The participation of people who rely on AAC in the pre-service preparation of communication, education, and medical professionals (2022-2023)

We are the AAC Consumer and Technology research team. We conduct research to contribute to improvements in AAC technology and service delivery.

In this project, we wanted to learn about the experiences of people who rely on AAC, and who are helping to prepare the next generation of communication, education, and medical professionals.

We recruited using social media, and asked participants to answer 4 short surveys, and participate in a Zoom interview.

Participants reported that they most often presented on the broad benefits of AAC, and their challenges in obtaining and learning about AAC.

Key messages included the need for a more expansive view of diversity and empowerment, and the need for full inclusion in school, the workplace, and the community.

Research Team Leader Dr. Tracy Rackensperger emphasized the importance of “nothing about us without us”, and the need for professionals to develop a new partnership mindset.

Research Team Leader Lance McLemore described the important role played by AAC users in pre-service preparation, and the need to challenge old ideas.

For college faculty who would like to invite AAC users to present in their class, the USSAAC Speaker Connection program provides a searchable database of AAC users who are available to speak to classes and at conferences.

The AAC Learning Center also has a large collection of webcasts by AAC users. The Learning Center materials are in use at over 100 colleges and universities.