The form and use of written communication produced by physically disabled individuals using microcomputers

Abstract

The paper presents the findings of a study which analyzed the written communication output of 6 congenitally, physically disabled individuals (between the ages of 13 and 22 years) who were originally trained in the use of Blissymbols for face-to-face communication and later made the transition to traditional orthography. All written output produced by each subject using a microcomputer over a 4-week period was collected and analyzed in terms of its form and use. Results indicated that these individuals used written communication to fulfill a range of purposes including homework, letter writing, and self expression. They were relatively successful in utilizing appropriate sentence structure and morphology. Implications of the findings with respect to the related literature and clinical intervention are discussed. Directions for future research are suggested.

• adolescents
• augmentative and alternative communication
• literacy skills
• microcomputers
• written communication
• young adults