RAT group research cited in Parliamentary debate on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

6^th June saw Paul Maynard, Member of Parliament for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, lead a debate in the House of Commons on the 'Future commissioning arrangements of augmentative and alternative communication services'.

As part of the evidence he provided for the debate, he cited the work done on the Communication Matters – Research Matters: an AAC evidence base project. This project was led by Communication Matters, the UK charity that helps people of all ages and ability who use AAC with research conducted by RAT group researchers at the University of Sheffield to establish use, need and provision of AAC in the UK. Specifically, Paul Maynard MP quoted the figures for need and use of powered aided communication in the UK as found in the project’s publications, `Shining a light on Augmentative and Alternative Communication’ and ‘Beyond the anecdote: Examining the need for, and provision of, AAC in the United Kingdom’:

“We know the level of provision and unmet need: 0.014% of the population currently use a powered aid, but total need is 0.05%.”

(Hansard, 6 Jun 2013: Column 1774)

The full transcript of the debate can be read in the Hansard entry.