Abstract:

TESI project focuses on social integration of people with verbal communication disorders that are at risk of social isolation. It is dedicated to conceptualizing and development of social competence related to personal, social and professional development of people with verbal communication disorders through creation of adaptive, affordable and easy-to-use software system (TESI Tool) that will enrich their personal expression opportunities.

TESI Tool uses visual cues to help users overcome their communication deficiencies. Visual cues are stored in a common library and shared among users and carers, registered in the system. Users can create so-called expressions and instructions by arranging these visual cues on the screen of a tablet or a smartphone.

In this paper we present the result from the implementation of TESI project at Plovdiv University with students – future teachers. University students who study to be teachers are the fourth target group in TESI project. According to the pre-established criteria, 10 students have been selected to participate in the pilot. After initial training how to use TESI Tool, these students experimented to work with children with hearing impairments аt the Secondary School for Children with Hearing Impairment "Prof. Dr. Stoyan Belinov", Plovdiv by using this software.

Our research shows that the decision to include students – future teachers in the project is correct. They all believe that their experience to work with children with disabilities is of great benefit to their professional development. As future teachers, they recommend the use of mobile technology and especially of TESI Tool in education and assistance of children with disabilities. It can contribute to their socialization and integration into society.

Keywords:

Communication disorders, social inclusion, TESI project, mobile application.