Online AAC Communities
Facebook Pages
Most of these are public pages which are easy to join. Some may require making a request for approval to join.Everyone Communicates — https://www.facebook.com/Everyone-Communicates-109533522424006/
PrAACtical AAC — https://www.facebook.com/PrAACticalAAC/
Jane Farrall Consulting — https://www.facebook.com/JaneFarrallConsulting/
AAC Chicks — https://www.facebook.com/aac.chicks
AAC through Motivate, Model and Move Out of the Way by Kate Ahern — https://www.facebook.com/groups/421704261346486/
AAC SLCN Literacy — https://www.facebook.com/groups/1545972475641354/
AAC Institute/iCan Talk Clinics — https://www.facebook.com/AAC-InstituteICAN-Talk-Clinics-163992643906/
AAC Language Lab — https://www.facebook.com/groups/AACLanguageLab/
Angelman, Literacy, and Education (including Alphabet Therapy) by Erin Sheldon. "This Facebook group is intended to help parents, educators, and other professionals maximize literacy learning opportunities for students with Angelman." (closed group, permission needed to join). https://www.facebook.com/groups/265187670266772/permalink/445236325595238/
Anne McDonald Centre (Australia) — https://www.facebook.com/AnneMcDonaldCentre/
Augmentative Communication Resources Help — https://www.facebook.com/groups/aacresources/
Autism and Communication Center at Cal Lutheran — https://www.facebook.com/autismandcommunication/
CandLE Limited (Communication and Learning Enterprises, Limited) — https://www.facebook.com/Communication-and-Learning-Enterprises-11428089247/
Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAAC) (South Africa) — https://www.facebook.com/centreforaac/
Communication Development Center — https://www.facebook.com/Communication-Development-Center-490560197643871/
Communication Disabilities Access Canada — https://www.facebook.com/Communication-Disabilities-Access-Canada-167031386664276/
Communication Matters (UK) — https://www.facebook.com/communicationmattersuk/
Dundee AAC Group — https://www.facebook.com/Dundee.AAC.Group/
HALO Helping Autism through Learning & Outreach — https://www.facebook.com/Halo.soma/
Institute on Communication and Inclusion — https://www.facebook.com/Institute-on-Communication-and-Inclusion-156911494335374/
International AAC Awareness Month — https://www.facebook.com/groups/209097765792504/
ISAAC Build AAC — https://www.facebook.com/ISAACBUILDAAC/
MAAC – Michigan AAC — https://www.facebook.com/groups/60661848333/
National Joint Committee (NJC) — https://www.facebook.com/National-Joint-Committee-138975559463929/
PrAACtically Speaking AAC — https://www.facebook.com/Praactically-Speaking-AAC-Australia-1488812111389361/
RERC on Augmentative and Alternative Communication — https://www.facebook.com/AACRERC/
Saved by Typing — https://www.facebook.com/indianasavedbytyping/
Uncommon Sense Blog — https://www.facebook.com/Uncommon-Sense-Blog-123130417730793/
USSAAC — https://www.facebook.com/Ussaac-157775654332386/
Other AAC Blogs and Websites
AAC Institute Not-for-profit organization dedicated to the most effective communication for people who rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Goals of AAC, Rules of Commitment, Achieving Success in AAC. Goal of AAC is "most effective communication possible for the individual" and interactive communication. SNUG = spontaneous novel utterance generation. Online courses, Resources, News. http://www.aacinstitute.org/
AAC Intervention by Caroline Musselwhite. Tip of the Month, Link to AAC Girls blog, extensive Links (AAC Resources, Companies, Computer Access, Downloads, Emergent Literacy, Family, Keyboarding, Learning Disabilities, Organizations, Pictures, Play, Scanning Worksheets, SPED Resources, Teacher Resources, Training Resources, Writing, Voice Recognition, On-Line News, Other, ListServes). http://aacintervention.com
ACE Centre website (UK) Information on communication aids (searchable database), software for easier access; current and completed research projects on eyegaze, computer access; Alphabet charts, Symbol charts, Case Studies, Publications & Information Sheets, Presentations, SpeechBubble, Software, Videos, Useful links. http://acecentre.org.uk/
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (Augcomm) at the University of Washington, Seattle. Site last revised 2004. Continuum of Communication Independence, Emerging Communication, Context-Dependent Communication, Independent Communication, Summary of the Communicative Independence Model; Selecting AAC Vocabulary; Understanding AAC Features; AT/AAC enABLES. Learn more about the people who use Assistive Technology (AT) and/or Augmentative Communication (AAC) through stories and images of success. You'll find video clips, images and stories about individuals participating in all aspects of life. http://depts.washington.edu/augcomm/
Anne McDonald Centre, Victoria, Australia. Information on AAC, Facilitated Communication Training, Severe Communication Impairment, Stories, Projects (Communication boards in Mandarin), Resources, Links, Books, DVDs. Embedded video: Breaking the Silence. http://www.annemcdonaldcentre.org.au/
Joanne Cafiero — "Unlocking Language Through Technology" "Assume communication potential! ... Opportunities to communicate should be continuous. ... Individuals with autism who can speak may not have access to their full internal vocabulary at all times, especially if stressed and upset. Therefore AAC should be available to support these difficult times. ... The communication partner is the single most important factor in a successful AAC intervention." http://www.joannecafiero.com/
CandLE — Communication and Learning Enterprises Limited, UK. Topics include: Making communication boards, Movement issues, Ladder, Brief Guide to FCT, Learning in Small Steps, Assessment and Pupil Progress, Links, Downloads, AAC Self-Assessment Tool Kit, Products and Software. http://www.contactcandle.co.uk/
