AAC for Adults with Acquired Neurological Conditions

David Beukelman, Susan Fager, Laura Ball, and Aimee Dietz (USA)

 

Recent advances in AAC for six groups of people with degenerative and chronic acquired neurological conditions are detailed. AAC technological advances, acceptance, use, limitations, and future needs of individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), traumatic brain injury (TBI), brainstem impairment, severe, chronic aphasia and apraxia of speech, primary progressive aphasia (PPA), and dementia are discussed.  This review

documents the increased use of  AAC  by persons with neurological conditions as compared to data collected in the 1990s. This pattern is particularly strong for persons with ALS, TBI, and brainstem impairment. AAC use by persons with aphasia and dementia is gradually increasing, as new low and high technology strategies are introduced for these individuals. Of course, much needs to be done to reduce the cognitive/linguistic load for these adults with complex communication needs, to reduce the learning demands on AAC facilitators, and to enhance use in less that optimal communication conditions.

 

 

Access to AAC: Present, Past, and Future

Jeff Higginbotham, Howard Shane, and Susanne Russell (USA)

 

As we move forward into the new century, significant scientific and technical progress in AAC make it necessary to reconceptualize what AAC access means. This article presents a new framework for thinking about access in augmentative communication, reviews several new technological developments in this area, then discusses some of the current challenges that confront the AAC community and what we must do to eliminate communication access barriers for individuals with complex communication needs.

 

 

Enhancing AAC Connections With the world

Frank Deruyter, David McNaughton, Kevin Caves, Diane Bryen, and

Michael Williiams (USA)

 

The rapid development of the internet and other wireless technologies has created new opportunities for inter-personal communication and for accessing information. New devices make it easy to send text messages using cell phone technology, to obtain driving instructions using global positioning systems, or to browse the internet using laptop computers and a Wi-Fi connection.

 

 Significant barriers, however, have prevented many individuals who use AAC from accessing this technology and from participating fully in today’s “Information Society.” For the individual who uses AAC, easy access to a computer is even more important than for individuals without a disability, as computer access often provides the only way to perform desired activities. Full access to cell phone technology, email, web browsers, e-commerce, and e-books are all activities that require digital independence. These are fundamental communication activities in the 21st century, and are necessary for full participation in schools, the workplace, and community living.

 

Abascal and Nicolle (2005) have observed that “Technology does not evolve by itself towards the production of more accessible computers. It is necessary that social and political factors gain influence over this process” (p.484). In this paper we discuss suggested roles and activities for six key 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. The goal is that “the AAC device becomes the digital curb cut to other more mainstream technologies” (Williams, 2005), and that individuals who use AAC enjoy complete access to a full range of digital technologies and applications.