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.
RERC on AAC at ATIA 2019
Many RERC Partners are scheduled to present at the ATIA 2019 Conference in Orlando, FL.
Hospitals as a language learning context for children with complex medical needs (Gormley et al., 2018)
At the 2018 ASHA Conference, Gormley and colleagues presented a case study of the language learning contexts observed during a hospital stay of a child with CCN.
Visual attention during search for a target on an AAC Display (O’Neill et al., 2018)
At the 2018 ASHA Conference, O’Neill and colleagues presented a study on the visual attention of individuals with developmental disabilities when viewing AAC displays.
Effects of video VSDs on modes of communication (Starr et al., 2018)
At the 2018 ASHA Conference, Starr and colleagues shared their findings on the effects of video VSDs on communication turns.
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).