Developing a Computer-Mediated Communication Community (CMCC): Re-Imagining Speech-Language Intervention for Individuals with Acquired Neurogenic Communication Disorders Julie A. Hengst Chip Bruce, Adele Proctor

CMCC Uses Web-based & Telecommunications Technologies to: bring social & communicative opportunities to individuals isolated by communication disorders use the affordances of computer-mediated communication to scaffold successful communicative interactions amplify therapeutic effects of direct treatment by by bringing CMCC into clinical spaces

CMCC for Adults Managing Communication Disorders Adults with mild to moderate-severe: –Aphasia –Right Hemisphere Syndrome –Traumatic Brain Injury Family, friends, caregivers Professionals –Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) –Student SLPs

Technology Application Build on existing software & hardware for: –Clinical Sites –CMCC Labs—community/ home sites Supported Access to: –CMCC Gateway CMCC Calendar & Announcements Members’ Home Pages & Blogs Threaded Topic-Specific Discussion Groups Professional (SLP) Continuing Education Site Webzine Chat Rooms – , regular mail, telephone –Video Conferencing, FTF meetings

Target Outcomes for CMCC Create a virtual community directed to the needs of individuals managing aphasia, RHS, TBI Re-connect communicatively isolated individuals to social & communicative worlds –Social support –Information gathering –Communicative opportunities Develop new SLP interventions using web-based & telecommunication technologies Identify supports needed for accessing CMCC –Adapt existing (or develop new) software & hardware –Identify training & ongoing support needs

CMCC draws on Community Inquiry Labs (CILs) –Community Technology Centers (ESLARP)

Using CIL as a model to support researcher communities and ongoing inquiry into telerehabilitation Adapting CIL to address the special needs of research in telerehabilitation CIL—Supporting Research on Telerehabilitation