1. Your Voice, Your Way: A Website Helping Clinicians Navigate the World of Communication Technology
Victoria Chow, MOTS;1 Sarah Fernandes, MOTS;1 Hannah Matalone, MOTS;1 Michael Underwood, MOTS1
Faculty Adviser: Tracy Mroz, PhD, OTR/L;1 Community Mentors: Kara Grosvenor, OTR/L;2 Anita Williamson, OTR/L2
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; 2VA Puget Sound, Seattle, WA
INTRODUCTION & PURPOSE
Introduction:
An estimated four million people in the United States have difficulty reliably communicating using typical speech (Beukelman & Mirenda, 2013). Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) products allow individuals to communicate using a variety of methods that supplement or replace typical ways of expressing speech, language, and written word (Banajee, Sudkamp, & Diannitto, n.d). AAC products have been shown to enhance participation, quality of life, and overall independence for people with communication difficulties (Millar & Scott, 1998).
Clinicians from the VA Puget Sound expressed the need for an efficient, sustainable, and centralized tool to identify appropriate AAC products for the clients they serve. For clinicians, the process of navigating available AAC products and selecting the best match for their clients is time-consuming and arduous due to rapid advances in technology, multiple vendors, and a lack of centralized information. Clinicians must consider the communication medium, type of access, content representation, and contextual/environmental features in order to find a device or system that meets the individual needs of each client.  
Purpose:
The Your Voice, Your Way website is a central online database of available AAC products. The website aids clinicians in selecting AAC products through a guided search, filter system, visual representation of all features, and product compare option.
YOUR VOICE, YOUR WAY WEBSITE
RESULTS
Beta testing was completed by nine clinicians at the VA Puget Sound
The Your Voice, Your Way website improves familiarity with AAC products
The Your Voice, Your Way website helps clinicians feel more comfortable recommending AAC products to clients
A majority of clinicians reported that they would likely recommend the website to other practitioners, students, and clients
Users can start with a ‘Guided Search’ or they can browse and filter ‘All Products’
‘All Products’ page includes all AAC products and searchable filters on sidebar for ease of navigation
A ‘Guided Search’ page helps users navigate AAC products based on specific needs and preferences
The ‘All Products’ or the ‘Guided Search’ pages bring users to
a page of applicable products. Individual product from list is shown here
DISCUSSION & NEXT STEPS
Discussion:
Your Voice, Your Way will help clinicians select AAC products that meet the personal, cognitive, and physical needs of individuals with communication challenges. The user-friendly website features and comprehensive information decreases clinician time spent researching AAC products and increases confidence in recommending AAC products to clients.
Next Steps:
Continue to upgrade the website to improve the user experience
Disseminate the website beyond the VA Puget Sound to clinicians, students, and professionals across all practice settings
Explore avenues for sustainability with the VA and UW MOT Division
Individual product pages contain icon badges which highlight key features of each AAC product
METHODS
Met with VA Puget Sound Occupational and Speech Therapists
‘More About…’ section provides
additional details, purchasing information, and resources for assistance on each product
Designed website and directed computer science capstone students in website construction
Completed beta testing with clinicians at the VA Puget Sound
Your Voice, Your Way
website launched
Reviewed literature on AAC
REFERENCES
1. Banajee, M., Sudkamp, J. J., & Diannitto, P. (n.d.). Effectiveness of AAC strategies within specialized nursing care departments. [Powerpoint slides]. Retrieved from:
2. Beukelman, D. R., & Mirenda, P. (2013). Augmentative and alternative communication: Supporting children and adults with complex communication needs. Baltimore, MD: Brookes.
3. Millar, S., & Scott, J. (1998). What is augmentative and alternative communication: An introduction. Edinburgh, Scotland: CALL Centre. Retrieved from:
‘Compare Products’ page allows users to compare features of each product side by side to aid in the decision-making process
Compiled a portfolio of current AAC technology