TY - JOUR
T1 - Enhancing AAC connections with the world
AU - DeRuyter, Frank
AU - McNaughton, David
AU - Caves, Kevin
AU - Bryen, Diane Nelson
AU - Williams, Michael B.
N1 - Funding Information:
One way to address the challenge of promoting collaboration among a small number of geographically dispersed researchers is to create ‘‘virtual’’ research teams that collaborate through the Internet and other distance communication technologies. This approach has been successfully implemented in the AAC field. In 1998, funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Communication Enhancement (AAC-RERC) was established. This collaboration brought together individuals with AAC research and development expertise in the areas of rehabilitation engineering, speech pathology, special education, and disability studies in a partnership with users of AAC and the manufacturing community. This effort has led to the development of new AAC technologies (McKelvey, Dietz, Hux, Weissling, & Beukelman, in press; Light, Drager, & Nemsor, 2004); strategies for training (Blackstone, 2005); the development of standards for interoperability (Caves & DeRuyter, 2005); and research into emerging needs within the field (Rackensperger et al., 2005). In order to ensure the development of appropriate technical solutions, the research community must continue to collaborate and to communicate the needs and abilities of individuals who use AAC to other key stakeholders, especially manufacturers and those involved in public policy.
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - The availability of new technologies has changed how we control devices, exchange information, and communicate with others. Significant barriers, however, have prevented many individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) from accessing the technology and computer-based activities available in today's "Information Society." In this paper we discuss the benefits and challenges to increased interoperability between AAC and mainstream technologies. We outline suggested roles and activities for six stakeholder groups: (a) individuals who use AAC, (b) individuals who assist in selecting and supporting use of AAC devices, (c) AAC researchers, (d) AAC device manufacturers, (e) mainstream application developers and technology manufacturers, and (f) public policy makers. We also provide suggestions for future research, public policy, and technical development.
AB - The availability of new technologies has changed how we control devices, exchange information, and communicate with others. Significant barriers, however, have prevented many individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) from accessing the technology and computer-based activities available in today's "Information Society." In this paper we discuss the benefits and challenges to increased interoperability between AAC and mainstream technologies. We outline suggested roles and activities for six stakeholder groups: (a) individuals who use AAC, (b) individuals who assist in selecting and supporting use of AAC devices, (c) AAC researchers, (d) AAC device manufacturers, (e) mainstream application developers and technology manufacturers, and (f) public policy makers. We also provide suggestions for future research, public policy, and technical development.
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U2 - 10.1080/07434610701553387
DO - 10.1080/07434610701553387
M3 - Article
C2 - 17701744
AN - SCOPUS:34548139421
SN - 0743-4618
VL - 23
SP - 258
EP - 270
JO - AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication
JF - AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication
IS - 3
ER -