AMANDA HYNAN FINAL THESIS PDF

the beginning of 2007 that totally integrated communication devices really started to
make their mark within the AAC industry which had particular significance for
individuals with severe mobility challenges. This technical development has particular
significance within the current study for two participants who had additional literacy
challenges by providing them with their first chance to use texting and email
independently as their integrated VOCAs allowed them to use their language
programmes and personalised access methods to create text messages or emails with
symbolised vocabulary.
As identified in the literature review, Brekke and von Tetzchner (2003) discuss how
one pathway for people who use AAC is to use pictographic representations that
gradually become more complex with the goal to achieve orthographic writing,
requiring formal teaching. This difference in approach to language acquisition and
possibly literacy development means that conventional instruction for teaching
reading and writing skills may not be applicable to people who use AAC who can
experience severe delay or never achieve literacy skills (Beukelman & Mirenda, 2005;
Erickson & Clendon, 2005).
It is important to remember that people who use AAC often have good
comprehension of spoken language but challenges in terms of literacy. The
development of software that allows users to access the functions of a computer on
their VOCA through symbol or text based vocabulary is opening up opportunities for
many people who use AAC to use online communication for the first time
independently. The software accesses a wide array of programmes such as text
messaging, email, music, games, internet browsing, and popular social media sites. It
is the reason why many of the participants within this study can now access the
internet and online social media through their VOCAs, which is revolutionising
access for those who have literacy challenges and limited mobility skills.
5.3.3. Human support to access and use digital technology and online
social media
An important causal condition is the human support given to people with complex
communication needs to use digital technology and online social media. Many of the
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