The NEC Foundation of America Funds enABLES

The Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences, in collaboration with DO-IT, has received a gift from NEC Foundation of America to develop an innovative advocacy and educational resource for individuals with severe communication disabilities. The project will develop a website to promote acceptance of individuals with speech, language or writing impairments who rely on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) technology. The website, at https://sphsc.washington.edu/augmentative-alternative-communication, will use accessible video vignettes, images and text to portray individual accounts of children and adults who are successful with AAC in all types of activities and lifestyles. These stories will help dispel myths about severe communication impairments that create and exacerbate barriers for AAC users of all ages.

The website, and the accompanying advocacy and educational materials, will educate and inspire AAC users, their families, caregivers and advocates as well as service providers and the general public about what is possible with AAC.