On Tuesday 08 Feb 2005 16:46, Rhonda Davis wrote:
> Thank you so much for your help! I am working on my dissertation at Penn
> State University examining the meaning of the experience of being diverse
> and using AAC.  I have attached a flyer about the study to give you more
> information.

I've converted the "flyer" to text ('cos some people won't have received it
properly:-

===============================================================

There is an exciting, new project examining the life experiences of
non-European Americans who use augmentative and alternative communication
(AAC).  We are interested in learning about how non-European Americans use
AAC, interact with individuals in their environment, and discrimination
issues pertaining to being non-European American and using AAC.  We also want
to identify suggestions regarding improving AAC services and systems
non-European Americans who use AAC want to make AAC services and systems more
appropriate.

What will happen during the study?

We will be interviewing non-European Americans who use AAC to learn about
their life experiences.  All interviews will be individual and confidential.
Participants will be videotaped during the interviews at a location of their
choice (for example, their home, work, etc.).  After the interviews are
completed, the participants will review information gathered from the
interviews so that the participants can comment on the information and the
accuracy of the information.  Follow-up after the interviews will be
completed either by email or postal mail.

Who can participate in the interviews?

Individuals who want to participate in the project must
1.  use aided AAC (a light tech or high tech device) for part of their
communication needs for at least one year,
2.  be non-European American,
3.  have experiences interacting with people of their same ethnic identity and
with people from a different ethnic identity,
4.  have the willingness and ability to discuss their life experiences in face
to face interviews and through written correspondence,
5.  give/sign a consent form to participate in research.

There are also opportunities for parents of non-European American individuals
who use AAC and speech language pathologists.
        Parents who meet the following criteria can participate:
        1.  parent of a non-European American who have used at least one aided AAC
communication for at least one year,
        2.  parent who have experience interacting with people of their same
ethnicity and people from a different ethnicity as related to their child's
AAC needs,
        3.  parent who have the willingness and ability to discuss their life
experiences in face to face interviews and through written correspondence,
and
        4.  parent must sign a consent form to participate in research.

        Speech language pathologists who meet the following criteria can participate:
        1.  SLPs who provided services to non-European American individuals who use
AAC,
        2.  SLPs who have experience interacting with people of their same ethnicity
and people from a different ethnicity as related to job duties,
        3.  SLPs who have the willingness and ability to discuss their life
experiences in face to face interviews and through written correspondence,
and
        4.  SLPs must sign a consent form to participate.

How will individuals who use AAC participate in the study?

Participants will recall events in their life and tell us about them while we
videotape information.  After the three interviews (each interview may take
1-2 sessions) the participants will respond to written information sent to
them via email or postal mail.  Each participant will receive up to $100
dollars prorated over the course of the study in recognition of their time
and effort.

How can I get more information?

Please contact us by email, phone, or postal mail (see below).  We will send
you information about the project, and give you an opportunity to provide
"informed consent" before you participate in the study.

Rhonda Davis and Kathryn Drager
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
110 Moore Building
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA, 16802
Phone: 814 863-6184
Email: [log in to unmask] (Rhonda Davis)    [log in to unmask] (Kathryn Drager)