We are anticipating that 2012 will be a busy and exciting year for the AAC Evidence Base project!
The research team at the University of Sheffield and Barnsley Hospital are using questionnaires, interviews and focus groups to gather data about the need for AAC and about AAC service provision in the UK. We will be presenting at a range of events and conferences during the year and will be sharing the findings as they emerge.
Manchester Metropolitan University has held a series of focus groups looking at the structure and content of the AAC Evidence Base website. These focus groups have involved people who use AAC, family members, professionals who work with people who use AAC and commercial companies that supply AAC services or products. A specification for the website is being developed by Communication Matters and the University. The AAC Evidence Base is planned to go live online in September this year.
Manchester Metropolitan University is also developing a case study template that will make it easier to capture and publish information about AAC, such as how it is being used and by whom, and what works well for different people.
An article on the systematic literature review will be published in the International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders later this year. The review was referenced in the final report on specialised AAC provision by the Office of the Communication Champion and Council (November 2011).
If you are a person who uses AAC, a family member, carer or practitioner, and would like to participate in AAC research then please visit the Research Involvement Network webpage www.communicationmatters.org.uk/page/research-involvement-network for more information or contact the Research Manager.
For more information...
- visit www.communicationmatters.org.uk/research
- or email Katie Holmes, Research Manager on katieholmes@communicationmatters.org.uk
AAC Evidence Base Project
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Latest News - January 2012
Project Summary
The AAC Evidence Base research project is a three-year project funded by the National Lottery through Big Lottery Fund. A grant of £467,751 was awarded to Communication Matters in December 2009. Communication Matters is leading the project and working with three research partners: the University of Sheffield, Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Manchester Metropolitan University. The research work started on 14 June 2010.
This groundbreaking project will provide fundamental information about the need for, and provision of, AAC which can be used to improve services across the UK. It will provide access to current knowledge in an online AAC Evidence Base which will present information in a variety of accessible formats. Access to this information will help professionals to improve their services and individuals will be empowered to say what they need. Communication Matters will establish a Research Involvement Network that will promote the involvement of people who use AAC in research.
For more information you can download more details about this research project (PDF) or email Katie Holmes, Research Manager: katieholmes@communicationmatters.org.uk
Project Leaflet
A leaflet about the project is now available for download (please contact the Research Manager for printed copies):
- Research project leaflet (pdf)
Press Releases
- UK leads the way with launch of Research Involvement Network - January 2012 (pdf)
- Essential Research into Communication Needs (Naidex 2011) - April 2011 (pdf)
- Communication Matters Awarded Lottery Grant for Essential Research - December 2009 (pdf)
News Archive
See also: