Speech-to-Text Input

Description

Speech-to-Text Input enables peer mentors to dictate activity notes verbally rather than typing. The feature activates post-interaction during report writing only - live recording during visits is explicitly prohibited to preserve open conversation. This is especially important for users with motor impairments, low typing confidence, or high reporting volumes, reducing the documentation burden while maintaining accuracy and completeness.

Sources & reasoning

Line 88 provides the definitive specification: both HLF and Blindeforbundet want speech input for post-visit report writing, with Blindeforbundet prohibiting live recording to protect open conversation. Line 347 places this in Fase 2 of the roadmap. Blueprint assigns [v1.0] matching the Fase 2 ordinal mapping.

docs/source/likeperson.md · line 88

Begge organisasjoner ønsker mulighet for å snakke inn rapporter fremfor å skrive. Blindeforbundet understreker at opptak under selve samtalen er uønsket - tale-til-tekst er for etterpå, ved rapportskriving.
docs/source/likeperson.md · line 347

Tale-til-tekst i rapportskriving

Analysis

Business Value

Both HLF and Blindeforbundet identified speech-to-text as a significant need for users who find typing difficult or handle high report volumes. The feature reduces documentation effort, addressing underreporting from a different angle than UI simplification. Blindeforbundet's constraint that recording occurs only after the visit preserves trust in sensitive peer mentor conversations - a critical design boundary. Speech input also supports WCAG cognitive and motor accessibility by providing an alternative to text entry for users with physical or cognitive barriers.

Implementation Notes

Implemented via SpeechToTextWidget wrapping platform speech APIs (iOS SFSpeechRecognizer, Android SpeechRecognizer) through a Flutter plugin. The widget embeds in activity form text fields and activates only during report writing, never during session recording. SpeechToTextService manages microphone permissions, recognition lifecycle, and result streaming to text controllers. Clear visual feedback is shown during active listening, and users can review and edit recognized text before saving. Microphone permission requests include explanatory rationale text meeting platform and WCAG requirements.