According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) covers all the ways that someone communicates besides talking. People of all ages and abilities can use AAC if they have trouble with speech or language skills. Some people may use AAC only for a short time, such as those recovering from injury to their vocal cords, while others may use AAC throughout their lives. There are different types of AAC. Different types may include gestures and facial expressions, writing, spelling words by pointing to letters, pointing at photos, using an app on a tablet to communicate, or using a speech-generating device, among others.

People with communication disabilities have the same rights as people without disabilities to live, work, play, and communicate in their communities of choice. They may require different levels or types of AAC to participate in their community, work or learn in an integrated setting, or take advantage of the same opportunities as their peers without disabilities. NARIC’s information specialists are often asked for information and resources related to AAC.

Below, you will find just a few examples of evidence-based resources produced by the NIDILRR grantee community:

• The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (The RERC on AAC) conducts rigorous evidence-based research for designing effective AAC technologies and interventions, and develops and evaluates innovative AAC engineering solutions driven by the needs of consumers. The RERC provides comprehensive training and dissemination to ensure that all people, including children and adults with developmental, acquired, and severe disabilities have access to effective AAC to enhance the communication of people with complex communication needs. This Center offers a large collection of webcasts in the AAC Learning Center that include presentations on research and clinical applications, as well as consumer perspectives.
  
  
• NARIC’s Research In Focus series features reader-friendly summaries of the latest research from the NIDILRR community. Each article presents an overview of a recently published NIDILRR-funded study, highlights important findings, and discusses implications or directions for future research. Below are just a few examples of articles on AAC in this series:
  
  
  • Animation May Help Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Learn to Use Symbol-Based Communication Devices.
    
    
  • “Even People Who Cannot Speak Should be Able to Make Their Voices Heard”: Soliciting User Feedback from People with Severe Speech and Physical Impairments.
    
    
  • For People with ALS, Social Media Can Be a Key Communication Tool to Maintain Relationships and Expand Networks.
    
    
• Are you a person with aphasia? NARIC’s Questions from the Community includes an article on the help available, including AAC, for people with aphasia.
  
  
• NARIC’s Spotlight blog also offers information on topics related to AAC in English and Spanish.

To learn more about the research study and these and other products from the NIDILRR community, contact NARIC’s information specialists.