Gracie Williams has been a research assistant at the UW-Milwaukee Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Laboratory with Dr. Shelley Lund (sklund@uwm.edu) since the spring of 2021. AAC can be used as a mode of communication for individuals with complex communication needs such as those with cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and much more. This lab focuses on research related to assistive communication devices including people who use these devices, professionals that provide services related to them, industries and manufacturers that produce the products, governing bodies that create laws and regulations surrounding AAC technology, and more.  

Now, Gracie is working on a project that examines how Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) who use AAC are represented in the industry and through their devices. To do this, the team conducted interviews with AAC users who meet these criteria as well as their families to ask questions about their experiences with their devices, professionals in the field, and AAC manufacturers. The team also asked questions about how they felt they could better be represented and what ideas they may have to improve this emerging industry.  

Gracie is beyond thrilled to continue her senior year as a SERA recipient and be a representative of the Office of Undergraduate research. After graduating at UWM, she plans to continue her education and get her master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders to become a Speech Language Pathologist.