Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) College of Education and Applied Human Sciences has been awarded funding through the WHAS Crusade for Children to support the project, “ALL Voices Heard: Assistive Learning and Language Tools for Children with Special Education Needs.”
Authored by Drs. Kellie Ellis, Jade Robinson, Rebecca Crawford and Jiyeon Park, the grant provides $8,000 in assistive and adaptive technology to enhance communication, learning and participation for children served through EKU’s clinical and educational programs. Funded items include a range of assistive communication and access tools, including a specialized speech-generating tablet that helps individuals with complex communication needs express themselves using symbols, words and touch-based technology, as well as communication buttons and switch interfaces for tablets, which allow users with limited motor abilities to access technology more independently. The grant also supports switch-adapted toys, helping young children engage in play while building communication skills.
These tools will be utilized across academic programs in the college, including applied human sciences, educator preparation and communication sciences and disorders (CSD), which houses the EKU Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic. Together, these programs serve children with a wide range of communication, developmental and educational needs while also training future educators, speech-language pathologists and related professionals.
“We are incredibly grateful to the WHAS Crusade for Children for their generosity and commitment to supporting children with communication and learning needs,” said Dr. Ellis, chair and professor in EKU’s Department of Clinical Therapeutic Programs. “This funding allows us to expand access to innovative assistive technology while creating meaningful opportunities for collaboration across our clinical, educational and community programs. We are excited to continue working together to ensure that every child has the tools and support needed to communicate, learn and thrive.”
Assistive technology improves academic outcomes, communication skills and social participation for children with disabilities. By increasing access to tools like Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices and switch-adapted technology, the ALL Voices Heard project aims to foster independence, inclusion and meaningful engagement for children across the region.
In addition to directly benefiting children and families, the grant provides EKU students with hands-on experience using industry-relevant tools during their clinical and educational training.
“It is essential for CSD students to have practice with AAC technologies, as it allows them to develop clinical competence and confidence to effectively support individuals with complex communication needs,” said Dr. Robinson, associate professor in EKU’s Department of Clinical Therapeutic Programs.
Tristan Emmons, a first-year graduate student in speech-language pathology, said, “Having access to this device is meaningful to me as a graduate student in the EKU CSD program. It is one thing to learn about AAC in class, but having hands-on experience with a device like this helps bridge the gap between theory and real clinical application. It makes me feel more prepared and confident going into future clinical settings where I may work with individuals who rely on AAC for communication.”
By Amanda Balltrip
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