Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 25, 2025
Computerized Adaptive Testing System of Functional Assessment of Stroke
Published on: January 7, 2019
A survey on the awareness, accessibility and funding for augmentative and alternative communication services and
Nada A M Alsari1, Alaa M Alshair2, Sarah A Almalik2
1Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Purpose:
To develop and distribute a survey to obtain information on the awareness, accessibility and funding for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services and devices within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
Method:
The survey targeted three groups of people which included individuals with disabilities and their families, healthcare providers such as medical doctors and nurses and the third group included community members. Survey preparation and administration were performed online via a survey website in order to access a wide range of participants across KSA.
Results:
Results revealed different awareness levels for AAC among the three groups (χ2 = 45.053, p < .001) with healthcare providers showing a higher degree of awareness compared to the remaining two groups. Moreover, AAC services and devices were found to be accessible within KSA, with no differences in obtaining AAC services and devices among different regions (χ2 = 14.204, p = .164).
Conclusion:
Although numerous AAC users were able to obtain AAC devices, they identified barriers including a lack of sufficient awareness of the importance, associated expenses, funding constraints and a lack of Arabization of AAC devices. Implications for RehabilitationAugmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods allow individuals with communication difficulties to interact and socialize with those around them.The general authority of statistics in Saudi Arabia has shown that Saudi Arabia has an increased number of individuals suffering from severe to extreme communication disorders compared to other countries around the world. Consequently, the need for AAC in Saudi Arabia cannot be underestimated.This study demonstrates the importance of the awareness of AAC among different stakeholders in Saudi Arabia including AAC users, healthcare providers and community members so that individuals with communication problems can receive maximum benefit from AAC.Given that most healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia are prescribing non-tech and low-tech AAC methods indicates the importance of training on AAC for healthcare providers serving patients with communication disorders.
Related Concept Videos
02:16Surveys
01:14SBAR II: Application of SBAR
SBAR Report from a Nurse to a Health Care Provider
S: "Hello, Dr. Smith. This is Jane, RN, from the Med Surg unit. I am calling to tell you about Ms. White in Room 210, who is experiencing increased pain and redness at her incision site. Her recent...
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:07Data Collection by Survey