AMANDA HYNAN FINAL THESIS PDF

wirelessly through Bluetooth technology allowing the VOCA to act like a remote
control. All of the participants, except one, using these types of access methods for
mainstream computers were literate.
There is a substantial body of research that has identified the importance of literacy
for people who use AAC across many fields (Light & McNaughton, 2012). Literacy is
a key skill and focused teaching has been identified as vital for those who use AAC
(Horton, Horton & Meyers, 2001; Sturm, 2002; Sturm & Clendon, 2004;
McNaughton & Bryen 2007; Light & McNaughton, 2012). Randy Horton comments
that non-disabled children get intensive literacy training in schools which was not his
experience within his special educational setting (Horton et al. 2001). Kelford and
Smith (1993, cited by Beukelman and Mirenda, 2005), found self-help and
communication skills can often take priority over literacy training for children who
use AAC.
This study illustrates that literacy can increase opportunities for using the internet and
online social media which supports previous research suggesting targeted literacy
training should be an issue of prioritisation within the AAC field (Horton et al. 2001;
Smith, 2006; Light & McNaughton, 2012). Trembath, Balandin, Stancliffe and
Togher (2010) found
“literacy was a major factor determining the extent to which the participants were
able to express themselves clearly” (p. 82)
making it easier for people who use AAC to initiate and engage with volunteering
activities. Light, Stoltz and McNaughton (1996) found it increased employment
opportunities.
5.3.2. Availability of mainstream technology on integrated VOCAs
Four participants who relied on indirect access reported using the integrated
computers on their VOCAs. Chapple (2011) describes how the integration of
mainstream computer technology within the VOCA device market started tentatively
during the 1990s and in 2000 with the [named VOCA] that ran under the Windows
CE format and offered mobile phone integration. It provided the first step towards the
fully computer integrated VOCAs that are seen on the market today. He explains at
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