Communication Board Research Articles

Improving family engagement during implementation of IEP-aided AAC services: an interdisciplinary US-based perspective

All IEP team members should find statements pointing to where and when the aided AAC system and accessible learning tools will be used. Classroom-based and research supported AAC learning strategies and teaching practices should be clearly listed, explained, and accessible to all team members. Aided AAC refers to a variety of communication tools that are portable and external to the body. Aided AAC ranges from paper-based picture communication cards, boards, binders, tablets, or digital smartphone applications to multifunctional/high-tech devices offering synthesized and digitized speech. Aided AAC allows students with CCN/ESNs to access speech or writing using any body part capable of performing voluntary and independent movement. Many electronic/high-tech aided AAC systems can store thousands of multilingual words, allowing seamless communication between home and school. Students with CCN/ESNs can also use hightech aided AAC with native keyboards as “alternative pencils” to practice spelling and early writing, thus allowing equitable academic access and opportunities to make progress on emergent literacy skills. High-tech/digital-aided AAC allows for the maturation of linguistic specificity and fuller participation in daily routines required for academic success. It is critical for students with CCN/ESNs to use high-tech aided AAC with ample vocabulary storage to increase opportunities for self-generation of complex and decontextualized messages for varied social interactions. Additionally, digital device platforms (e.g., iPads, other tablets, Smartphones) offer multiple.

Effectiveness of Communication Board on Level of Satisfaction among Mechanically Ventilated Patients at Intensive Care Unit in a Tertiary Hospital

Introduction: Critical care nurses are crucial in managing critical patients, facing challenges with advanced technology, alarms, ventilators, and multiple laboratory investigations. They must effectively communicate and manage patients on mechanical ventilation (MV), a lifesaving intervention for those needing oxygenation and ventilation support to ensure patient satisfaction. Materials and Methods: The study employed a quasi-experimental design with 80 mechanically ventilated patients selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using demographic and clinical pro forma and a predesigned four-point Likert satisfaction scale comprised 14 items. The intervention group utilized a communication board, while the conventional group received routine care. The aim was to evaluate satisfaction levels in both groups, followed by a posttest on the 5th day using the same instrument. Results: The pretest revealed mean satisfaction scores of 32.47 ± 6.48 and 33.95 ± 6.41 for the intervention and conventional groups, respectively, with a mean difference of 1.47, considered statistically nonsignificant (t 78 = 1.023, P = 0.310). Conversely, posttest scores showed 37.85 ± 8.23 and 34.32 ± 6.18 for the intervention and conventional groups, respectively, with a mean difference of 3.53, indicating statistical significance (t 78 = 2.164, P = 0.034). Hence, the communication board intervention significantly enhanced satisfaction scores among mechanically ventilated patients, underscoring its positive impact on nursing care in terms of patients’ satisfaction. Conclusion: Effective communication is crucial in intensive care unit patient care, especially for those unable to speak due to MV. Utilizing communication boards significantly enhances patient satisfaction, highlighting the need for ongoing innovation in critical care nursing.

Sustainability disclosure quality of Nigerian listed firms: the role of female leadership, board communication, and external assurance

Sustainability disclosure quality of Nigerian listed firms: the role of female leadership, board communication, and external assurance

Analysis of risk priority number of FMEA and surprise index for components of 7 kW electric vehicle charger

The purpose of this study is to suggest systematic management measures by analyzing the risk of related part through FMEA of RPN index based on severity, occurrence, detection of 543,900 7 kW EV chargers installed until 2023 in South Korea and SI based on severity, detection and information score scale. To achieve this goal, this research investigated the current status of 7 kW EV chargers, and categorized the parts and assemblies of the investigated chargers. The failure mode of classified components was explored based on the 2016 edition of FMD, and the failure mode rate and information score of SI were referred to data contained in Nprd 2016, Eprd 2014; Fmd 2016. The identified failure mode, failure causes, and failure effects were described by domestic experts in EV charger-related sectors.There were 4 risk factors (10%) felt under “Group A″, the upper 10% of RPN. Of these, inverter overheating ranked in the highest. Moreover, the analysis revealed one case of corrosion of the enclosure and overheating in the main board and communication board each. The effect of overheating was confirmed in these components excluding the enclosure. From the SI perspective, high values were obtained in 4 parts of AC/DC breaker, one of connector, and one of cable. Based on the extracted data, management strategies were suggested.

Improving First Case Operating Room Efficiency.

