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The article discusses the implications of international disability legislation for augmentative and alternative communication. The provision of assistive technology and equipment as an important measure towards the equalization of opportunities in within the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities of the United Nations. Assistive technology including communication aids is regarded as a health responsibility in Norway.

The article focuses on Mohamed Abu Nasser, the first non-speaking Israeli Arab with cerebral palsy to experiment using the Hebrew synthetic speech technology. Through his poems, he has stressed the impact of augmentative communication devices for people with disabilities like him in order to express emotions and goals. He also asserted the importance of acceptance and relationships through communication.

The conference paper "AAC with Girls with Rett Syndrome" is presented. The paper was presented at the 12th Biennial Conference of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) held in Dusseldorf, Germany from July 29 to August 5, 2006. It discusses the results of the Rett Syndrome Center's rehabilitation and educational assessment project for girls with Rett Syndrome.

The article reports on the project designed and implemented for the purpose of advocating for government recognition of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in Israel. To set a process into motion whereby AAC services and equipment would be recognized and financially supported by the various ministries within the government is the major goal of the program. The project aims to obtain an exemption from the payment of import and purchase taxes on AAC equipment.

The article discusses how Blissymbolics is used as an approach to augmentative and alternative communication for individuals with communicative disorders. Blissymbolics is a semantic-based graphic system created by Charles Bliss for the purpose of promoting international communication, understanding, and cooperation.

The article focuses on the development of a three-step assessment model which aims to assess the augmentative communication-assistive technology assessments for young pre-school aged children within their educational settings in Israel. The scheme tries to evaluate the communication needs of pre-schoolers and stress the role of the educational authorities in financing augmentative and alternative communication to individuals.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a supervised adapted computer training program in increasing the vocational opportunities of physically disabled adults. This was accomplished by: (1) identifying the adapted access approach that will enable each participant to operate a computer in the most efficient manner; (2) providing basic training in the use of the adaptation; (3) providing a structured, individualized program of computer instruction which will teach the basic components of computer literacy. Outcome measures included factors related to subjects' data entry performance, competency in computer usage and work habits. Data entry performance (speed and accuracy) was measured and three tests of computer usage competency were given at intervals throughout the course. The subject's work habits (e.g. punctuality, independence, completion of homework) were evaluated at the end of each lesson. The results indicate that an individualized computer instruction course based on a customized workbook and trained volunteers can be successfully carried out without creating a significant burden on existing staff resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mish'aul is a primary resource center for children and adults from throughout Israel who are in need of augmentative communication and/or assistive devices. The purpose of this paper to illustrate through case presentations how a national evaluation center can meet both short and long term communication needs of a diverse population, while taking into account a range of factors including the cultural, religious, linguistic and socioeconomic background of the client as well as his place and type of residence, the professional training and knowledge of those persons associated with the client and the possibilities of providing training to the appropriate caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conference paper "Barriers to Implementation Following Assessment" is presented. The paper was presented at the 12th Biennial Conference of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) held in Dusseldorf, Germany from July 29 to August 5, 2006. It describes barriers to the determination appropriate AAC intervention strategies.

The article discusses the assessment in communication intervention as an integral part of every step in the intervention process. Assessment is understood as part of a problem-solving process which lasts throughout the whole intervention cycle. The primary purpose of intervention is to support persons with disabilities in their functioning and to promote the quality of life in the long run for the individual and his family.

The article discusses the results of the hearing screening using the technology of Otoacoustic Emission at the Special Olympics European Games in Groningen, Netherlands in 2000 and the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Anchorage, Alaska in 2001. Results show that 29 percent of the athletes failed the hearing screening and 47 percent of them also flunked tympanometric measurements. Screening presents numerous ear canal hygiene problems including blocked ear canals.

Information about several papers discussed at the annual conference of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication held in Israel in 1996 is presented. The conference discusses topics on augmentative and alternative communication, as well as the importance of training communication partners to support both input and output learning of people with disabilities. Furthermore, the conference also emphasizes the need for training in self-determination.

Information about several issues discussed at the biennial conference of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication held in Washington D.C. in 2000 is presented. The meeting tackled several legislation for people with disabilities in various countries around the world. Different approaches in interpreting a legislation for the purpose of obtaining recognition and coverage of augmentative and alternative communication services and equipment have also been identified.

The article focuses on a survey to investigate both demographic as well as cultural aspects of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) usage among children who have been identified as users of AAC. Questionnaires were sent to parents of children for whom it was known that AAC systems had been recommended. Parents were also required to provide information describing the child's AAC system as ell as information regarding AAC usage and parental attitudes toward the AAC concept.

The article presents a study on the clinical observation and solutions for Augmentative Communication and Assistive Devices in Jerusalem, Israel. The study shows that most parents of children who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) do not advocate for their children within education, rehabilitation and social services. An advocacy training program is needed for parents of children who use AAC to gain the knowledge and strength to be advocates and develop self-advocacy skills.

The article focuses on the effect of bilingualism/multilingualism on augmentative and communication disorder application in Israel. The purpose of the study is to determine how users who had instruction in the learning of Blissymbols going in the right to left direction will perceive the directionality of the second gloss and to compare this perception to that of users who have been instructed in the use of picture communication symbols.

The article presents a study on the development of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) courses in Central European countries. The first course was presented in the Czech Republic which provided the participants the basic AAC material and enable them to implement AAC with whom they work. The second course was presented in Hungary where the discussion focused on the technology applications for persons with severe communication impairments.

The article discusses the involvement of augmentative and alternative communication users in the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC), Israeli Chapter. It points out the goal of the ISAAC Chapter to promote the rights, needs and abilities of ACC users. It also details of the activities of the ISAAC chapter and published excerpts of the said events.

A communication group consisting of three pre-school cerebral palsy children using AAC and their therapy and educational staff was formed as a milieu for enhancing and facilitating spontaneous communicative interaction and emerging literacy for these children. This video presentation will discuss the rationale for forming the communication group and will visually demonstrate the progrssive phases of this program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]