Multimodal Communication

The use of multiple channels and resources simultaneously during interaction, including speech, gesture, gaze, facial expression, body movement, writing, drawing, and physical artifacts. All human communication is inherently multimodal, but this concept is especially significant in accessibility contexts where individuals may rely more heavily on non-verbal channels. For people with aphasia, multimodal communication recognizes that spoken language is just one resource among many, and that competent communication can be achieved through the skilled orchestration of gesture, pointing, writing, and engagement with physical objects like communication diaries. Designing for multimodal communication means supporting rather than replacing the diverse ways people naturally express themselves.