TY - JOUR
T1 - Challenges and opportunities in augmentative and alternative communication
T2 - Research and technology development to enhance communication and participation for individuals with complex communication needs
AU - Light, Janice
AU - McNaughton, David
AU - Beukelman, David
AU - Fager, Susan Koch
AU - Fried-Oken, Melanie
AU - Jakobs, Thomas
AU - Jakobs, Erik
N1 - Funding Information:
This issue of AAC was spearheaded by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (The RERC on AAC)1, which is funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) in the US. It should be noted that AAC includes a wide range of unaided and aided strategies and techniques to support the communication and participation of individuals with complex communication needs. This issue has a specific focus on research and development related primarily (although not exclusively) to high-technology AAC supports; however, many of the issues discussed are relevant to other AAC supports as well. Furthermore, it is important to emphasize that AAC technologies are only one important factor in AAC intervention; they are by no means the only factor. Intervention is also essential to build an individual’s linguistic, operational, social, and strategic skills and to teach communication partners effective interaction strategies.
Funding Information:
The contents of this paper were developed under a grant to the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (The RERC on AAC) from the US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) grant # 90RE5017. The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the funding agency, and endorsement by the federal government should not be assumed.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019, © 2019 International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
PY - 2019/1/2
Y1 - 2019/1/2
N2 - The field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) has witnessed significant changes since its inception. AAC services are now considered for a much greater number of individuals with complex communication needs and there are many more AAC options available as communication supports, including a proliferation of technologies. The scope and options for communication within society have increased substantially to include a wide array of digital and social media. Individuals with complex communication needs have increased expectations for participation and engagement across a full range of environments—education, employment, family, healthcare, and community living. Despite these advances, there remain critical challenges that must be addressed. This paper discusses key advances in the AAC field, delineates challenges, and discusses future directions to address these challenges, specifically as they relate to research and development to enhance AAC interventions and technologies for individuals with complex communication needs and their families.
AB - The field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) has witnessed significant changes since its inception. AAC services are now considered for a much greater number of individuals with complex communication needs and there are many more AAC options available as communication supports, including a proliferation of technologies. The scope and options for communication within society have increased substantially to include a wide array of digital and social media. Individuals with complex communication needs have increased expectations for participation and engagement across a full range of environments—education, employment, family, healthcare, and community living. Despite these advances, there remain critical challenges that must be addressed. This paper discusses key advances in the AAC field, delineates challenges, and discusses future directions to address these challenges, specifically as they relate to research and development to enhance AAC interventions and technologies for individuals with complex communication needs and their families.
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U2 - 10.1080/07434618.2018.1556732
DO - 10.1080/07434618.2018.1556732
M3 - Comment/debate
C2 - 30648903
AN - SCOPUS:85060175842
SN - 0743-4618
VL - 35
SP - 1
EP - 12
JO - AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication
JF - AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication
IS - 1
ER -