Improving Communication Through Technology: UA Researchers Host WE CARE Camp for Children with Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices”.

Two professors from the U of A College of Education and Health Professions have set up a research lab to improve the lives of individuals with communication difficulties. They are hosting a free camp for children this summer through their WE CARE program. The camp is open to children aged 4-10 who use or are potential users of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices.

The camp will run on campus from July 8-26, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Children of all levels of experience with AAC devices are welcome to participate in the camp. AAC devices allow individuals with limited speech to communicate by selecting images or words on a tablet, enhancing interactions with family, friends, and others in educational and social settings.

During the camp, children will participate in STEM-themed activities and be paired with peers who do not use AAC devices. Families are encouraged to enroll their children for all three weeks, but a commitment of at least two weeks is required. The camp will be staffed by students from various programs within the college, including teacher education, communication disorders, and occupational therapy.

The camp facilitators, Elizabeth Lorah and Christine Holyfield, are professors at the U of A specializing in special education and communication sciences and disorders respectively. They have established an Augmentative and Alternative Communication research lab at the university that focuses on developing instructional techniques and technologies for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

For more information about the camp or to apply, individuals can contact Elizabeth Lorah at lorah@uark