AAC-RERC Themes

Connecting AAC Technology More Seamlessly to the World

The New Freedom Initiative stresses access to technology, education, employment, community involvement, and political activity. Ongoing changes in computer, information, and telecommunications technology offer vital opportunities for persons with disabilities; but these same changes also pose significant barriers for people with disabilities. New technologies and electronic communication media hold great promise for individuals with disabilities, but most AAC devices are not easily interfaced with information technology (IT). Review of the reports from the AAC-RERC's 2001 State of the Science Conference, Demand/Pull Conference, and ACOLUG discussions reveals a need for this technology. People do not have instant phone connections for emergency, on demand device service and support, location-specific information, and service. People with disabilities face many barriers, including technological hurdles, security, privacy, and access to emerging wireless technologies. The AAC-RERC will need to play an ongoing role in legislation, advocacy, standards, and research and development underway. This theme impacts nearly all AAC consumers as they strive to engage a world that is increasingly interconnected electronically.

The following projects are associated with this theme:

• R1-C: Specialized AAC Vocabulary Research
• R3-B: Communication Performance Assessment: Monitoring/Simulating AAC
• D1-A: Technology and Policy Watch
• D3-A: AAC WebCrawling-Communication Content from the Internet