Improving transition to the operating room (OR) can enhance healthcare efficiency. Our aim was to determine whether adopting a communication board (CB) for first case surgical patients reduced delays to OR. A retrospective observational study was conducted from April to October 2021. We calculated differences in surgical daycare (SDC) departure time before and after implementation of the CB, differences in departure whether the CB was used or not, delay in variability between surgical specialties, and overall adoption of the CB. After CB adoption, 13% of first cases left SDC by predefined target times. The mean delay in transfer was 18:51 minutes. When the CB was used, cases were on average 10:43 late, compared with 26:00 when it was not used. Otolaryngology had the shortest delays while plastic surgery had the longest. Reasons for delays included staffing delays, holds, and pending laboratory results. Introducing a CB significantly reduced delays in transferring first case surgical patients from SDC to the OR.

Online speech synthesis using a chronically implanted brain–computer interface in an individual with ALS

Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) that reconstruct and synthesize speech using brain activity recorded with intracranial electrodes may pave the way toward novel communication interfaces for people who have lost their ability to speak, or who are at high risk of losing this ability, due to neurological disorders. Here, we report online synthesis of intelligible words using a chronically implanted brain-computer interface (BCI) in a man with impaired articulation due to ALS, participating in a clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03567213) exploring different strategies for BCI communication. The 3-stage approach reported here relies on recurrent neural networks to identify, decode and synthesize speech from electrocorticographic (ECoG) signals acquired across motor, premotor and somatosensory cortices. We demonstrate a reliable BCI that synthesizes commands freely chosen and spoken by the participant from a vocabulary of 6 keywords previously used for decoding commands to control a communication board. Evaluation of the intelligibility of the synthesized speech indicates that 80% of the words can be correctly recognized by human listeners. Our results show that a speech-impaired individual with ALS can use a chronically implanted BCI to reliably produce synthesized words while preserving the participant’s voice profile, and provide further evidence for the stability of ECoG for speech-based BCIs.

Aided-speaking students’ unsolicited questions in teacher-fronted classroom talk: the use of speech-generating devices to ask questions

ABSTRACT Using the framework of conversation analysis, this paper examines aided-speaking students’ unsolicited speech-generating device (SGD)-mediated questions in teacher-fronted classroom talk. The analysis draws on a corpus of 18 h of video-recorded classroom interactions including 23 aided-speaking students using SGDs or picture-based communication boards. In all, 5% of the students’ contributions were unsolicited questions, produced by three students. The students were found to orient to turn transition relevance places, but due to prolonged production time their questions risked sequential and topical misplacement in the ongoing classroom talk and were vulnerable to misunderstandings. To address this problem, students activated the synthetic voice before finalising the question, claiming the interactional floor while securing time to complete their utterance. They also refrained from activating the synthetic voice and instead made the question visually available for the teacher to read, thereby transferring the responsibility for answering the question to the teacher when sequentially and topically relevant. The study demonstrates the complex interactional process of formulating SGD-mediated questions, sometimes requiring that the teacher, assistants, and students engage in repair work and scaffolding to establish the meaning of a student’s utterance. The findings imply that the treatment of non-speaking students’ contributions as questions requires designated teacher work.

Shifting Paradigms

Shifting Paradigms

Analysis of the educational and cultural activity of the Spanish government in social media: a comparison between pandemic and post-pandemic times

The COVID-19 pandemic challenged education systems as a whole, which had to act on emergency and without previous experience. The aim of this study is to examine the Spanish Government's response to the lockdown scenario through social media and the current (post-pandemic) activity. We collected the Twitter output of the 11 accounts linked to educational and cultural bodies and institutions of the Spanish Government and the interaction of citizens with them. We undertook analyses of social media output in pandemic and post-pandemic times. At the same time, we conducted a content analysis of the 126 tweets posted during the pandemic that had the greatest impact. The results point to increased production during the pandemic and a peak in interactions during the period of strict lockdown. The qualitative analysis reveals that Twitter is mainly used as an information and unidirectional communication board, where the Spanish Government's commitment to resources and tools based on open licences stands out, offering alternatives for Education in times of COVID-19, mainly to teachers. Finally, the analysis has allowed us to identify elements of success in social media communication.

