The paper details the current state of the art in applying technology to communication with the disabled. Noted is the increased application of modularity to hardware design allowing upgrading as improvements become available. After definitions of such key terms as "conversation,""control," and "computer access," the paper looks at components of aid systems including the physical interface, the selection technique, acceleration techniques, output forms, and the underlying processes involved in communication and control activities. Specifically critiqued are aid systems in the area of voice output, synthetic speech for telephone communication, visual displays accompanying voice output devices, and computer access and control. (DB)