title: Special text messaging communication systems for persons with multiple disabilities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To expand recently-developed text messaging systems with new technology-based solutions so as to allow persons with multiple disabilities to write messages.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two case studies were conducted. In Study I, the new technology-based solution involved vocal scanning of the alphabet letters to allow letter selection/writing and was assessed with a woman with blindness and extensive motor disability. In Study II, the new technology-based solution involved a touch-screen superimposed on letter symbols arranged alphabetically and was assessed with a man with acquired brain injury, motor disability and lack of speech. Each study involved an ABAB design.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants learned to write their messages, to send them out and to listen to incoming messages during intervention sessions of nearly 30 and 20 minutes, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Text messaging systems can be developed that allow participants with multiple disabilities to write messages.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Via Quintino Sella 268, Bari, Italy. g.lancioni@psico.uniba.it
authors.forename: Giulio E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Lancioni
authors.forename: Mark F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: O'Reilly
authors.forename: Nirbhay N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Vanessa A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Doretta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oliva
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Buonocunto
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Colonna
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Navarro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001766:Blindness / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D003199:Computer Systems; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012107:Research Design; D049250:Speech Recognition Software; D060145:Text Messaging / Q000295:instrumentation