People with speech, communication, and physical disabilities experience profound social isolation, marginalization, and participation restrictions.
Dr. Davies will explore how inclusion and engagement can be enhanced through the development of guidelines for augmentative and alternative communication technology.
People with speech, communication, and physical disabilities experience profound social isolation, marginalization, and participation restrictions. Their exclusion from participation in gainful employment has been particularly problematic. Research evidence indicates that technologies and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems support social interaction and communication in diverse settings and can enable far greater participation.
The research project will seek consensus on AAC guidelines in a participatory process, involving people with disabilities, users of AAC systems and professionals working in the areas of AAC and employment; and enhance participation in gainful employment. These guidelines can be used in the development of AAC technology to ensure equitable inclusion in employment for Canadians with disabilities.
