New and emerging access technologies for adults with complex communication needs and severe motor impairments: State of the science
Open accessAbstract
Individuals with complex communication needs often use alternative access technologies to control their augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, their computers, and mobile technologies. While a range of access devices is available, many challenges continue to exist, particularly for those with severe motor-control limitations. For some, access options may not be readily available or access itself may be inaccurate and frustrating. For others, access may be available but only under optimal conditions and support. There is an urgent need to develop new options for individuals with severe motor impairments and to leverage existing technology to improve efficiency, increase accuracy, and decrease fatigue of access. This paper describes person-centred research and development activities related to new and emerging access technologies, with a particular focus on adults with acquired neurological conditions.
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Existing augmentative and assistive communication technologies such as head or eye trackers have low information transfer rates and become increasingly difficult to use as patients lose voluntary muscle control.
“While existing augmentative and assistive communication technologies such as head or eye trackers are available, they have low information transfer rates and become increasingly difficult to use as patients lose voluntary muscle control 5 .”
From An Accurate and Rapidly Calibrating Speech Neuroprosthesis (2024) · cites this paper as [5]
The Abstract identifies head and eye tracking as existing AAC access methods, and The Challenges of Access says options may become unavailable in late-stage degenerative conditions. The Eye Tracking Plus Switch Scanning section also describes difficulties with eye tracking, but calls switch scanning—not head or eye tracking—slow. The paper does not establish low information-transfer rates for head or eye trackers generally. (LLM, conf=0.86)
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References 71 · Cited by 107
Research works printed but not linked: 4
- Ball L, Nordness A, Fager S, Kersch K, Pattee G, & Beukelman D (2010). Eye gaze access of AAC technology for persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Journal of Medical Speech Language Pathology, 18, 11– 23. Retrieved from https://www.atia.org/wp.../Research_Article-Eye_Gaze_Access_ALS_4AF258B.doc
- Fager SK, Jakobs T, & Sorenson T (2018, 1). Multimodal input to enhance access to technology. Paper presented at the annual Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) conference Orlando, FL.
- Fried-Oken M, Jakobs E, & Jakobs T (2018, 1). Smart Predict: AAC app that integrates partner knowledge into word prediction. Paper presented at the annual Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) conference Orlando, FL.
- Higginbotham DJ, & Wilkins DP (1999). Slipping through the time stream: Social issues of time and timing in augmented interactions In: Kovarsky D, Duchan J, & Maxwell M Eds.), Constructing (in)competence: Disabling evaluations in clinical and social interactions. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates: Mahwah, NJ 49– 82.
- Authors
- Koch Fager, S., Fried-Oken, M., Jakobs, T., & Beukelman, D. R.
- Affiliations
- Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals, Lincoln, NE, USA;
- Oregon Health & Science University (US)
- Invotek (US)
- Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital (US)
- Venue
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2019-01-02
- Volume
- 35
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 13-25
- ISSN
- 0743-4618 (ISSN-L)
- 1477-3848
- PMC
- PMC6436971
- OpenAlex
- W2914315283
- Cited by
- 107
- References
- 71
- Citations by year
- 2026: 17 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 8
- FWCI
- 19.74
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (34, 94)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Gaze Tracking and Assistive Technology
- Social Sciences › Human Factors and Ergonomics › Digital Accessibility for Disabilities
- Keywords
- access technologies, severe motor impairment, complex communication needs, adults, assistive technology, person-centred design
- MeSH terms
- Motor Disorders, Wearable Electronic Devices, Locked-In Syndrome, Adult, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Communication Devices for People with Disabilities, Communication Disorders, Dysarthria, Eye Movements, Humans, Severity of Illness Index, Stroke, Speech Recognition Software, Eye Movement Measurements, Inventions, Brain-Computer Interfaces
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