Challenges and opportunities in augmentative and alternative communication: Research and technology development to enhance communication and participation for individuals with complex communication needs

Abstract

The field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) has witnessed significant changes since its inception. AAC services are now considered for a much greater number of individuals with complex communication needs and there are many more AAC options available as communication supports, including a proliferation of technologies. The scope and options for communication within society have increased substantially to include a wide array of digital and social media. Individuals with complex communication needs have increased expectations for participation and engagement across a full range of environments—education, employment, family, healthcare, and community living. Despite these advances, there remain critical challenges that must be addressed. This paper discusses key advances in the AAC field, delineates challenges, and discusses future directions to address these challenges, specifically as they relate to research and development to enhance AAC interventions and technologies for individuals with complex communication needs and their families.

Keywords:

• AAC
• assistive technology
• disability
• research and development

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

This paper is part of a special issue of the AAC Journal on the State of the Science.

Notes

1 The RERC on AAC is a research, development, training, and dissemination centre (http://rerc-aac.org) with the mission to advance knowledge, improve technology solutions, increase evidence-based practice, and build capacity in AAC to improve outcomes for individuals who have complex communication needs and require AAC.

2 Facebook is an online social networking and media service. For further information, visit www.facebook.com

3 Instagram is a social networking service that supports photo and video sharing; it is owned by Facebook. For further information, visit www.instagram.com

4 Twitter is an online social and news network in which users post short messages or tweets; for further information, see twitter.com

5 In 2017, a 3-day AAC Doctoral Student Think Tank was hosted by the RERC on AAC to build future capacity in AAC research and development. The think tank brought together 22 doctoral students from 14 different universities across the US to network with each other, interact with leaders in the field, and work on developing important and productive lines of research and development (for further information, visit Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Augmentative and Communication (2017). The Doctoral Student AAC Research Think Tank. Retrieved from https://sites.psu.edu/aacthinktank/).

Additional information

Funding

The contents of this paper were developed under a grant to the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (The RERC on AAC) from the US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) grant # 90RE5017. The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the funding agency, and endorsement by the federal government should not be assumed.