Goals

The goals of this projects are to:

1) develop AAC technology design specifications that integrate features to facilitate listener roles in co-creation of meaning (co-construction of messages) with the AAC user,

2) develop prototype AAC technology to support co-creation of meaning, and

3) evaluate the prototype, compared to low- and high- technology strategies without these features.

Progress To Date

The design features to support listener enhanced roles were developed and were used to support 3 development efforts.

First, these design features were included in the design of the Visual Scene Display Application that is described in a webcast accessible on the WEBSITE section of this website.

Second, a number of these features were included in the low-tech Visual Scenes Display templates which are available at http://aac.unl.edu.

Third, a prototype was developed to allow people who rely AAC technology to access an AAC application simultaneously with an AAC specialist or AAC facilitator. This technology has been used in three studies designed to develop AAC operational competence by young children and by AAC facilitators.

Next Steps

Investigations of the use of a dual screen strategy are ongoing, These involve young children, AAC facilitators, and adults with complex communication needs.

Publications

Quach, W., Ball, L., Rupp, D., & Beukelman, D. (2006). A Computer Software Prototype for Monitoring Speech Motor Learning Performance in (Childhood) Apraxia of Speech. Journal of Medical Speech Language Pathology. 14, 285-290.

Quach, W. & Beukelman, D. (in preparation). Developing AAC operational competence using dual-screen technology.

Presentations

Quach, W., Beukelman, D., Prentice, C., & Black, C. (2006). Use of dual screen AAC prototype to enhance learning efficiency. American Speech Language Hearing Association Convention,

Quach, W., & Beukelman, D. (2008). Facilitating Children's Learning of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems. International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Montreal, Canada.

Quach, W., & Beukelman, D. (2008). Facilitating Children’s Learning of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems Using Dual-Screen Technology, DAAC: Research Conference, San Diego, CA.

Quach, W., & Beukelman, D. (2008). Young children learning of dynamic display systems. American Speech Language Hearing Convention.