Mark Ylvisaker's influence on scripts, videos, and projects within a South African context

Abstract

The current article overviews a range of collaborative group projects undertaken by members of the Conversation Groups for individuals living with aphasia and cognitive-communication disorders in the Department of Communication Pathology, University of Pretoria, South Africa. Projects work toward creating networks of support and lessening barriers for the individual living with aphasia and cognitive-communication disorders. The article highlights the pervasive and far-reaching influence across continents of Professor Mark Ylvisaker's philosophy, writings, and personal teachings on both Conversation Group projects as well as student clinician-training practice in the University of Pretoria context. In addition, Ylvisaker's influence is described on the development of a collaborative communication partner-training program within a South African retail supermarket environment, highlighting the effort to remove barriers between employees and customers with a cognitive-communication disability specifically.