Overview

Attendees will be provided clinically relevant frameworks by which to consider alternative access decisions and learning for individuals with motor impairments. Useful information for both developmental and acquired conditions will be discussed through case studies and findings from recent research in this area. A focus on three areas related to motor access and AAC: 1) a framework in which to consider access and its potential demands on the individual in particular environments and activities, 2) a process to address alternative access needs while assessing AAC, 3) considerations of features available on current devices and how they may impact overall success.

Learning Objectives

1. Define two or more components to consider regarding the cognitive demands related to alternative access. 
2. Describe four step process to consider when assessing alternative access as part of an AAC system.
3. Identify two aspects to consider when deciding on features to support successful access.

Strand(s)

Augmentative and Alternative Communication; Research

Target Audience

Accessibility Professional; AT Specialists; Communication Specialist; Consultants/Trainers; Educators; Occupational Therapists; Physical Therapists; Rehabilitation Counselor; Speech-Language Pathologists; Special Education Educators

Experience Level

Introductory

Primary Life Cycle Addressed

All

Session Delivery Format

In-person presentation with live-stream

Course Schedule

This course was given at the ATIA 2024 Conference on Friday, January 26 from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EST)

Continuing Education Credits

For Satisfactory Completion and Continuing Education information, please visit: ATIA Online Education CEUs

This course is offered for the following CE Provider Credits:
ACVREP; AOTA; ASHA; CRC; IACET
For: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours

Speaker/s:

Dawn Sowers, PhD, CCC-SLP

Pennsylvania State University, AAC Research and Clinical Outreach Coordinator

Biography

Dawn Sowers is a licensed speech-language pathologist and part of the research faculty in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Penn State University. She works with individuals who may benefit from AAC tools and strategies, including those with concomitant motor impairments. Much of her research focuses on AAC system design including ways to support learning and mitigate the demands associated with alternative access.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Dawn’s salary is partially supported by a grant (2020-2025) from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90REGE0014) to the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (RERC on AAC).

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No