Study Proves Assistive Technologies Improve Users' Lives

High-tech assistive communication can significantly improve quality of life for people with disabilities while delivering clear economic benefits to society, found a new U.S. health economic study by the research firm Augur and Boston College. It evaluated the impact of high-tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in the United States for people with cerebral palsy, autism, and ALS, as well as caregivers.

The findings show that assistive communication is an investment with measurable returns:

• Pays for itself more than three times over.
• Delivers a return on investment of 3.3 times.
• Improves users' quality of life by 65 percent.

Users reported meaningful improvements across communication, participation, and well-being:

• 72 percent can better express their own desires and preferences.
• 69 percent feel encouraged to communicate.
• 53 percent are better able to express health needs and issues.
• Among people with ALS, a majority can communicate digitally, express health needs, and call for help more easily.
• Caregivers report less guesswork, better understanding of user needs, and reduced worry. 

"This study reinforces what we see every day: when people have access to high-tech assistive communication, it changes what's possible, helping individuals participate more fully in life while also delivering clear value for families, systems, and society," said Tara Rudnicki, president for North America at Tobii Dynavox, which was also involved in the study.

"As someone who has worked alongside individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication for many years, it is encouraging to see research that reinforces what many families, educators, and clinicians have witnessed firsthand. Access to communication opens doors to education, employment, relationships, healthcare, and self-advocacy. These findings highlight that investing in augmentative and alternative communication benefits individuals, families, and society," said Elizabeth.Stewart, a research assistant professor in the Department of Special Education at The University of Alabama.