Aphasia iPad User Group: Establishing a Collaboration between Users, Therapists and Researchers

Aim of the paper: In this paper we report on the establishment of an iPad User Group (IUG) for adults with aphasia. A collaboration between Speakeasy, Dundee University’s School of Computing and the Tayside Speech and Language Therapy service, we will present feedback from on our experiences and future developments.

Method/Activities/Technique: A focus group, facilitated by two Speech and Language Therapists, was held to gather feedback from members of the IUG. The aim was to evaluate the first ten sessions of the IUG to inform future planning of the group and generate ideas for improvements to the focus and remit of the group.

Results/Findings: Focus group participants were asked to reflect on three aspects: 1) Things you want to keep happening in the group or want more of; 2) Things you want to stop happening in the group or want less of; 3) Things you want to start.

Conclusions: The Speakeasy and School of Computing collaboration is still young but already enjoys much enthusiasm from all participating parties. Members of the IUG expressed an interest in participating in teaching and research, with less focus on therapy delivered by the health service and more integration with the School of Computing.