“Social Media has Opened a World of ‘Open communication:’” experiences of Adults with Cerebral Palsy who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Social Media

Abstract

An online focus group was used to investigate the experiences of nine individuals with cerebral palsy who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and social media. Information was gathered related to (a) advantages of social media, (b) disadvantages of social media, (c) barriers to successful use, (d) supports to successful use, and (e) recommendations for other individuals using AAC, support personnel, policy makers, and technology developers. Participants primarily chose to focus on social media as a beneficial tool and viewed it as an important form of communication. The participants did describe barriers to social media use (e.g., technology). Despite barriers, all the participants in this study took an active role in learning to use social media. The results are discussed as they relate to themes and with reference to published literature.

Use of consumer wireless devices by South Africans with severe communication disability

“…Apart from this protective function, a recent US study that focussed on social media showed similar results to the findings of the current study when the authors described the benefits for persons who use AAC as connecting them with other individuals, making them feel typical, making communication easier, gaining independence and getting help (Caron & Light 2015). They also found potential employment benefits.…”

“…Furthermore, these mainstream mobile technologies can also serve the functions of specialized AAC technologies – this is another important and positive implication of the findings of the study, since these mainstream technologies are comparatively more powerful, compact, and have a longer battery life, which is essential for communicating without worrying to stop and recharge a device, as is often the case with specialized AAC devices (Alper & Haller 2015. Additionally, as Caron and Light (2015) and Light and McNaughton (2014) suggest, social media via networked mobile technologies give individuals with significant communication disabilities opportunities to ‘increase, maintain, or improve’ their own communication in everyday contexts, be they synchronous or asynchronous conversations, face-to-face or from a distance, and among others with or without disabilities. Recent research has already demonstrated the benefits of the use of social media by individuals with severe communication disabilities in the United States (Caron & Light 2015).…”

“…Additionally, as Caron and Light (2015) and Light and McNaughton (2014) suggest, social media via networked mobile technologies give individuals with significant communication disabilities opportunities to ‘increase, maintain, or improve’ their own communication in everyday contexts, be they synchronous or asynchronous conversations, face-to-face or from a distance, and among others with or without disabilities. Recent research has already demonstrated the benefits of the use of social media by individuals with severe communication disabilities in the United States (Caron & Light 2015). …”

“…They allow for voice input, text messages, picture capturing, e-mailing, internet access and gaming (York & Fabrikant 2011). The availability of social media, such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter on many of these wireless devices has further expanded communication opportunities for these individuals (Beukelman & Mirenda 2013; Caron & Light 2015). …”

“…Research from the United States reported that individuals with severe communication disabilities and who have access to wireless technologies use them for much the same activities as the larger disability community (Caron & Light 2015; McNaughton & Light 2013). Unfortunately, these individuals have less access to these technologies, lagging behind the larger disability community who are already lagging behind their peers without disability (Morris & Bryen 2015).…”