Assistive technology (AT) is a term for assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and the elderly. Disabled people often have difficulty performing activities of daily living (ADLs) independently, or even with assistance. ADLs are self-care activities that include toileting, mobility (ambulation), eating, bathing, dressing, grooming, and personal device care. Assistive technology can ameliorate the effects of disabilities that limit the ability to perform ADLs. Assistive technology promotes greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to, or changing methods of interacting with, the technology needed to accomplish such tasks. For example, wheelchairs provide independent mobility for those who cannot walk, while assistive eating devices can enable people who cannot feed themselves to do so. Due to assistive technology, disabled people have an opportunity of a more positive and easygoing lifestyle, with an increase in "social participation," "security and control," and a greater chance to "reduce institutional costs without significantly increasing household expenses." In schools, assistive technology can be critical in allowing students with disabilities access the general education curriculum. Students who experience challenges writing or keyboarding, for example, can use voice recognition software instead. Assistive technologies assist people who are recovering from strokes and people who have abstained injuries that effect their daily tasks.
Facilitated communication (FC), or supported typing, is a scientifically discredited technique that attempts to aid communication by people with autism or other communication disabilities who are non-verbal. The facilitator guides the disabled person's arm or hand and attempts to help them type on a keyboard or other device.
PLOS Biology is a monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal covering all aspects of biology. Publication began on October 13, 2003. It is the first journal published by the Public Library of Science. The editor-in-chief is Nonia Pariente.
The impact factor (IF) or journal impact factor (JIF) of an academic journal is a scientometric index calculated by Clarivate that reflects the yearly mean number of citations of articles published in the last two years in a given journal, as indexed by Clarivate's Web of Science.
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) encompasses the communication methods used to supplement or replace speech or writing for those with impairments in the production or comprehension of spoken or written language. AAC is used by those with a wide range of speech and language impairments, including congenital impairments such as cerebral palsy, intellectual impairment and autism, and acquired conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. AAC can be a permanent addition to a person's communication or a temporary aid. Stephen Hawking used AAC to communicate through a speech-generating device.
Picture communication symbols (PCS) are a set of colour and black & white drawings originally developed by Mayer-Johnson, LLC for use in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. These AAC systems may be high-tech (Dynamyte) or low-tech such as a communication board.
Speech-generating devices (SGDs), also known as voice output communication aids, are electronic augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems used to supplement or replace speech or writing for individuals with severe speech impairments, enabling them to verbally communicate. SGDs are important for people who have limited means of interacting verbally, as they allow individuals to become active participants in communication interactions. They are particularly helpful for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) but recently have been used for children with predicted speech deficiencies.
The Journal of Communication is a bimonthly peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes articles and book reviews on a broad range of issues in communication theory and research. It was established in 1951 and the current editor-in-chief is R. Lance Holbert. According to the Journal Citation Reports, its 2018 impact factor is 3.753. The Journal of Communication is ranked fifth out of 88 journals in the category "Communication". It is published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Communication Association. Previously it was published by Wiley Online Library.
Political Communication is a quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal covering political communication. It was established in 1980 and is published by Routledge on behalf of the American Political Science Association and the International Communication Association. The editor-in-chief is Claes de Vreese. According to the Journal Citation Reports, the journal has a 2018 impact factor of 4.339.
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine is a monthly peer-reviewed medical journal covering alternative medicine published by Mary Ann Liebert. It was established in 1995 and is the official journal of the Society for Acupuncture Research. The editor-in-chief is John Weeks, who succeeded the founding editor, Kim A. Jobst.
The International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) was founded in May 1983 in East Lansing, Michigan, United States. Its stated purpose is to improve the communication abilities and quality of life of individuals with complex communication needs who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). ISAAC provides information about AAC services, policies and activities around the world thorough various publications and their website. The society publishes a journal and various other publications, organizes biennial conferences, promotes research on AAC use and AAC development as well as implements various projects.
European Journal of Communication is a quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal that covers research on communications and media. The journal was established in 1986 and covers all aspects of communication research and theory.
The Journal of Business and Technical Communication is a quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal that focuses on communication best practices, problems, and trends in business and academic venues. The journal was established in 1987 and is published by SAGE Publishing. The editor-in-chief is Jo Mackiewicz Article types include research articles, commentaries, book and software reviews, and comments and responses.
Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly is a quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal that covers the field of communication and journalism. The editor-in-chief is Daniela Dimitrova. The journal was established in 1924 as the Journalism Bulletin, the flagship journal of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. It is published by SAGE Publishing in association with the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. It publishes original articles and book reviews on topics including theoretical and methodological developments in journalism and mass communication, international communication, media technologies and society, advertising, public relations, journalism history, media law and policy, media management and economics, political communication, and health communication.
The Asian Journal of Communication is a peer-reviewed academic journal which focuses on the systems and processes of communication in the Asia-Pacific region and among Asian communities around the world. The journal is published by Routledge on behalf of the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre and the editor-in-chief is Ang Peng Hwa.
Theory & Society is a bimonthly peer-reviewed academic journal covering theoretical analyses of social processes and phenomena. It was established by Alvin Gouldner in 1974. It is published by Springer Science+Business Media and the editor-in-chief is Janet Gouldner. According to the Journal Citation Reports, the journal has a 2018 impact factor of 1.9. On average, it takes the editorial staff two years before they make a decision whether or not to accept an article.
Janice Light is an American academic who holds the Hintz Family Endowed Chair in Children's Communicative Competence in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Pennsylvania State University. As a Distinguished Professor, she teaches graduate courses and seminars in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and has developed an internationally recognized research program in AAC.
The rapid prompting method (RPM) is a pseudoscientific technique that attempts to aid communication by people with autism or other disabilities to communicate through pointing, typing, or writing. Also known as Spelling to Communicate, it is closely related to the scientifically discredited technique facilitated communication (FC). Practitioners of RPM have failed to assess the issue of message agency using simple and direct scientific methodologies, saying that doing so would be stigmatizing and that allowing scientific criticisms of the technique robs people with autism of their right to communicate. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has issued a statement opposing the practice of RPM.
Information, Communication & Society is a peer-reviewed academic journal covering the role of digital media in the Information Age. It was established in 1998 and is published by Routledge. The editor-in-chief is Brian Loader. According to the Journal Citation Reports, the journal has a 2018 impact factor of 4.124, ranking it 4th out of 88 journals in the category "Communication" and 5th out of 148 journals in the category "Sociology".
The Journal of Health Communication is a monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal covering health communication.
