“We definitely need an audience”: experiences of Twitter, Twitter networks and tweet content in adults with severe communication disabilities who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the Twitter experiences of adults with severe communication disabilities who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to inform Twitter training and further research on the use of Twitter in populations with communication disabilities. Method: This mixed methods research included five adults with severe communication disabilities who use AAC. It combined (a) quantitative analysis of Twitter networks and (b) manual coding of tweets with (c) narrative interviews with participants on their Twitter experiences and results. Results: The five participants who used AAC and Twitter were diverse in their patterns and experiences of using Twitter. Twitter networks reflected interaction with a close-knit network of people rather than with the broader publics on Twitter. Conversational, Broadcast and Pass Along tweets featured most prominently, with limited use of News or Social Presence tweets. Tweets appeared mostly within each participant's micro- or meso-structural layers of Twitter. Conclusions: People who use AAC report positive experiences in using Twitter. Obtaining help in Twitter, and engaging in hashtag communities facilitated higher frequency of tweets and establishment of Twitter networks. Results reflected an inter-connection of participant Twitter networks that might form part of a larger as yet unexplored emergent community of people who use AAC in Twitter.Implications for RehabilitationTwitter can be used as an important vehicle for conversation and a forum for people with communication disabilities to exchange information and participate socially in online communities.It is important that information and resources relating to the effective use of Twitter for a range of purposes are made available to people with communication disabilities who wish to take up or maintain use of Twitter.People with communication disabilities might benefit from support in using Twitter to meet their goals relating to participation in online forums and information exchange. Practitioners need to consider how their own social media skills might impact on service delivery and supporting these goals.

Technology and its role in rehabilitation for people with cognitive-communication disability following a traumatic brain injury (TBI)

“…Typically, networking sites support the use of short messages with little emphasis on correct spelling and grammar [138,139] instruction on how to use smartphone apps was important for people with TBI [143]. The importance of tailoring interventions to the individual is also consistent with the literature on technology interventions for people with aphasia, in that user acceptance and motivation are crucial when designing ICT systems and important for realising long-term engagement [144].…”

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Social Media Communication on Selected #MND and #ALS Tagged Tweets

“…Furthermore, adults acquiring MND/ALS are likely to be literate and to be familiar with using the Internet and social media particularly in the age range of the majority at onset of the disease [11]. While research on specific health conditions and the use of Twitter is increasing for people with chronic or lifelong disabilities that are not lifelimiting (e.g., traumatic brain injury [4], or cerebral palsy [3]) little is known about the use of Twitter relating to people with a progressive condition MND/ALS, that gradually robs them of their speech [8], beyond its use as a useful platform for fundraising and raising awareness (e.g., the Twitter and YouTube campaign the #ALSicebucketchallenge [14]). …”

“…Twitter is a text-based form of interpersonal communication, Hemsley et al, [2,3] proposed that people with severe communication disability including those with MND/ALS could benefit by using Twitter to communicate and to exchange information, as Twitter supports fewer keystrokes for entering messages, does not require speech, and is tolerant of spelling errors and abbreviations that save time and effort. Furthermore, adults acquiring MND/ALS are likely to be literate and to be familiar with using the Internet and social media particularly in the age range of the majority at onset of the disease [11].…”

“…impairments, such as cerebral palsy [3]. To date, little is known about how Twitter is used by people with MND/ALS who have severe communication disability, either as a timely source of high quality health information, a method of communication, or as a form of interaction and engagement online.…”

Using Twitter to access the human right of communication for people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

“…#ALSIceBucketChallenge, #BrainInjuryAwareness Month). However, despite the apparent benefits of Twitter, currently people who use AAC have relatively small Twitter networks (Hemsley, Dann, Palmer, Allan, & Balandin, 2015).…”