Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Your Voice Matters: Contribute to AAC Research

Hey Tek-ninjas!  I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving holiday if you celebrate. Before the break I blogged about the Augur research results regarding AAC. In this blog post I wanted to share that there is a new US based study being conducted for AAC users and/or their care givers. This is an independent study designed to capture real-life experiences from AAC users, families, and caregivers. The goal is to show how high-tech communication tools make a difference in everyday life. This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about stories, impact, and advocacy.

What’s This Survey About?

Responses should come from:

  • AAC users
  • Caregivers or assistants to AAC users

No matter what type of AAC tool you use, your experience matters. Responses are completely anonymous and will help explore the value of communication tools for users, caregivers, and society at large. And like the study discussed in the previous post, this one is also commissioned by Dynavox Group—and similarly, participants can use any AAC product. To reiterate, this isn’t just about one manufacturer; it’s about the power of AAC as a whole.

Survey Details:

  • AAC users: ~15–20 questions
  • Caregivers: ~20–30 questions
  • Optional extra questions if you have time
  • You can pause and resume later on the same device
    By participating, you consent to the collection and use of socio-economic information, including aspects related to health and well-being.

Why Participate?

  • Your responses help researchers understand the true value of AAC.
  • Your responses has the potential to inform policy, funding, and access decisions.
  • Your responses can amplify the voices of those who rely on AAC every day.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Click here to join or share the study
It’s quick, confidential, and your contribution could help others gain better access to communication tools.  


Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Exploring the Benefits of Augmentative and Alternative: A Game-Changer for AAC Users

 Hey Tek-ninjas! I’m excited to share some fascinating findings from a recent study out of Germany that shines a bright light on the real-world impact of high-tech AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) solutions. 

This research, conducted by Augur and Prof. Dr. Tom Stargardt at the Hamburg Center of Health Economics, was commissioned by Dynavox Group— it's important to note, the study is agnostic in nature, and users of any AAC SGD are welcome. The researchers were not looking at one manufacturer; it’s about the power of AAC as a whole.


What Did They Do?

From October 2024 to March 2025, researchers interviewed:

  • 12 users and caregivers (physical/digital interviews)
  • 6 professionals
    That’s 18 in-depth conversations to start.
    Then they added:
  • 188 online surveys with users and caregivers across Germany.

This wasn’t a small sample—it’s a robust look at AAC in action.



The Big Takeaways

  • Quality of Life:
    AAC nearly doubles a user’s quality of life. For someone who struggles to communicate, these tools aren’t just helpful—they’re transformative.

  • Return on Investment:
    High-tech AAC solutions pay for themselves about 1.4 times over. That’s not just good for individuals—it’s good economics. Investing in communication pays dividends for society.



Why Does This Matter?

For years, we’ve known AAC changes lives. This study gives us data to back up what clinicians, caregivers, and users have been saying all along:
AAC isn’t a luxury—it’s an essential investment.


Want to Dive Deeper?

You can grab:

All free of charge



As someone who’s spent years in the AAC space, I love seeing research that validates what we do. If you’re a therapist, educator, or advocate, share this with your team. Let’s keep pushing for access, because communication is a human right.

Stay sharp, Tek-ninjas, and happy Thanksgiving if you celebrate!