Android App for People with IDD to Report Abuse

Abuse is a significant concern within the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) community, often accompanied by communication challenges and vulnerability. Our project, the "Speak Up IDD" Android application, is designed to empower and safeguard individuals with IDD by offering a platform to educating them, reporting abuse and seek assistance. This innovative app addresses the urgent issue of abuse within the IDD community. "Speak Up IDD" focuses on providing individuals with IDD a means to express their concerns, ensuring their safety and well-being. The app features a user-friendly interface that caters to varying communication abilities. It offers diverse reporting options, including text-to-speech capabilities, symbol-based communication boards, and voice recognition, ensuring accessibility for users with diverse communication needs. The central function of the app revolves around abuse reporting. Users can confidentially report instances of abuse, whether physical, emotional, or neglect, through a secure and private channel. The app guides users through the reporting process, providing prompts and assistance while safeguarding their anonymity and protection. To further support users, "Speak Up IDD" includes real-time alerts and notifications that can be sent to designated contacts, such as caregivers, family members, or support organizations, ensuring swift responses to reported incidents. The "Speak Up IDD" app is more than just a reporting tool; it is a lifeline for those in the IDD community who are at risk of abuse. Its mission is to create a safer environment, raise awareness, and ensure that no individual with IDD suffers in silence. By providing them with the means to speak up, we aim to empower individuals with IDD, protect their rights, and foster a more supportive and secure community for all

Teachers' use of augmented input and responsive strategies in schools for students with intellectual disability: A multiple case study of a communication partner intervention.

Teachers serve as critical communication partners for students with intellectual disability (ID) who face communication difficulties. However, teachers may lack sufficient training in using communication partner strategies and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in the classroom. This study aimed to explore teacher application of a communication partner intervention (AKKtiv ComPal) in schools for students with ID. Video observations were conducted at four schools during a teacher-led group activity at pre- and postintervention, with follow-up 7 months later, focusing on communication partner strategies and AAC use applied as a universal approach in the classroom. Differences and similarities in intervention application and contextual factors that may influence teacher application were investigated using a multiple case study approach, in which the four teachers and their contexts served as the four examined cases. All cases increased the access to communication boards in the classroom and used more augmented input and responsive strategies following intervention. Follow-up measures revealed variability in augmented input and sustained or more use of responsive strategies. Despite increased strategy use, access to communication boards remained inconsistent, and augmented input was used with variability across observation minutes. Influencing factors to teacher application seemed to be classroom setups (such as having a table), previous AAC skills, student characteristics, and postintervention efforts such as repeating the intervention or participating in follow-up sessions. This study demonstrates that classroom teachers for students with ID can use augmented input and responsive strategies as a universal design approach in the classroom following the AKKtiv ComPal intervention. However, teachers may utilize the strategies somewhat differently, partly influenced by their contextual factors. The findings suggest that while teachers for students with ID can successfully use communication partner strategies in the classroom, their use of augmented input should be nurtured over time to ensure sustained use and possibly improve consistency. Additionally, adapting to the physical environment of the classroom is crucial to optimize the application of these strategies.

Evaluating the feasibility of a communication board to enhance communication interactions of mechanically ventilated patients in Sri Lankan intensive care units: A pilot randomised controlled trial

Evaluating the feasibility of a communication board to enhance communication interactions of mechanically ventilated patients in Sri Lankan intensive care units: A pilot randomised controlled trial

Development of a communication board to enhance communication interactions of mechanically ventilated patients in Sri Lankan intensive care units

Development of a communication board to enhance communication interactions of mechanically ventilated patients in Sri Lankan intensive care units

Impact of Social Network Sites on Developing Brand Communication in Xian City

The digital era mobilises the world cities with various traits and symbolic resources to brand the images of the cities through propagation in Social Media (SM) platforms. This work examines Xian, the fastest developing city in China, which is in the process of building its brand through SM platforms. The model proposed in this work uses elaborative variables that are categorised into four indicators which characterises the behaviours of users in the SM. Each variable is weighted based on the entropy method as each one has a varied level of intensity in the model. The detailed results indicate that the size of the network is a significant factor in construction of brand communication through the SM platforms. Further, the study also includes the descriptive statistics and correlation analysis of individual explanatory variables with the model’s output value. The result of this analysis indicates that connections with friends and a number of followers as crucial factors in board communication of Xian city. This work can guide the local municipal authorities to advertise and influence SM users to create a positive brand of the city.

