About Assistive Communication
Learn more about assistive communication, including the latest research about high-tech AAC for people with disabilities and their care network.
Introduction
Roughly 50 million people worldwide have conditions leaving them unable to communicate. As a result, they struggle to participate in society, get educated, work, and live up to their full potential. Assistive communication addresses this challenge by acknowledging that communication is both a necessity and a basic human right. This site aims to provide the latest research about assistive communication, in addition to downloadable resources for clinicians, policy makers, industry professionals, high-tech AAC users and their network, or anyone interested in deepening their knowledge about this life-changing technology.
What is Assistive Communication?
Assistive communication, also referred to as AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), is any form of communication used in addition to or instead of speech for people with a wide variety of disabilities, such as ALS/MND, cerebral palsy and non-speaking autism. It can consist of no technology, light-tech resources, or high-tech solutions. The two terms – assistive communication and AAC, can be used interchangeably.
What is High-Tech AAC?
High-tech AAC solutions are purpose-built devices consisting of hardware, such as speech generating devices, and communication software and language systems. They can be controlled with just a person’s fingers, eyes, or other body parts to communicate. They can be supported with symbols and text, or just text alone. This enables a person to use symbol-to-speech or text-to-speech software to generate a synthetic voice at the touch or eye-controlled click of a button.
How Does Assistive Communication Help People With Disabilities?
High-tech AAC solutions can empower people with communication disabilities to express thoughts, feelings, needs and wants even if they cannot speak. Assistive communication also enables people to control their surroundings with just their eyes or other body parts, such as turning on lights or the TV, adjusting a bed angle or opening and closing doors. In some cases, it can also allow them to browse the web or use a mobile phone.
Find research about assistive communication
