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Updated: Jan 26, 2026

Assessment and Communication for People with Disorders of Consciousness
Published on: August 1, 2017
Innovations for Supporting Communication: Opportunities and Challenges for People with Complex Communication Needs
1Department of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, Trinity College, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland, mmsmith@tcd.ie.
Abstract:
Individuals with complex communication needs have benefited greatly from technological innovations over the past two decades, as well as from social movements that have shifted focus from disability to functioning and participation in society. Three strands of technological innovation are reviewed in this paper: (1) innovations in the tools that have become available, specifically tablet technologies; (2) innovations in access methods (eye gaze technologies and brain-computer interfaces); and (3) innovations in output, specifically speech technologies. The opportunities these innovations offer are explored, as are some of the challenges that they imply, not only for individuals with complex communication needs, but also for families, professionals, and researchers.
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