Electronic Design of a DC-DC Boost Converter for Powering a Lo-Ra Communication Board with Bioelectricity by “Plantas Andinas”

The use of bioelectricity in various areas of science has made it indispensable to resort to new technologies to take full advantage of this natural resource. Plants are living beings, and through their biochemical processes produce a small amount of electricity derived from oxidation-reduction processes. For this reason, it is proposed to use electronic and power techniques to increase the flow of electrons produced by plants of Andean characteristics, and consequently feed a Lo-Ra type communication card, meeting the needs of long-distance data transmission, used in the collection of field information, either in areas where access or availability of power lines is complex. This proposal motivates us to continue working on sustainable energy and the exploitation of natural resources. This document details the theory, practice, and methods used to meet the objective of supplying power to a wireless communication system over a long distance. First, a description of the most important issues to be addressed is developed, and then special focus is given to the design for development of the power electronics circuit, specifically an elevator type DC-DC converter. Finally, the results obtained through the implementation used in this case are documented.
 Keywords: bioelectricity, MFC, boost-converter, Andean plants, totora, Lo-Ra TTGO.
 Resumen
 El uso de bioelectricidad en diversas áreas de la ciencia ha hecho indispensable recurrir a nuevas tecnologías para aprovechar al máximo este recurso natural. Las plantas, como seres vivos, producen una pequeña cantidad de electricidad a través de sus procesos bioquímicos, derivada de procesos de oxidación-reducción. Por esta razón, se propone utilizar técnicas electrónicas y de potencia para aumentar el flujo de electrones producidos por plantas de características andinas, y alimentar así una tarjeta de comunicación de tipo Lo-Ra, satisfaciendo las necesidades de transmisión de datos a larga distancia, utilizadas en la recolección de información de campo, ya sea en áreas donde el acceso o la disponibilidad de líneas eléctricas es compleja Esta propuesta motiva a continuar trabajando en energía sostenible y en la explotación de recursos naturales. Este documento detalla la teoría, práctica y los métodos utilizados para cumplir con el objetivo de suministrar energía a un sistema de comunicación inalámbrico a larga distancia. En primer lugar, se desarrolla una descripción de los temas más importantes a abordar, y luego se presta especial atención al desarrollo del diseño del circuito de electrónica de potencia, específicamente un convertidor DC-DC tipo elevador; y finalmente, se documentan los resultados obtenidos a través de la implementación utilizada en este caso.
 Palabras Clave: bioelectricidad, CCM, convertidor-elevador, plantas andinas, totora, TTGO Lo-Ra.

Emergency and Disaster Preparedness for Individuals Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication: A Pilot Study on Supported Planning Using a Toolkit.

When emergencies or disasters arise, individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) are particularly vulnerable. It is critical that individuals who use AAC are supported to make decisions that impact their own lives and are able to communicate during such a crisis. Preparedness efforts that include a plan around communication needs and supports are necessary for ensuring that individuals who use AAC are able to understand options that ensure personal safety and express their needs during a time of crisis. Qualitative methods were used to identify and describe the experiences of two young adults who use AAC and their caregivers when engaging in person-centered planning intervention sessions to complete the activities of the United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC) emergency/disaster preparedness toolkit. Pre-intervention interviews and subjective, objective, assessment, and plan (SOAP) notes taken after each intervention session were done to describe their preparedness and experiences completing the toolkit. Themes were identified to describe participant experiences and change in their perceived preparedness. Five themes and 18 subthemes emerged from the pre-intervention interviews and the SOAP notes across 14 intervention sessions that captured each participant and their caregiver's awareness of needs, barriers in emergency situations, challenges in completing the toolkit, and actions during person-centered planning with the toolkit (e.g., personalizing communication boards, making a go bag, and scheduling visits with local emergency agencies). This study highlights the need for preparedness activities that are person-centered and account for the communication support needs of individuals who use AAC if faced with an emergency/disaster. Outcomes suggest that these methods were feasible and supported positive change in perceived preparedness in the young adults who used AAC and their caregivers. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.24415567.

Comparison of communication interfaces for mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care

