You are viewing the website for the aac-rerc, which was funded by NIDRR from 2008-2013.
For information on the new RERC on AAC, funded by NIDILRR from 2014-2019, please visit rerc-aac.psu.edu.
Webcasts
We have 20 webcasts available for use, including Research to Practice, Consumer Perspectives, and Professional Development Resources.
Research to Practice |
AAC-RERC researchers provide information (illustrated with video clips) on evidence-based AAC interventions |
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AAC Interventions to Maximize Language Development for Young ChildrenJanice Light (Penn State University) describes the components of effective interventions for young children who use AAC. |
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Maximizing the Literacy Skills of Individuals who Require AACJanice Light (Penn State University) describes the components of effective literacy interventions for individuals who require AAC. |
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Employment and Individuals who use AACDavid McNaughton and Anthony Arnold share research findings on key supports to employment for individuals who use AAC, and describe the employment success stories of a variety of individuals who use AAC. |
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AAC for Aphasia: A Review of Visual Scenes Display ProjectDavid Beukelman (University of Nebraska) describes recent research on effective AAC interventions for adults with Aphasia.
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Supporting Communication of Individuals with Minimal MovementSusan Fager (Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital) and David Beukelman (University of Nebraska) describe AAC interventions for individuals with minimal movement (e.g., brainstem stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Guillan Barre’ Syndrome, and chronic myasthenia gravis). |
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AAC and Communication in the WorkplaceDavid McNaughton (Penn State University) and David Chapple ( Prentke Romich Company) use a series of case examples, with video illustrations, to demonstrate that individuals who require AAC can achieve positive employment outcomes.
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Visual Immersion Program (VIP) for Individuals with AutismHoward Shane and Meghan O'Brien (Children's Hospital Boston) discuss the use of the Visual Immersion Program to teach expression and receptive language skills to individuals with autism. |
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Supporting Successful Transitions for Individuals who use AAC.David McNaughton (Penn State University) describes key supports to successful transitions for individual who use AAC |
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AAC for Persons with Primary Progressive Aphasia
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Consumer Perspectives |
Individuals who use AAC discuss the impact of AAC on their lives, and make recommendations to professionals on components of effective interventions |
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How Far We've Come, How Far We've Got to Go: Tales from the TrenchesMichael B. Williams (ACI), a long time practitioner of the art of augmented communication uses historical biography to elucidate many of the key social and technological issues in AAC today. |
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AAC: A User's PerspectiveColin Portnuff talks about receiving his diagnosis - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) - and the application of speech and voice technology in AAC. |
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AAC and College Life: Just Do It!Beth Anne Luciani (California University of Pennsylvania) describes the benefits and the challenges of college life for individuals who use AAC. |
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Disaster Preparedness for People with Complex Communication NeedsPamela Kennedy describes the steps for emergency preparation that are critical for all individuals with complex communication needs. |
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Professional Development |
Presentations on issues related to AAC interventions |
An Introduction to the Use of AAC for Children with Complex Communication NeedsThis introductory level webcast on "AAC and Children" by Kathy Drager, Janice Light, and David McNaughton (Penn State University) is designed as an introduction to the use of AAC |
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Overview of the Health-based Funding Programs that Cover Speech Generating DevicesLew Golinker (AT Law Center) provides an overview of funding issues in AAC. |
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Seating and Positioning for Individuals who use ATAileen Costigan (Penn State University) provides an introduction to important issues in seating and positioning for individuals who use assistive technology (AT). |
Adding Projects for People with Disabilities to Engineering Design ClassesKevin Caves describes strategies he has used for adding projects for people with disabilities to engineering design classes. |
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Public School Students: Who Can Pay for SGDs?Lew Golinker ( AT Law Center) describes funding options for public school students who need a speech generating device. |
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Patient-Provider
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Mobile Devices and Communication Apps: Current Trends and Future Directions
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Language and learning: Cognitive science considerations in the design of AAC technologies for children and adultsDr. Melanie Fried-Oken (Oregon Health & Science University) and Dr. Janice Light (Penn State University) present on cognitive science considerations in the design of AAC technologies for children and adults. |
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Adaptive Access: Key Design ConsiderationsDr. Susan Fager (University of Nebraska at Lincoln) and Jeff Higginbotham (State University of New York at Buffalo) present on Key Design Considerations for People with Communication, Motor, and Cognitive Challenges. |