CoPracTter: Toward Integrating Personalized Practice Scenarios, Timely Feedback and Social Support into An Online Support Tool for Coping with Stuttering in China

Abstract

Stuttering is a speech disorder influencing over 70 million people worldwide, including 13 million in China. It causes low self-esteem among other detrimental effects on people who stutter (PwS). Although prior work has explored approaches to assist PwS, they primarily focused on western contexts. In our formative study, we found unique practices and challenges among Chinese PwS. We then iteratively designed an online tool, CoPracTter, to support Chinese PwS practicing speaking fluency with 1) targeted stress-inducing practice scenarios, 2) real-time speech indicators, and 3) personalized timely feedback from the community. We further conducted a seven-day deployment study (N=11) to understand how participants utilized these key features. Results indicate that personalized practice with targeted scenarios and timely feedback from a supportive community, which was appreciated more than quantitative indicators, assisted PwS in speaking fluently, staying positive, and facing similar real-life circumstances. Finally, we present design implications for better supporting PwS.

Zeyu Xiong

MPhil Candidate

My research interests include Human-Computer Interaction, Accessibility, Ubiquitous Computing and Computer Music.