Notes on the Domesday Dataset Paper

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices provide the ability for many people with disabilities to make themselves understood. For the large proportion of users with an intellectual disability, these devices may be their only means of communication. Estimates of the number of AAC devices in use are vague and lack transparency. This prevents researchers from answering key questions like “How many people per 1,000 are using electronic AAC?”, and “On average, how much money would fund a person’s AAC use for 12 months?”. This work presents the ‘Domesday Dataset’, allowing researchers to answer research, policy, and prevalence questions on the landscape of AAC use within the UK. This dataset was constructed by making several hundred Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. These requests asked public bodies who purchase AAC devices in the UK to supply details of every AAC purchase since 2006 including make, model, and year of purchase.