People with speech disabilities may use speech generating devices to facilitate their speech, aka Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) technology. This technology enables practical conversation; however it remains challenging to deliver expressive and timely comments. In this paper, we study how AAC technology can facilitate such speech, through AI powered interfaces. We focus on the least predictable and most high-paced type: humorous comments. We conducted seven qualitative interviews with people with speech disabilities, and performed thematic analysis to gain in-depth insights in usage and challenges of AAC technology, and the role humor plays for them. We designed four simple AI powered interfaces to create humorous comments. In a user study with five participants with speech disabilities, these interfaces allowed us to study how to best support making well-timed humorous comments. We conclude with a discussion of recommendations for interface design based on both studies.

翻译：言语障碍人士可能使用语音生成设备来辅助其言语表达，即辅助与替代沟通技术。该技术虽能实现实用性对话，但如何传递富有表现力且适时的评论仍具挑战性。本文通过AI赋能界面，研究AAC技术如何促进此类言语表达。我们聚焦于最不可预测且节奏最快的类型：幽默评论。通过对七名言语障碍人士的质性访谈及主题分析，深入探究了AAC技术的使用现状、现存挑战以及幽默表达对其的意义。我们设计了四款简易的AI赋能界面以生成幽默评论。在针对五名言语障碍参与者的用户研究中，这些界面帮助我们探索如何最优支持适时幽默评论的生成。最后，我们结合两项研究结果对界面设计提出了建议性讨论。