AAC Evidence Base Research Project: December 2011 Update

The Communication Matters Research Involvement Networkaims to support and encourage research into AAC in the UK by building a list of people who are interested in taking part in research. We launched the Research Involvement Network at the Communication Matters conference in September and we are currently recruiting members. If you are a person who uses AAC, a family member, carer or practitioner, and wish to participate in AAC research, then please visit the research involvement webpage www.communicationmatters.org.uk/page/research-involvement-network for more information or contact Katie Holmes, Research Manager (pictured at right with Research Lead, Dave Morgan).

The Independent Research Panel (IRP) provides advice and support to Communication Matters for the AAC Evidence Base project as well as for its other research activities. The Panel currently meets twice a year in London. It has eight members from the AAC community representing parents, professional carers, commercial organisations, academia, professionals, commissioners and the wider world of Assistive Technology. We are seeking to recruit someone who uses AAC to join the panel – if you are interested, or know anyone who might be please contact the Research Manager for more information.

The winner of the post-conference prize draw was Justin Drew who completed a survey and won a Marks & Spencer gift card.

The AAC Evidence Base research project is a three-year project funded by the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund. Communication Matters is leading the project and working with three research partners: University of Sheffield, Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Manchester Metropolitan University. The project will produce fundamental evidence of 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.

For more information…