title: Communication Services and Supports for Individuals With Severe Disabilities: Guidance for Assessment and Intervention.
abstract: The National Joint Committee for the Communication Needs of People With Severe Disabilities (NJC) reviewed literature regarding practices for people with severe disabilities in order to update guidance provided in documents originally published in 1992. Changes in laws, definitions, and policies that affect communication attainments by persons with severe disabilities are presented, along with guidance regarding assessment and intervention practices. A revised version of the Communication Bill of Rights, a powerful document that describes the communication rights of all individuals, including those with severe disabilities is included in this article. The information contained within this article is intended to be used by professionals, family members, and individuals with severe disabilities to inform and advocate for effective communication services and opportunities.
authors.affiliation: Nancy Brady, University of Kansas, Speech Language Hearing Sciences and Disorders, Lawrence, KS. The National Joint Committee on the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities Members:
authors.forename: Nancy C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.affiliation: Susan Bruce, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA;
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.affiliation: Amy Goldman, College of Education, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA;
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.affiliation: Karen Erickson, The Center for Literacy & Disability Studies University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC;
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Erickson
authors.affiliation: Beth Mineo, Human Development & Family Studies, University of Delaware, Newark, DE;
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mineo
authors.affiliation: Bill T. Ogletree, College of Education & Allied Professions, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC;
authors.forename: Bill T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Ogletree
authors.affiliation: Diane Paul, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Rockville, MD;
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.affiliation: Mary Ann Romski, Department of Communication, Georgia State University Atlanta, GA;
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Romski
authors.affiliation: Rose Sevcik, Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA;
authors.forename: Rose
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sevcik
authors.affiliation: Ellin Siegel, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Special Education Department, Lincoln, NE;
authors.forename: Ellin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Siegel
authors.affiliation: Judith Schoonover, Loudoun County Public Schools, Ashburn, VA;
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schoonover
authors.affiliation: Marti Snell, Curry School, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA;
authors.forename: Marti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Snell
authors.affiliation: Lorraine Sylvester, University of Oklahoma, Health Sciences Center, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Allied Health, Oklahoma City, OK; and.
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sylvester
authors.affiliation: Krista Wilkinson, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Penn State University, State College, PA.
authors.forename: Krista
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D003147:Communication Disorders; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D006296:Health Services; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D028701:Patient Rights; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
keywords: Severe disabilities; advocacy; assessment; communication; intervention; rights