Social Networking for AAC users: Using Facebook, Twitter, Skype and More. Presented by Barbara Landsberg (Occupational Therapist) and Jane Farrall (Speech Pathologist) at Spectronics at the More Than Gadgets Conference in Perth, August 2011. http://morethangadgets.com/conference-sessions-day-1 Session Outline We all need to communicate and connect with each other – not just in one way, but in as many ways as possible (Williams, 2000). Social media are the cornerstones of modern communication and it is essential that people with disabilities, who can become socially isolated, are able to use these tools and stay connected with the world (Varley, 2008). Popular social networking sites including Facebook and Twitter are examples of social media most commonly used for socialization and connecting with friends, relatives and employees. People with Complex Communication Needs (CCN) are now able to access many social networking sites and participate in internet messaging (IM) as a means to meet and keep in touch with friends and share information. With the development of these Web 2.0 tools that facilitate information sharing and collaboration, the options for people with physical disabilities to access them has also greatly improved. Web browser add-ons and communication software can provide tools like onscreen keyboards, mouseless browsing and mouse emulation tools such as cross hair and radar mouse to make these websites more accessible. This presentation will explore some common social networking sites, share some client examples and demonstrate how social media can be accessed using these tools.

1. Social Networking for AAC users Using Facebook Twitter and Skype (and more)

2. Barbara Landsberg Occupational Therapist Sales and Marketing Director Spectronics Jane Farrall Speech Pathologist AAC Support Services Manager Spectronics

5. Why would you want to use them?

7. Live Chat programs

9. How many active users are there?

20. What is Twitter? A social networking and “microblogging” service, enabling its users to send and read messages called tweets. Say anything you want in 140 characters or less.

22. History of Twitter

23. Now 140 million tweets per day!

24. Twitter is everywhere!

25. Twitter is everywhere!

26. Twitter is everywhere!

27. Is Twitter easy?

28. Is Twitter valuable?

31. Live Chat programs

39. 24 hours a day with no geographic boundaries

43. 24 hours a day with no geographic boundaries

44. Breaking news updates

46. 24 hours a day with no geographic boundaries

47. Breaking news updates

48. Calls for assistance!

51. Facebook Pages

52. Twitter searches by #hashtag

53. By topic area #augcomm #assistivetech

54. By events #MTG2011

55. Lists of “useful tweeters to follow” “Today’s IV-drip of professional development”

58. Want to learn more?

60. @spectronics @janefarrall @gregoconnor

61. 22nd - 25th May 2012 Jupiters Gold Coast Convention Centre Queensland, Australia www.spectronicsinoz.com/conference/2012

63. AAC Users and social closeness “Adults with a lifelong disability are more lonely than their peers (Balandin, Berg, &Waller, 2006; McVilly, Stancliffe) Light (1998) Most of our daily communication is to build social closeness Beukelman (2000) Most AAC users feel they have limited opportunities for social interaction

64. AAC Users and social closeness Parmenter, & Burton-Smith, 2006a). In a recent qualitative study of loneliness and friendship some of the seven adult participants with cerebral palsy noted that their current living arrangements did not support friendship development. They had little in common with those with whom they lived and who they had not chosen as house partners (Ballin & Balandin, 2007).

65. AAC users and social closeness People with lifelong disability experience loneliness for the same reasons as people without disability (Emerson & McVilly, 2004; Fees, Martin, & Poon, 1999), but have additional problems with communication, in particular with non familiar communication partners and on the phone (Ballin & Balandin, 2007; Cooper et al., 2009). Furthermore, problems with acceptance in the community increase their feelings of loneliness.”

66. Social networking and AAC users Converse as equals Communication looks the same from all senders Usually the rhythm of conversation encourages non-instantaneous response “Conversations” can happen over distance and time –supporting mobility-impaired and stay-at-home users

67. Features of software Onscreen keyboards Mouse emulation Cross hair Radar Rate enhancement Abbreviation expansion Phrase banks Word/Phrase Prediction

68. Let’s have a look at and DynaVox Series 5

70. Currently for email and chat, Twitter version in Beta

71. 30 day trial available

75. Easy Chirp uses keyboard shortcuts

77. Tracey Started using computer 4 years ago Uses internet to: stay up dated on the outside world stay in touch with relatives locally and interstate, plus new and old friends beat the BOREDOM.....Grrrrrr Using Facebook, You Tube, Google, iTunes and GMail

80. Tracey talks to new and old friends on Facebook has ‘met’ a lot of people from overseas but ‘talks’ with them through Facebook games keeps in connection with family locally and interstate

81. Tracey “The computer/internet has opened my world, it has knocked down the wall's and brought the world to me” “More importantly I have been able to reunite with other sisters and brother over in W.A.”

82. References Strategies to Enhance the Social Identities and Social Networks of Adolescent Students With Disabilities by Debby M. Zombo. From Council for Exceptional Children- Teaching Exceptional Children journal Vol. 43, no: 2 & 3 Social media - barrier or tool for inclusion? http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=9810 Twitter for poor readers, non readers and AAC users with Point-and-Chat® Ben Slotznick at ATIA, Orlando http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/internet-an-equalizer-for-people-with-disabilities-2072448.html