This is a plain-language summary of a journal article. The article is one of 21 articles in a special issue of the AAC journal (Volume 41, Issue 3, 2025). All the articles are written or co-written by AAC users. The articles are free to read. Plain-language summaries of research are important for accessibility. Providing summaries in plain language helps make complex information easier to read. This helps to better understand and put the research into practice.
Summary of: Future of AAC technologies: priorities for inclusive innovation by Williams & Holyfield (2025)
Kevin Williams uses augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Christine Holyfield is an AAC researcher. They write about ways that AAC needs to change and develop to meet more communication needs for more people.
They ask “why do we need innovation in AAC?” and they answer because “people need real solutions now.”
There are many people that are left out of AAC access. People building AAC need to focus on inclusive solutions rather than flashy new gadgets. There is mainstream technology that could make AAC better right now.
6 Priorities for Innovation in AAC
The six priorities for innovation were named and selected by Kevin, an AAC user and main author. These came from both his personal experiences and his own conversations and readings. The priorities are backed up by Christine’s research with more than 90 people who have experience with AAC.
1. Intuitiveness (ease of use and learning)
The technology should be easy to understand and use. Especially by people who currently struggle with many AAC systems. This will help AAC users with learning and intellectual disabilities better access it. AAC users could depend less on professionals and caregivers for things like making changes and troubleshooting.
2. Feasibility (real world use)
Solutions must be practical. They can use technology that is already available. AAC innovations are things that can actually be built, maintained, and used in real life.
3. Sustainability (long term use)
Innovation shouldn’t be a “one-off.” The tools should last over time and be supported long-term. This means updates in technology and support. We have already had many innovations dropped, leaving their users stranded.
4. Addressing Equity (all can use)
New AAC tools need to focus on people who benefit the least from existing systems. That means people who are underserved because of their needs in language, motor, vision, cognitive, and/or other areas.
5. Affordability (financial access)
New AAC technologies should be affordable, so more people can access them.
6. Advocacy for funding (getting it to people to use)
Today’s funding for AAC is out of date. The authors say that people making new AAC also need to support new funding for AAC. Innovation isn’t enough if people can’t get the devices, or use them for real reasons (e.g. communicating online, texting, etc.).
Innovating Outside of the “Box”
The authors encourage “outside of the box” thinking – literally thinking about AAC that is not contained in the “box” of a tablet or device. For example, wearable AAC (e.g. smart watches, smart rings, wearable speakers or cameras). Imagine AAC that’s built into clothing, jewelry, or the environment instead of a separate device.
Or AAC that integrates things like holographs or AI. Technology that recognizes the context and adjusts vocabulary or access method based on where, when, or why the AAC user is communicating. Much of this is already available in mainstream technology. Like in smartphones and virtual or augmented reality devices.
But it’s most important to include actual AAC users to build, design, and test these tools. Working together (AAC users, developers, and researchers) leads to better, more meaningful technology. As the authors say “innovation in AAC will only result in AAC that is ideal for its users when it is built with the people it is built for.”
Many people who rely on AAC are still underserved by existing technology. So even though there is a lot of exciting technology, we need to focus on putting the people first. Especially those who have the most need.
Citation:
Williams, K., & Holyfield, C. (2025). Future of AAC technologies: priorities for inclusive innovation. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 211–214.
Access the full article: https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2513906
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