AMANDA HYNAN FINAL THESIS PDF

Chapter 1
Introduction
This thesis adds new knowledge to the field of augmentative and alternative
communication (AAC), firstly by re-dressing the specific gap within the United
Kingdom literature base for the self-reported experiences of using the internet and
online social media by young people who, due to physical disabilities and complex
communication needs, choose to use AAC to support their total communication
strategies. Secondly, through the development of a grounded theory of internet and
online social media use by young people who use AAC to explore whether outcome
measures focused on social inclusion within community environments may be
applicable to perceptions of social inclusion within virtual communities.
1.1. Structure of the thesis
The thesis is divided into seven chapters. Chapter One informs the reader of the
structure of the thesis and provides an explanation of the impetus and significance of
the study. It also articulates the research aim and philosophical position taken before
finishing with an explanation of why particular terminology is used within the main
body of the thesis. Chapter Two reviews the literature within a quadripartite format:
part one gives an overview of the field of AAC to contextualize issues of
communicative interaction within face-to-face environments. This will orientate the
reader to factors that impact on the research design and illustrate how online
communication may be of particular relevance for people who use AAC. Part two
outlines the historical development of AAC to place the specialist communication
technology within the broader societal frame of mainstream technology. Part three
traces issues relating to internet and online social media use by young people,
including those with disabilities, in order to: draw attention to the rights of people
with disabilities to access mainstream technology, indicate how popular the internet
and online social media are within youth populations, and offer a brief exploration of
certain psychological and sociological topics from an online perspective. Part four
gives a summary of the small literature base that is beginning to develop within
different countries looking specifically at self-reported experiences of using the
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