RERC on AAC
The RERC on AAC is a collaborative center committed to advancing knowledge and producing innovative engineering solutions in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The RERC on AAC will support a research and development program that addresses three areas of rehabilitation science and engineering:
- Improving access to technologies through exploration of innovative approaches and through integration of multi-modalities;
- Developing innovative language support technologies, including natural language processing and computer-mediation, to support effective communication for children and adults with limited access to language;
- Improving the human computer interface to reduce cognitive visual processing demands and enhance communication performance.
We also will support a range of training and dissemination activities. Our goal is that the AAC technologies and knowledge generated by the RERC on AAC will enable individuals with complex communication needs to achieve the basic human right of communication, and to maximize their participation in education, employment, health and community activities.
Exploring child-parent-provider communication on an inpatient rehabilitation unit (Gormley et al., 2018)
At the 2018 ASHA Conference, Gormley et al. shared their findings of the interactions between a child with CCN, her parents, and health care providers on an inpatient rehabilitation unit.
Effects of video VSDs on the communication of adolescents with CCN during vocational tasks (Babb et al., 2018)
At the 2018 ASHA Conference, Babb et al. presented their findings on the impact of video VSD technology on the communication of adolescents with CCN during a vocational task.
Effects of the T2L feature on sight word reading for preschoolers with ASD (Mandak et al., 2018)
Mandak et al. (2018) investigate the effects of a new software feature, dynamic text and speech output, on the acquisition of sight words by three pre-literate preschoolers with ASD.
Effects of Video VSDs on Communication during Play (Laubscher et al., 2018)
At the 2018 ASHA Conference, Laubscher et al. presented their findings on the use of video VSDs during interactive play for a child with ASD.
RERC on AAC at ASHA 2018
Many RERC Partners are scheduled to present at the ASHA 2018 Convention in Boston, MA.
Update from the RERC on AAC State of the Science Conference (2018)
On Friday, July 13, 2018, the RERC on AAC held its State of the Science conference in Arlington, Virginia (near Washington, DC).
NIDILRR 40th Anniversary Celebration
On October 18, 2018, Janice Light will present a poster on research and development activities for Visual Scene Displays (VSDs) and video VSDs as part of the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) in Washington, DC.
Effect of a Training using Video VSDs On Peers’ Interpretations of Presymbolic Communication (Holyfield et al., 2018)
Holyfield et al. (2018) investigate the impact of an AAC training on typically-developing peers’ interpretations of presymbolic communication from students with multiple disabilities.
Training education professionals to use the PECS: A review of the literature (McCoy & McNaughton, 2018)
McCoy and McNaughton (2018) review the available research on teaching education professionals to use PECS.
Using video VSDs during vocational activities for an adolescent with ASD (Babb et al., 2018)
Babb et al. (2018) investigate the impact of video VSD technology on participation of an adolescent with ASD during vocational activities.