The Communication and Assistive Device Lab (CADL) studies talk-in-interaction and the interplay between human conversants and their communication technologies. Special attention has been paid to Individuals with Complex Communication Needs who use Augmentative Communication Technologies to mediate their social interactions.

CADL currently collaborates with the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies (UNC – Chapel Hill) on a 5-year grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation, Engineering Research. The purpose of Project OPEN is to:

Determine the role of composition delay in creating problems for individuals with CCN and their partners in carrying out in-person interactions

Identify the strategies use by participants to stay in-time and\/or overcome problems during talk-in-interaction.

Identify interaction similarities and differences across individuals with ALS, cerebral palsy, and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Build a web-based open-source AAC prototype for research and development.