What is AAC?

AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. an emoji yellow person tapping their blue talker. a blank speech bubble comes from it.

AAC is often used by people who can't speak out loud (verbally) in what are regarded as "words".

AAC comes in many forms.

It can be pointing to pictures in a book, or to letters on a board. Drawing of two people, a yellow person holding a letterboard, and a teal person pointing at letters on the board. They are depicted with circular heads, triangle bodies, and floating circular hands.

It can be typing. A drawing of a yellow person holding a keyboard. A red arrow points from their keyboard to a speech bubble above them.

It can be higher-tech, too, with specialized apps. A tablet in a blue case with a handle. on screen is a 5x7 AAC button grid with several different styles of buttons and three folders.

AAC is not less good or important than other forms of communication. a young person with a red shirt points at themself and gives a thumbs up in agreement with a green checkmark at the viewers top left.

Most people use some type of AAC, like nodding or making a thumbs-up, or using emoji. a figure shrugging. Their hands are facing up as they raise them and turn their head slightly to the side, as if saying “I don’t know.”

However, AAC used by Disabled people often isn't taken seriously enough. The personification of justice, Lady Justice, in a metallic, slightly greenish colour. She has a sword in one hand, and is holding up a pair of scales. She has a blindfold on, and curly hair tied behind her neck.

AAC is one kind of disability accessibility. a pink forearm crutch and a dark blue pair of headphones, with two pink hearts and a blue heart between them.

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