September 12, 2022

My name is Julia Nicolosi and I am a graduate student from the Communication Sciences and Disorders department at the University of New Hampshire. I am here to invite you to participate in my research study investigating the speech and accuracy of accessing high-technology augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices (IRB-FY2022-316).

You may be eligible if you:

1.Are above 18 years old and can sign the consent form.

2.Can point using one or two fingers.

3.Have no self-reported history of premorbid communication, motor, or neurological disorders: You must be able to follow verbal instructions.

4.Do not wear glasses (contact lenses are ok).

5.Pass a screening of auditory comprehension, motor control, and vision.Individuals who cannot participate on assigned days and times will be excluded.

Individuals who fail the screening procedures will be excluded. Individuals who wear glasses instead of contact lenses will be excluded. Participants will wear an eye-tracking device that cannot be worn over eyeglasses.

Choosing to participate in this study will require 7 sessions ranging from 45 minutes to 2hours, ~10 hours total. The first session will require screening and baseline testing. The second through fifth sessions will require participants to practice a list of vocabulary on the AAC device using two different practice schedules: blocked and randomized. In the last two sessions of the study, participants will be tested on their memory of the vocabulary.

Participation is completely voluntary. If you’re interested in participating or have any questions about the study, please email me at Julia.Nicolosi@usnh.edu or my faculty advisor, Dr. Chen, at szu-han.chen@unh.edu.