Evmenova, Anna S.Ainsworth, Melissa Kay2015-02-122015-02-122014https://hdl.handle.net/1920/9173For students who have severe and multiple disabilities including intellectual disabilities, complex communication needs, physical and/or sensory disabilities, there are many barriers to literacy acquisition. Some barriers are a result of extensive support needs, some due to the attitudes and low expectations of parents, teachers, and administrators, and some are due to a general shortage of evidence-based research supporting effective instructional strategies for use with this student population (Agran, 2011; Bailey, Angell, & Stoner, 2011). However, literacy remains a "critical component of an independent adult life" (Downing, 2005, p. 12). Literacy also remains an elusive reality for many individuals with severe and multiple disabilities.301 pagesenCopyright 2014 Melissa Kay AinsworthSpecial educationReading instructionEducationALL CurriculumAugmentative and Alternative CommunicationAutismGroup InstructionIntellectual DisabilityLiteracyDissertation