In May 2024, the RERC on AAC and CommunicationFIRST co-hosted the Future of AAC Research Summit. Twenty-one papers from this Summit were published in a special issue of the AAC Journal in 2025. All the articles are written or co-written by AAC users. The articles are free to read.
This is a collection of plain-language summaries of those twenty-one articles. Plain-language summaries of research are important for accessibility. Providing summaries in plain language helps make complex information easier to read. This helps people better understand the research and use it in real life.
Posts Related to Special Issue of the AAC Journal (2025)
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Supporting meaningful participation in society by adults with developmental disabilities who need and use AAC (summary)
June 6, 2026
A plain language summary of a research article. The full article by McNaughton et al. discusses what is needed to support communication and participation more… -
Crossing the communication chasm (summary)
June 5, 2026
A plain language summary of a research article. The full article by Crisp-Cooper shares the author’s experiences communicating in different ways. -
Reading, Writing, and AAC Are Fundamental
June 4, 2026
A plain language summary of a research article. The full article by Williams discusses how people who use AAC often do not get the literacy… -
External challenges for individuals who need or use AAC who are learning language: lived experiences, key research findings, and future directions (summary)
June 3, 2026
A plain language summary of a research article. The full article by Holyfield et al. discusses barriers that make it harder for people who use… -
Future of AAC technologies: priorities for inclusive innovation (summay)
June 2, 2026
A plain language summary of a research article. The full article by Williams and Holyfield discusses ways that AAC needs to change and develop. -
AAC and technology: what’s communicaiton equity got to do with it? (summary)
June 1, 2026
A plain language summary of a research article. The full article by Williams discusses communication equity and calls for real change. -
Speech is exhausting (summary)
May 31, 2026
A plain language summary of a research article. The full article by corbin argues that all communication methods should be treated equally. -
How People Type Without Using Their Hands
May 31, 2026
A plain language summary of a research article. The full article by Koester et al. discusses how well existing alternative access methods meet users’ needs… -
Embracing change in AAC technology: the keyboard to my success (summary)
May 28, 2026
A plain language summary of a research article. The full article by Jin discusses how changes in technology over time affect people who use AAC. -
Beyond access: the intersecting role of AAC, literacy, and technology (summary)
May 28, 2026
A plain language summary of a research article. The full article by Zimmerman discusses how access to communication, literacy, and technology are essential for citizenship,… -
The first word in accessibility is “access” (summary)
May 27, 2026
A plain language summary of a research article. The full article by Regan discusses access challenges to AAC as a support for communication is all… -
Speaking from the heart: a story about innovation, resilience, and infinite possibilities with AAC (summary)
May 27, 2026
A plain language summary of a research article. The full article by Nazareth shares about the author’s journey with AAC.
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