AAC Awareness Month: Making Communication Accessible in Every Community
October is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the many ways people communicate and raise awareness about tools that help individuals express themselves, connect with others, and participate more fully in everyday life.
At The Speech Pathology Group & Rehab Services of CT (SPGCT), we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to communicate. Whether someone communicates using spoken words, gestures, pictures, a communication device, or a combination of methods, communication is an essential part of building relationships, expressing needs, sharing ideas, and being part of a community.
This October, we’re celebrating AAC and highlighting the importance of making communication accessible wherever life happens.
What Is AAC?
Augmentative and Alternative Communication, or AAC, includes tools and strategies that support communication for people who have difficulty using spoken language.
AAC can look different for every individual. It may include:
Picture communication boards: Boards featuring pictures, symbols, or words that people can point to communicate.
Communication devices: Electronic devices or apps that speak aloud when a person selects words or symbols.
Low-tech communication supports: Printed communication cards, visual supports, and other tools that help people share messages.
Gestures and signs: Additional ways to express thoughts, needs, feelings, and ideas.
AAC is not limited to one age group or diagnosis. Children and adults with a variety of communication needs may benefit from AAC. It can be used temporarily or throughout a person's life, and it can complement spoken language rather than replace it.
There is no single right way to communicate. The goal is to give every person meaningful opportunities to express themselves.
Why AAC Awareness Month Matters for Our Communities
Imagine visiting a playground and wanting to tell someone, “I want to swing.” Picture being at a library and wanting to ask for a favorite book. Or visiting the dentist and needing a way to communicate that you are nervous, uncomfortable, or have a question.
For individuals who do not rely on speech to communicate, everyday situations like these can present additional challenges when communication supports are unavailable.
Community communication boards help bridge that gap.
These boards feature pictures and symbols that individuals can point to when communicating with others. They can support interactions with family members, friends, teachers, healthcare professionals, and people throughout the community.
When communication boards are available in public spaces, they also help build awareness and encourage more people to recognize that communication happens in many different ways.
Most importantly, communication access helps everyone participate. A playground communication board can help a child join in play. A board in a library can support a conversation about books. A communication handout in a dental office can help families and providers better understand how to support a patient's communication needs.
Small changes in our environments can create more inclusive experiences for everyone.
How SPGCT Is Helping Make Communication More Accessible
At SPGCT, our commitment to communication extends beyond our therapy sessions. We believe communities can play an important role in supporting individuals who communicate in different ways.
Over the years, our team has collaborated with community organizations and local partners to help bring communication supports into everyday environments, including playgrounds, libraries, and dental offices.
Our community outreach efforts have included helping develop customized communication boards, sharing communication resources and educational handouts, and working with community partners to identify practical ways to make communication more accessible.
Every location has unique needs. A playground board may include vocabulary related to playing, moving, and interacting with others. A library may benefit from symbols related to books, reading, and asking for help. A dental office may use communication supports that help patients express their needs, answer questions, or communicate discomfort.
Whenever possible, we work collaboratively with the people who know these environments best to help create resources that are useful, accessible, and appropriate for the individuals who will use them.
These projects reflect an important part of our mission: helping individuals communicate not only in therapy, but also in the places where they learn, play, receive care, and connect with others.
You Don't Have to Be an AAC Expert to Support Communication
One of the most meaningful ways to support AAC users is to create welcoming environments where all forms of communication are valued.
Here are a few ways you can help:
Recognize all forms of communication. A person may communicate by pointing, gesturing, using pictures, typing, or using a speech-generating device. Each method deserves respect.
Give people time to respond. Allow individuals the time they need to communicate without rushing them or speaking for them.
Model communication. When a communication board or device is available, point to pictures or words as you speak. This can help demonstrate how the tools can be used.
Make communication tools accessible. Keep communication boards visible and within reach, and make sure communication resources are available in the spaces where people need them.
Include everyone. Speak directly to the person you are communicating with, even when they use a communication device or have someone assisting them.
You don't need to know every symbol or have specialized training to make a difference. Being patient, inclusive, and willing to communicate in different ways is a great place to start.
Let's Build More Communicative Communities Together
AAC Awareness Month is a reminder that communication access should not end when a therapy session is over. It should extend into our playgrounds, schools, libraries, healthcare settings, and other community spaces.
At SPGCT, we are proud to work alongside community partners to help increase awareness, share resources, and expand access to communication supports. We look forward to continuing these efforts and finding new opportunities to help make our communities more inclusive.
Does your school, library, playground, dental office, or community organization want to explore adding a communication board or sharing AAC resources? We would love to hear from you!
Contact The Speech Pathology Group & Rehab Services of CT to learn more about our community outreach efforts and how we may be able to collaborate.
Together, we can help create communities where every voice matters and everyone has a way to be heard.
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