ObjectivesThis study aimed to compare the use of a conventional low-tech communication board and a high-tech eye tracking device to improve communication effectiveness of mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care. DesignA prospective randomized crossover was conducted with a mixed method approach (quantitative primary method and qualitative complementary method) to compare the two technologically opposed communication interfaces. SettingThe mechanically ventilated patients were recruited from the general intensive care unit of the Marie Curie Civil Hospital (Charleroi University Hospital, Belgium). Main outcome measuresThe communication exchanges were assessed through effectiveness indicators covering the quantity of messages transmitted, success rate, patient satisfaction, communication content and difficulties of use. ResultsThe sample consisted of 44 mechanically ventilated patients, covering 88 communication exchanges. The intervention effects on the quantity of messages transmitted (two median messages per exchange for the board versus four median messages per exchange for the eye tracking, p < 0.0001), success rate (80 % for the board versus 100 % for the eye tracking, p < 0.05) and patient satisfaction (66 % “not satisfied”, 32 % “satisfied” and 2 % “dissatisfied” for the board versus 52 % “satisfied” and 48 % “very satisfied” for the eye tracking, p < 0.0001) were significant. The communication content covered eight themes for the board compared to nine themes for the eye tracking and the use difficulties included four categories for the board as well as for the eye tracking. ConclusionThe eye tracking device may further improve communication effectiveness of mechanically ventilated patients compared to the conventional communication board, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Implications for clinical practiceThe implementation of high-tech communication devices based on eye tracking in intensive care practice can significantly contribute to patient-centered care by improving communication of mechanically ventilated patients.

Heating Facilities Temperature Control System in Turiba University

Abstract The paper presents results on design and implementation the monitoring system to control temperature of heating facilities in Turiba university. Key point of the project was implementation the internet of things ideas into proposed system. A design and prototyping of hardware circuits, including used sensors and hardware control and communication boards based on Raspberry PI Pico platform, is described. Developed software solution for the control board, implemented with the use of MicroPython programming language, and user interface with the use of JavaScript programming language, are presented. Results of experimental verification of developed solutions confirmed correctness of all anticipated results. Developed platform could be used for further investigation on microclimate control systems for buildings.

Reflections on Building a Multi-Country AAC Implementation Guide.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) implementation at any level is a multifaceted process that requires selection of relevant and appropriate systems to suit individual users who may have complex communication needs and other co-occurring difficulties. Careful and systematic action may be required to develop skills and abilities in the use of chosen technologies with suitable ongoing support within a wide range of settings. The wider milieu in which services are provided must also be considered in order to provide a firm foundation for capacity building alongside considerations for multilingual and multicultural factors. UNICEF with the Global Symbols team supported by local professionals working with AAC users, their families and carers set out to collaboratively provide an implementation guide based on their experiences in several Eastern European countries. The aim of the guide was to illustrate work already being undertaken in the area and to ensure the sharing of knowledge and resources where gaps were discovered. The result became a series of linked webpages in an online framework that covered practical aspects for the development of policies and procedures to support early intervention for those with severe speech, language and communication needs across countries of differing cultures and languages. The actual AAC implementation required ingenuity on all sides with translations for pictographic symbol and software adaptations with Cyrillic and Latin alphabets, new synthetic voices alongside deployment and capacity development. Considerable local support was forthcoming and captured with interviews by those working with AAC users as technology was introduced and outcomes measured. As the guide was completed several videos were shared publicly by carers with examples of AAC and assistive technology use. Policies and procedures were also shared in the form of tables, charts, symbol sets, communication boards and software that illustrated not only the occurrence of knowledge transfer and the use of open licenses, but also differences in strategies and the way they were adapted to suit the range of settings in the various countries.

CONSTRUCTION OF ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION INSTRUMENT TO ACCESS BASIC EMOTIONS IN ICU PATIENTS

Introduction: Patients under treatment in intensive care units (ICU) may have communicative restrictions caused by various factors such as tracheostomy, intubation, and muscle weakness. The use of alternative and augmentative communication resources (CAA) aims to break the existing communication barriers and enable the individual a way to express themselves. Objectives: To build non-verbal communication boards aiming to identify basic emotions in ICU patients and evaluate their contribution and effectiveness when used with patients in speech deprivation conditions. Method: This is an exploratory study, with a quali-quantitative approach, divided into three stages: Step 1: Preliminary study, with the testing of stimuli representative of basic emotions, with a sample of 543 subjects. Step 2: Comparison of the presentation of the stimuli in the physical and digitized version involving a non-clinical population, composed of 60 individuals. Stage 3: case study with one participant, male, 65 years old, admitted to an ICU. Results: A board was developed containing 8 basic emotions and a neutral face and a board with a thermometer to measure the intensity of emotions. There were no significant differences in the application of the board in physical and virtual modality. In the application of the physical boards in participant of a ICU, this indicated that the boards contributed to the communication of their emotions. Conclusion: Considering the importance of the use of (AAC) and its implication in the mental health of the subject the boards were characterized as effective in the psychological care to the patient and emotional evaluation of the latter.