A special messaging technology for two persons with acquired brain injury and multiple disabilities

Objective: To enable two persons with acquired brain injury and multiple (e.g. motor and visual) disabilities to communicate with distant partners through a special messaging technology, which served to send out text messages and read (listen to) incoming messages. Method: The study was carried out according to a multiple probe design across participants. Both participants (adults) started with baseline in which the technology was not available and continued with intervention in which the technology was used. The technology involved a net-book computer provided with specific software, a global system for mobile communication (GSM) modem, microswitches and pre-recorded lists of persons and messages. Results: The participants’ mean frequencies of messages sent out and received per 30-minute session were about three and two, respectively, during baseline and seven and four, respectively, during the intervention. All baseline messages were sent and received with guidance. Nearly all intervention messages were sent and received (listened to) independently by the participants. Conclusions: Special messaging technology may help persons with multiple disabilities acquire high levels of independent, basic communication with distant partners.

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