ORONO – People who are recuperating from a stroke are being sought for a research project by Judy Walker, a University of Maine assistant professor in communication science and disorders. The purpose is to study the effect of stroke on the ability to understand language.

Participants must have had a stroke that may have caused difficulty understanding and speaking with others, paying attention and remembering, solving problems or recognizing visual cues.

Walker has a doctorate from the University of Massachusetts. She has 25 years of clinical practice and many years of experience in clinical research.

Walker and her students have developed a testing system that uses a computer to play words and sentences and to record a subject’s responses. She will work with participants in their homes and other settings. The initial screening will last for about an hour.

People who qualify for additional testing will spend two to three hours, which can be spread over two sessions. Participants will receive a free hearing screening and language test. Those interested may call Walker at 581-2003.