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 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.
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.