Abstract
This paper covers the current technical limitations of communication aids, reasons why people hesitate and/or reject using them, the limitations in using communication aids for people with cognitive disabilities, and the effects of using such systems. Although there are some technical limitations, techniques have been developed for coping with the limitations so that such systems could be helpful for people with cognitive disabilities.
The biggest problem tends to be the lack of knowledge among rehabilitation and education staff of how to communication aids could be used by people with cognitive disabilities.
In addition, this paper discusses future trends in the development of communication aids. Information Technology (IT) makes possible not only face-to-face and voice-based communication, but also communicating while not face to face, and communication via text. Internet technology may make it possible to incorporate words and messages automatically into a communication. These types of technology would be useful for people with disabilities, but also might be of help for everyone.
