Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) can be used when an individual has difficulty with spoken communication. More information on AAC can be found on the Communication Matters website, and in their free leaflets on AAC
MS Society provides resources such as an equipment loan closet and can be reached by phone at (314) 781-9020 St. Louis area or (913) 432-3926. United Spinal Association - Spinal Cord Resource Center NSCIA offers educational assistance for individuals that have spinal injuries. PrAACtical AAC supports a community of professionals and families who are determined to improve the communication and literacy abilities of people with significant communication difficulties. It was founded in 2011 by two SLP professors, Carole Zangari and the late Robin Parker, around a shared passion for AAC. Create non-electronic AAC resources. Communication Apps, also known as “Apps for AAC”, refers to the range of AAC applications available to download to iOS devices (iPad/iPhone/iPod) or Android devices. They vary in price and can suit a range of communication needs from single messages through to communicating in longer sentences. Online Store Liberator provides AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) products, training and support for communication, inclusion and independence. From no-tech to high-tech communication aids (VOCA) we have products to suit all budgets and all needs.
AAC covers a range of strategies. Some AAC involves no technology, or paper and some AAC involves technology which can range from ‘low’ and ‘light’ technology to ‘high tech’ voice output communication aids.
In this video Russ and Diane explain their communication strategies.
Sharepoint sync app macnewpb android. In this video Ellen explains her use of a voice output communication aid, which she controls through a headswitch.
AAC and the Barnsley AT Team
Our team provides a specialised service for AAC across the Yorkshire and Humber region to people of any age: supporting local teams in working with individuals to understand their AAC needs; and in providing specialised communication aids. The NHS England service specification defines what our service should do and how it should interact with local services.
Referral Criteria
The AAC service specification states that an individual who would access a specialised AAC service would have both of the following:
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- a severe/complex communication difficulty associated with a range of physical, cognitive, learning, or sensory deficits;
- a clear discrepancy between their level of understanding and ability to speak.
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Magsafe dc jack. In addition, an individual must:
- be able to understand the purpose of a communication aid;
- have developed beyond cause and effect understanding; and may:
- have experience of using low tech AAC which is insufficient to enable them to realise their communicative potential.
The specification also applies the following exclusion criteria to all referrals:
- pre-verbal communication skills;
- not having achieved cause and effect understanding;
- have impaired cognitive abilities that would prevent the user from retaining information on how to use equipment.
Provision Criteria
Specialised AAC services have a remit to provide and maintain ‘specialised communication aids’ (NHS England Prescribed Services Manual). Further guidance on what equipment is provided has been developed and approved by our NHS England commissioning office (see Key Documents section below).
- AAC Commissioning Guidance – published by NHS England, particularly aimed at CCG AAC service commissioning.
- Local AAC Service Specification – produced by the AT Team to guide local service development.
- Local Service AAC Resource Pack – a resource to support local service provision of AAC.
- Specialised AAC Service Specification – the NHS England specification of what should be provided by specialised AAC services.
- AAC Referral Criteria Guidance developed by NHS England Clinical Reference Group, AAC subgroup:
- Provision criteria – guidance on provision of ‘specialised AAC aids’, approved by Barnsley AT team NHS England commissioning office.
- Prescribed Services Manual (NHS England website)
Resources are routinely updated . . . please check back often.
Note: resource links open in a new window:
- AAC Institute
A not-for-profit online resource for the AAC community, this site includes pages dedicated to resources, products, services, a parents corner, self study, and continuing education for professionals, among other links.
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- AAC Tech Connect
AAC apps are software applications for mobile devices that assist individuals with complex communication needs including persons with limited speech or speech that is not usually understood by others. This site provides free and fee-for-service tools for searching 'quality' AAC apps (based on a defined criteria) and dedicated AAC devices. The AAC Apps Assistant may be sampled for free for 24 hours or 30 days if you are willing to provide feedback. - AAC Funding Help
A Web site for help funding AAC technology created by the Assistive Technology Law Center at Duke University - American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA):AAC page
This AAC page on the ASHA Web site explains what AAC is, types of AAC systems, and where to go for more information. - Apps for AAC
AAC apps are software applications for mobile devices that can help individuals who are non speaking or those whose speech is not usually understood by others. This is a comprehensive Web site of iPad/iPhone/iPod AAC apps, offering filtered search and comparison tools. It is maintained by Will Wade, an OT at the ACE Centre, Oxford. Wade also reviews apps in his blog posts. Also includes an Apps for Android page. - ASHA's Apps Resources Web page
This resource includes links for finding apps for AAC as well as additional information about their use. This resource does not list or suggest specific apps for use in therapy settings.
Aac Resources
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication Centers
This AAC website is designed to provide access to a wide range of information and resources related to AAC and includes vendor links, academic resources, intervention links, early intervention resources, and general AAC links. It is maintained by the Barkley AAC Center and the Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation at the University of Nebraska. - Augmentative Communication On-Line User’s Group (ACOLUG)
An international internet listserv. Its primary purpose is to provide a forum for people who use AAC to communicate with each other. Other members include college students studying AAC, manufacturers, researchers, practitioners, allies and university students. - iPad/iPod/iPhone Apps for AAC
This is a continuously updated comparison chart of AAC apps courtesy of the Spectronics Web site (long-time AT vendor of Australia and New Zealand). It is maintained by Jane Farrall who has decades of experience as a special educator working with AAC.
- Making Communication Happen
A booklet developed by the Vermont Communication Task Force that provides three annotated tools to help a person and his or her team to plan and provide communication supports. - Mobile Devices and Communication Apps: An AAC-RERC White Paper
The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Communication Enhancement (AAC-RERC) offers this paper as a means for raising issues related to mobile technologies and AAC Apps and to encourage discussion and collaboration among AAC stakeholders. - Practical AAC Info
A Web site developed by 2 speech-language pathologists that provides AAC support to clinicians and educators. The list of free or lite Apps is by Carol Zangari.
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- Say It With Symbols
Created by a Massachusetts mom of a child with complex communication needs, this site sells low tech communication aids, visual supports, cards and gifts featuring picture symbols that support children and adults with communication disorders and autism. It also has a Free Stuff page of links to free symbols, PECs, boards, stories and more.