Creating Community Partners for Individuals Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Through Awareness

According to Beukelman and Mirenda (2013), approximately 4 million Americans are unable to use their natural speech to communicate their daily needs and would benefit from using an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device. AAC systems are strategies used to enhance a person's ability to communicate. The systems can be speech, gestures, paper communication boards, high-tech devices with voice output, or a combination of these. AAC is meant to increase participation for the user, however often it is found that AAC users infrequently converse with peers and primarily interact their support personnel (Chung, Carter, & Sisco, 2012). Under the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework for health-related domains, this categorizes persons who use AAC under severe limitations to participation and activity. It severely limits the person's ability to engage with their community, especially if their communication partner does not have the strategies to support their interaction. Further, the extent to which a person responds to initiations depends on the types of communication opportunities directed toward them (Wilkinson & Romski, 1995). Therefore, it is vital to increase in awareness of the strategies to be a good communication partner for PWUAAC in community members, and especially professionals who may interact with PWUAAC on a consistent basis. The graduate students in the Speech-Language Pathology master's program at Ohio State organized an event aimed at increasing awareness about AAC. The event was an open house with activities to simulate using AAC and practice being a communication partner for persons who use AAC, as well as increase awareness of the importance of AAC to the community. The strategies taught at the event were designed to be able to be implemented in the participant's life to increase their comfort and ability to interact with persons who use AAC. This event was designed to highlight the shared responsibility of the entire community to engage all members, no matter their communication strategies. A community is more resilient and inclusive when all of its members are able to contribute. This event aimed to increase community members and professionals’ knowledge of ways to build a more interwoven society that is inviting to all of its members.AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Bethany Frick, student, Ohio State, frick.70@osu.edu (Corresponding Author); Kacie Ross, student, Ohio State; Maleah Ferriman, student, Ohio State; Claire Goecke, student, Ohio StateGraduate students in the speech-language pathology masters program at Ohio State organized an event to increase awareness about AAC. The event was an open house with activities to simulate using AAC and practice being a communication partner for persons who use AAC, as well as increase awareness about the importance of AAC to the community. The strategies taught at the event were designed to be able to be implemented in participants’ lives to increase their comfort and ability to interact with persons who use AAC. This event was designed to highlight the shared responsibility of the entire community to engage all members, no matter their communication strategies. A community is more resilient and inclusive when all of its members are able to contribute. The event aimed to increase community members’ and professionals’ knowledge of ways to build a more interwoven society that is inviting to all of its members