Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month is designed to highlight the importance of AAC and provide a supportive environment for people with disabilities to continue to engage in meaningful communication activities.
What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication?
AAC encompasses various methods used to help individuals with communication difficulties express themselves. These methods range from simple tools like picture boards to advanced technology such as speech-generating devices. AAC is crucial for individuals who have conditions that impair their ability to speak, including cerebral palsy, autism, and other developmental or acquired disabilities.
How does Hollybank support Augmentative and Alternative Communication all year round?
Hollybank Trust supports people who can find navigating communication challenging and hosts different events such their Communication Café, Sing and Sign Session and Sensory Stories session to get to know the ways in which individuals prefer to communicate.
The Communication Café is a vibrant space where everyone is encouraged to communicate in their own way. The café is equipped with various AAC tools and resources, ensuring that all participants and staff can engage comfortably and effectively. The Communication Café also allows staff the opportunity to become familiar with the ways in which the people they support communicate their wants and needs.
Both group and one-to-one Sensory Story sessions let people feel immersed in a story, visualising characters and settings and sparking creativity, laughter and a sense of fun and play.
Sing and Sign sessions that incorporate AAC tools allow participants to enjoy music in an inclusive environment. These sessions highlight the universal language of music and its power to connect people.
Why Augmentative and Alternative Communication Matters
By providing a space where everyone can communicate freely, the month helps break down barriers and fosters a more inclusive society. It also highlights the importance of accessibility in all aspects of life, from social interactions to education and employment. It’s a time to celebrate the diverse ways people communicate and to advocate for greater accessibility and inclusion.