Special issue of Advances in Communication and Swallowing details opportunities for bridging the digital divide to ensure equitability and accessibility for people living with communication disabilities.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Innovative technological solutions can enhance the daily lives of individuals living with aphasia, especially when people living with communication disabilities, speech and language therapy clinicians, and academics collaborate at all stages of the research process. A special issue of Advances in Communication and Swallowing, published by IOS Press (now part of Sage) brings together research relevant to the use of technology in the assessment and treatment of aphasia, as well as social interactions including peer support, and practical applications that can influence future research and clinical practice.
While advances in technology aim to facilitate digital autonomy and offer more efficient access to health and social information, the digital divide experienced by people with communication impairment, such as aphasia, compared to the general population, is still an issue.
"The exciting development of technology continues to facilitate more efficient and independent lives for those who use it. However, without hearing the voices of people with communication impairment, such as aphasia, future innovative technology will exclude these people, and rather than create a level playing field, will only serve to increase their currently experienced inequitable digital divide. This can easily be addressed by collaborating with people with communication impairment in a meaningful way at all stages of the research process," notes Helen Kelly, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, School of Clinical Therapies, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland, and co-Guest Editor of this special issue.
At the height of the global coronavirus pandemic, much of the management of aphasia and opportunities for supported social conversations for people with aphasia were undertaken using telehealth. The response to this unique situation in history resulted in exponential technological growth and innovation. Reflecting some of these innovations and developments, the range of topics presented in this special issue showcase innovative approaches to aphasia research, assessment, intervention, and participation.
Shauna Bell, BSc, PhD Candidate, Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, School of Clinical Therapies, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland, and co-Guest Editor of the special issue, explains, "The digital divide, characterised by unequal access to technology, and the rapid evolution of digital technologies pose significant challenges for individuals with communication difficulties. Ensuring that these individuals are not left behind calls for a focused approach through applied research, as emphasized in this special issue, to develop innovative solutions and strategies that bridge this gap."
The essential component of listening to the voices of people with aphasia is threaded throughout the research presented in the issue, either through participant feedback, exploration of participant opinions regarding a service, or active involvement in co-design. The potential of digital technologies can be utilized to enhance the clinical management of aphasia and bring people living with aphasia from diverse geographical locations together for peer and social support.
Áine Kearns, PhD, Associate Professor B, School of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland, and co-Guest Editor of this special issue, concludes, "We hope that people living with aphasia will be recognized as key stakeholders in the development of accessible technology and included in research as experts. This involvement is crucial to narrowing the digital divide they often face, ensuring it keeps pace with the rapid advancements in technology."
Guest Editors: Helen Kelly, PhD, Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, School of Clinical Therapies, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland Áine Kearns, PhD, School of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland; and Health Services Executive, CDNT, Donegal, Ireland Shauna Bell, BSc, Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, School of Clinical Therapies, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
To request additional information contact Diana Murray, IOS Press, at +1 718-640-5678 or d.murray@iospress.com
Journalists wishing to interview the Guest Editors or contributing authors should contact Helen Kelly, PhD, at helen.kelly@ucc.ie
ABOUT ADVANCES IN COMMUNICATION AND SWALLOWING Advances in Communication and Swallowing(ACS) is the official journal of the Irish Association of Speech & Language Therapists (IASLT). It is a peer-reviewed journal that welcomes submissions from clinicians and researchers in areas including speech, language, voice, fluency, communication, and swallowing. It is multidisciplinary in nature with submissions considered from professional and scientific disciplines allied to speech and language pathology, such as linguistics, psychology, education, audiology, and medicine. The journal provides a platform for the sharing and exchange of information of a contemporary or historical nature, with communication and swallowing as the broad focus.
IOS Press assumed publication of ACS in 2021, which was formerly entitled Journal of Clinical Speech & Language Studies. The new title reflects the significant evolution of the field over the last decade. www.iospress.com/advances-in-communication-and-swallowing
ABOUT IOS PRESS IOS Press, now part of Sage, is an international scientific, technical, medical (STM) publishing house established in 1987 in Amsterdam. We produce around 90 journals and 70 books annually in a broad range of subject categories, primarily specializing in health and life sciences (including neurosciences, medical informatics, cancer research, and rehabilitation) and computer sciences (including artificial intelligence, data science, and semantic web). In addition, we offer specialized services that support scientific advancement. https://www.iospress.com/
ABOUT SAGE Sage is a global academic publisher of books, journals, and library resources with a growing range of technologies to enable discovery, access, and engagement. Believing that research and education are critical in shaping society, 24-year-old Sara Miller McCune founded Sage in 1965. Today, we are controlled by a group of trustees charged with maintaining our independence and mission indefinitely. https://group.sagepub.com
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