AMANDA HYNAN FINAL THESIS PDF

Chapter 6
Conclusions
6.1. Conclusions
This research shows a strong desire among young people who use AAC to use the
internet and online social media. It has shown that despite much diversity in
individual profile there are many different levels at which young people who use
AAC can digitally engage through collaboration and technical support. The issues and
arguments for using the internet and online social media for distance communication
mirror many of the issues that arise in discussions of VOCA technology for face-toface
communication. The AAC field is certainly starting to take the issue of
interconnectivity with the wider world very seriously but little research has sought the
perspectives and experiences of using the internet and online social media by young
people who use AAC.
The long fight to have the right to communicate recognised as fundamental for people
who use AAC by the Department of Health (2012) is very important. Steps must
ensure that the scope of communication within the 21 st century, where being digitally
excluded puts people at a heightened risk of being socially excluded, is considered
within this new framework of intervention. Evidence is important for people who use
AAC, their families, professionals and organisations when seeking to justify the
funding of equipment and will be increasingly relevant to ensure the recommendation
of The Clinical Advisory Group for Prescribed Services Report (DoH, 2012) that
VOCAs should be nationally commissioned from April 2013 becomes a reality.
The new knowledge that has emerged from this study has demonstrated the perceived
benefits the internet and online social media have for perceptions of social inclusion.
It was possible to map the outcome measurements devised within studies of
community inclusion suggested by Milner and Kelly (2009) and Mahar et al. (2013)
and demonstrate crossover within their five antecedents into the consequences
perceived from being online. The ICF-CY seeks to understand how environmental
factors impact on the ways in which young people live and conduct their lives
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