About AAC

AAC= Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Any non-speech means of communication that are used either instead of or in conjunction with speech to facilitate communication
Includes:
- Low Tech e.g. printed picture symbol boards, manual sign language
- Medium Tech, e.g. buttons with recorded voice output
- High Tech, e.g. Speech-generating devices, iPad with communication apps
The best way to learn more about AAC is from AAC-users themselves: Visit CommunicationFirst

ALL COMMUNICATION IS VALID and IMPORTANT!
Just because someone doesn't have consistent access to using speech, does NOT mean they have nothing to say.
True community is ACCESSIBLE: providing access to AAC at community events such as picture communication boards normalizes AAC use in the community and provides a tools for communication in a high-stimulation situation when spoken words may be harder for some to access. It is one, important, concrete step towards making your event or organization more accessible

Together We Bloom offers a variety of support to make AAC more widely available in the community and for individuals.
We offer:
- Technical assistance and consultations to create a individualized communication board for use at your event, school, or organization .
- Event AAC boards as part of our Sensory Accessibility Kits that may be borrowed for events (part of our Collective Access Initiative)
- AAC lending library (part of our Collective Access Initiative) with high tech, medium tech, and low tech AAC tools to borrow