![A researcher talking to a person using an interactive assistive communication device](https://www.mmu.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/page_header_half/public/2021-03/Communication-disability_5.jpg?h=7cfbf71f&itok=yQW-YRek)
Research cluster: Communication disability
Connecting with practitioners and service users to enable those with communication disability to fulfil their potential.
About our research
About our research
Our research focuses on severe communication impairments.
This includes people who are either losing their speech or language skills, or those who have never been able to use speech, and require electronic assistance to supplement their speech attempts.
Our members include world-leading experts from disciplines including speech and language therapy, psychology and linguistics.
Many have worked as practitioners in the NHS or in independent practice and understand the implications of communication disability on the lives of those it affects and their families.
People with a communication disability are recognised nationally as hard to reach and difficult to involve in research.
Using translational research and real-life contexts, we lead on the inclusion of people with communication disability and their families as co-researchers in our activities.
Our research areas
We conduct applied research in a number of areas including:
- augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
- atypical language learning
- developmental and acquired communication disabilities
- policy and service provision in the UK
- people with communication disabilities in the UK and low and middle-income countries
- school readiness
- international speech and language therapy education
- communication disability related to learning disabilities
- dysphagia
Hear from our lead researcher
Professor Janice Murray explains the postgraduate research opportunities available within communication disability.Our collaborations
We work with universities nationally and internationally, and with external partners from the NHS and social care.
Our third sector collaborators include:
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Communication Matters
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1Voice
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The Stroke Association
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Twinkleboost
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The ACE Centre
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Barnsley Assistive Technology Service/NHS Foundation Trust
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The Seashell Trust
Our featured research
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Key publications
- Murray, J, Lynch, Y, Goldbart, J, Moulam, L, Judge, S and Webb, E et al (2020) The decision-making process in recommending electronic communication aids for children and young people who are non-speaking: the I-ASC mixed-methods study. Health Service Delivery Research 2020;8(45)
Contact
Contact us
You can contact individual members of the team through their staff profiles.
For general enquiries, please contact research group lead Prof Janice Murray.