Yvonne, a colleague here at United Cerebal Palsy of Greater Houston, has a mantra, “Always have a backup plan.” This rings true as an AAC user and as someone just trying to make her way in today’s difficult society. Having an AAC device can be a great asset to any user. However, what happens when [...]
As an AmeriCorps AT ASSET and a DynaVox Consumer Representative, I have had the pleasure of mentoring several future ACC users. Due to my years of experience as an AAC user, I must say that I could not have chosen a better career path.
Working at United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Houston has truly opened up a [...]
Everyone hits a roadblock or two in their life. AAC users are no different. But the manner in which we are able to deal with them can be much more challenging than for the average person. The old saying is true – “Necessity is the mother of invention.”
It can be a simple roadblock, such as [...]
Every AAC user has his or her own way of communication. It is up to each of us, as AAC users, to find, maintain, and explore easier ways to communicate using our device. This cannot be achieved alone. A person can achieve this necessary goal from a support system of family, co-workers, and friends. The [...]
They say that necessity is the mother of invention. If this holds true, then ACC is in its infancy. As people with speech, as well as other, impediments continue to use devices, such as AAC, they will continually design and engineer better devices to fully integrate individuals with disabilities into mainstream society. This is evident [...]
Most often, people with AAC have a traumatic event in which results in him or her using an AAC device temporarily or permanently. It is difficult for the new AAC user and for his or her entire social network, which includes: family, friends, co-workers, and physicians. The following are just a few strategies for adapting [...]
In today’s economic times, it is difficult to find stable full-time employment. There are just more unemployed people than open positions. This makes the quest for full-time employment an increasingly daunting task. This is especially true for AAC users. I am speaking from personal experience.
After graduating with my Bachelor’s in Social Work, I embarked on [...]
How do we measure success? There are several attributes by which society measures success – level of income, where one lives, or whether or not one is married with children. For AAC users, success is measured in a totally different manner. For example, a new user’s success may be as simple as putting together a [...]
For me, augmentative and alternative communication has been a lifesaver. There is no way that I could have gotten where I am today without this technology. I managed 22 years without AAC intervention. At times, I wonder how different my life would be if I had access to AAC all that time. Then, I think [...]
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