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.
Supporting displaced talk through video VSD technology (Caron et al., 2018)
Caron et al. (2018) explored the use of video VSD technology to support an individual with ASD when asked, “What have you been doing?”
Using dynamic text to promote sight word learning in individuals with ASD (Caron et al., 2018)
At the 2018 RERC on AAC State of the Science Conference, Caron et al. presented their findings on the effects of dynamic text and speech output on sight word learning for individuals with ASD.
Effect of VSDs with dynamic text on single word reading in adults with intellectual disabilities (Holyfield et al., 2018)
At the 2018 RERC on AAC State of the Science Conference, Holyfield et al. presented their findings on the use of VSDs with dynamic text Effect of VSDs with dynamic text on single word reading in adults with intellectual disabilities (Holyfield
Dynamic text in VSDs: Supporting word reading in a preschooler with ASD (Mandak et al., 2018)
At the 2018 RERC on AAC State of the Science Conference, Mandak et al. presented their findings on the effects of dynamic text in VSDs on sight word learning for a preschooler with ASD.
Using video VSDs to increase participation during community activities (O’Neill et al., 2018)
At the 2018 RERC on AAC State of the Science Conference, O’Neill et al. presented their findings on using video VSDs to increase participation during community activities for an adolescent with ASD.
SmartPredict: AAC app that integrates partner knowledge into word prediction (Fried-Oken et al., 2018)
At the 2018 RERC on AAC State of the Science Conference, Fried-Oken et al. presented their findings on SmartPredict, a novel app that integrates partner knowledge into word prediction.
Effect of Query Length and Prospect Symbol Confidence in EEG-based Typing Systems (Gonzalez−Navarro et al., 2018)
At the 2018 RERC on AAC State of the Science Conference, Gonzalez-Navarro et al. presented their findings on how to maximize the typing speed and accuracy for BCI typing systems.
Effects of Video VSDs on Communication Turns with Individuals with ASD (Caron et al., 2018)
At the 2018 RERC on AAC State of the Science Conference, Caron et al. presented their findings on using video VSDs during a shared leisure activity for individuals with ASD.
Visual cognitive processing demands of keyboard layouts for individuals with and without TBI (Fager et al., 2016)
At the 2018 RERC on AAC State of the Science Conference, Fager et al. presented their findings on the visual-cognitive processing demands of keyboard layouts for individuals with and without TBI.
Effects of Video VSDs on Communication during Play (Laubscher et al., 2018)
At the 2018 RERC on AAC State of the Science Conference, Laubscher et al. presented their findings on the use of video VSDs during interactive play for a child with ASD.