What is AAC, anyway?

• What is AAC? (Assistiveware) - An introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). What is AAC and who is it for? What are the different types of AAC? What are the benefits of AAC?

• Communication Matters - “AAC is a range of strategies and tools from simple letter or picture boards to sophisticated computer technologies. AAC helps someone to communicate as effectively as possible, in as many situations as possible.”

How to talk about AAC and AAC users (according to them)

• Assistiveware (Zisk & Konyn) - In 2022, AssistiveWare ran a survey asking people with a variety of relationships to AAC what they thought about 119 different words and phrases. The first research of its kind, the survey resonated deeply with the community—in total 556 people participated.

Communication Aid Advice / Assessment & Professional Support

• Ace Centre North – Independent advice and information about assistive technology, including training, recommendations, resources, and access methods.

• CALL Scotland – "Communication Aids for Language and Learning", University of Edinburgh site, offering training, resources and information related to the education of children with severe communication disability.

• Candle – organisation promoting inclusion and supporting people with complex needs.

• Cenmac – supports the communication needs of physically disabled pupils and students who are receiving their education in schools and colleges throughout inner London.

• Communication Matters – Up to date information, including conferences, regular journal, personal stories for professionals, people using AAC and families. Chat forum and plenty of contacts. UK branch of ISAAC

• http://www.ispeak.org.uk/ – A voice for people with selective mutism.

• ICAN – raises awareness of the importance of speech, language and communication across the children's workforce and to enable practitioners to access the best training and expertise to support the communication needs of all children.

• PrAACtical AAC – PrAACtical AAC is written by two professors of speech-language pathology, Robin Parker and Carole Zangari, who are passionate about AAC. Our blog is a virtual space where we can muse aloud about the state of the field, share information about implementing AAC strategies, provide resources, and discuss news of interest to the AAC community.

• The AAC Institute – A resource for: People who rely on AAC, their families and friends, Professionals and Educators, Researchers, Developers and Manufacturers, Funding and other Parties.

Family/User Support

• Check the Map – a comprehensive site of resources for people with learning disability.

• Communication Activities (Commtap) – A place to find communication activities/events/trainings for all ages.

• Contact a Family – support and advice for parents and a directory giving information on over 1,000 rare syndromes and disorders.

• Demand – design and manufacture any equipment that helps improve quality of life for anyone who will benefit. Their service is free of charge.

• Drake Music – Drake Music breaks down disabling barriers to music through innovative approaches to learning, teaching and making music

• Martin Pistorius – This is a link to Martin, who speaks via a computer/communication software, and wrote a book about his ordeal with Cryptococcal meningitis. His book is called Ghost Boy.

• Scope – Scope's aim is that disabled people achieve equality: a society in which they are as valued, and have the same human and civil rights as everyone else.

• Simons Able – Simon works with a wide range of people, focusing on self-confidence, communication and personal identity. He works with families in a mentoring role, helping parents to get things out for their children. From his experience, parents say it is a comfort having someone with a physical disability without speech, on hand to talk to if the stress of sorting things out get too much.

• Unique – Unique is a source of information and support to families and individuals affected by any rare chromosome disorder and to the professionals who work with them. Unique is a UK-based charity but welcomes members worldwide.

Funding

• Find a Voice – information and support for people needing communication aids.

• Sequal Trust – fundraises on behalf of its members to provide communication aids.

Role Model Links

• Beth Moulam

• Just Different – Toby Hewson's company that runs innovative, exciting and educational workshops, seminars, training programmes and presentations on disability and difference.

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