A collection of resources focused on augmented/alternative communication communication.
AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Institute
We are a not-for-profit, charitable organization dedicated to the most effective communication for people who rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
The two most important values expressed by people who rely on AAC are:
- saying exactly what they want to say, and
- saying it as fast as they can.
AAC services must honor these values of people who use AAC and their families. Achieving the goal of AAC (optimal communication & maximum potential) is best accomplished when the principles of evidence-based practice and performance measurement are used.
AAC Institute Self-Study Program
AAC Institute Self-Study Program (SSP) offers the opportunity to learn about various aspects of AAC that support the goal of the most effective communication possible for the individual. The courses allow individuals to work at their own pace. No fee is charged. There are no prerequisites. All AAC stakeholder groups can find value. All that is required is Internet access.
SSP courses are divided into modules. In general, each module is the prerequisite for the next module. Most modules are followed by a quiz. Each quiz must be passed (80% correct answers) before the following module can be accessed.
Augmentative Communication Inc. (ACI)
Augmentative Communication Inc. (ACI) publishes resources that help keep busy professionals and individuals with complex communication needs up-to-date on important developments in Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
Barkley AAC Center
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies assist people with severe communication disabilities to participate more fully in their social roles including interpersonal interaction, learning, education, community activities, employment, volunteerism, care management, and so on. This AAC website is designed to provide access to a wide range of information and resources related to the AAC effort. It is maintained by the Barkley AAC Center and the Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation at the University of Nebraska.
Speechville Express
The Speechville Express web site is dedicated to those who struggle with communicating, as well as the parents and professionals that care for them. If your child has difficulty with speech, language, communication, or is a late talker, we hope you will find the website helpful. Our aim is to provide you with knowledge about available resources to help your child, or a child you care about who has a communication impairment or disorder.
Communication impairments are estimated to affect as many as one out every six people, and language disorders are often early predictors of learning disabilities. This is the first web site to comprehensively address language disorders, providing information for families so that they may minimize the effects on their children.
Cherab Foundation
The Cherab Foundation is a world-wide nonprofit organization working to improve the communication skills and education of all children with speech and language delays and disorders. Our area of emphasis is verbal and oral apraxia, severe neurologically-based speech and language disorders that hinder children’s ability to speak.
The Cherab Foundation is committed to assisting with the development of new therapeutic approaches, preventions and cures to neurologically-based speech disorders. We bring together parents and medical, research, and educational professionals.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Connecting Young Kids (YAACK)
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Connecting Young Kids (YAACK) is a website that covers issues related to AAC and young children. Its purpose is to provide information and guidance to families, teachers, speech/language pathologists and anyone else who is involved with a child with special communication needs. It is intended to be easy to understand and practical, and to cover a wide range of topics dealing with AAC and AAC-related issues of children at various ages and stages of communication ability, and with different strengths, disabilities and learning characteristics.
Early Intervention and Young Children AAC Project
This website provides guidelines for early intervention to maximize the language and communication development of young children with special needs including:
- Infants
- Toddlers
- Preschoolers
The website provides guidelines for early intervention specifically designed for children with complex communication needs, including children with:
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Cerebral palsy
- Down syndrome
- Multiple disabilities
AAC-RERC
AAC-RERC is a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center that functions as a collaborative research group dedicated to the development of effective AAC technology. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) refers to ways (other than speech) that are used to send a message from one person to another.
ConnSENSE Bulletin
ConnSENSE Bulletin is dedicated to becoming your essential resource for the latest assistive technology news and information.
- Advance your assistive technology knowledge & training.
- Enhance your curriculum and support your students & clients.
- Learn about, compare and find AT products.
- See AT product reviews.
- Find AT support services.
- Hear from the experts & see devices being used.
- Find local, national & international resources.
ConnSENSE is an acronym for Connecticut Special Education Network for Software Evaluation and was originally established in 1984 as a printed newsletter dedicated to reviewing and evaluating software for students with disabilities. The Bulletin was established as a dedicated website in 1999. Through the years the ConnSENSE website expanded its focus to include all types of assistive technology and has become an essential resource for professionals, individuals and families. It is currently accessed by over 23,000 individuals internationally.
United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC)
United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC) is dedicated to providing information and support on the issues, technology, tools and advancements within the world of AAC.
Accessible Technology Coalition AAC/ Speech Language Impaired Article Collection
Over three pages of links with everything from what to expect during and AAC evaluation to App reviews.