Gail Van Tatenhove, Speech Language Pathologist. Variety of free visual support materials, Resources (including handouts, topical papers, vocabulary lists, favorite sites). http://www.vantatenhove.com/
Hattie B. Munroe Barkley Memorial Augmentative and Alternative Communication Centers, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Visual Scene Resources, Academic Resources, Aphasia Assessment, Demographics, References, AAC Messaging and Vocabulary. http://cehs.unl.edu/aac/
International Communication Project. "The International Communication Project (ICP) is an advocate for those with communication disabilities, as well as their families, caregivers and communication professionals. The ICP highlights the importance of human communication and how communication disabilities significantly impact every aspect of life. Established in 2014, the ICP is built on the premise that communication is vital to life; yet is largely ignored as a disability." Public Pledge of Support; Resources (related campaigns); Stories from around the world (submit a story); Opportunities to get involved (organize an event); Campaign News. http://www.internationalcommunicationproject.com/
Kilometres for Communication (Canada) "The cycling journey is over, but there is a long way to travel on our journey to ensure voice, accessibility and inclusion. We are continuing to fundraise for important AAC supports, technology and opportunities. And we are networking so that many organizations can work together to empower voices and lives." Includes many personal stories by people who use AAC. http://kilometresforcommunication.com/
Linda J. Burkhart — Simplified Technology for Communication, Living and Learning. Handouts, PODD (Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display) Information. http://lburkhart.com/
National Joint Committee (NJC) for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities "The purpose of the National Joint Committee for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities is to promote research, demonstration, and educational efforts, including both inservice and preservice, directed to helping persons with severe disabilities communicate effectively. Bill of Rights, Communication services and supports, frequently asked questions, Access to Communication Services and Supports: Concerns Regarding the Application of Restrictive "Eligibility" Policies, Position Statement (PDF format), Technical Report (PDF format). http://www.asha.org/njc/
NJC Network "a group of professionals with a common interest in enhancing communication effectiveness for individuals with severe disabilities. Joining the network doesn't involve cost or any specific obligation. You'll hear about NJC networking opportunities." NJC Network Application. https://unc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cMBR6MAB0edUp4F
North Carolina Augmentative Communication Association (NCACA). What is AAC? Letter to SLPs, Events (Annual conference, Regional meetings, Summer workshop), Resources. http://ncaca.info/
PrAACtical AAC by Carole Zangari and the late Robin Parker. Searchable blog on augmentative and alternative communication, literacy, and related topics. Great source of information, links, videos, handouts, downloadable resources, and more. http://praacticalaac.org/
RERC on Communication Enhancement — Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center. Resources, Publication and Presentation lists (some handout links), Webcasts (Research to Practice, Consumer Perspectives, Professional Development). https://rerc-aac.psu.edu/
Resources—ConnSENSE Report. "The ConnSENSE Report is dedicated to bringing you practical resources on assistive technology that will assist professionals, individuals with disabilities and their families in learning about and accessing the assistive technology they need." List of resources for information on AAC, Assistive Technology, professional organizations, training and certification, funding. http://connsensereport.com/resources/
Trace Center — Assistive Technology Resources http://trace.umd.edu/
USSAAC (United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication). Information on Membership, Webinars, AAC devices, Emergency Preparedness, Policy Laws, AAC in the News, SpeakUp (newsletter). http://www.ussaac.org/
World-Wide Augmentative and Alternative Communication Project (WWAAC). The website for a pan-european initiative to make the electronic highway more accessible for a wide range of persons with language and/or cognitive impairments. http://www.wwaac.eu/
Email Lists, Forums and Newsgroups
ACOLUG — Augmentative Communication Online User's Group (ACOLUG) is an Internet Listserv that allows users of augmentative communication and their families to communicate with each other and with professionals and students who are interested in augmentative communication. ACOLUG enables people who are separated by great geographic distances to "meet" and communicate with each other in a way that is convenient, comfortable and free! http://aac-rerc.psu.edu/index.php/projects/show/id/18
Promoting Augmentative Communication Together (PACT) is a community listserv for anyone interested in the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). This listserv extends to people who use or need AAC, their families, and the various professionals who provide AAC services. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pact/
FC World: "a safe place to discuss and share information about Facilitated Communication worldwide." http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FCworld/
AAC Small Talk listserv. "AACsmalltalk is a safe and fun listserv (on Yahoo Groups) for kids who use AAC and their friends. A listserv is a group of kids who have something in common. When you send an email to the listserv, your message goes to all of us but you just write the letter once. You only need a computer and an email address. We're going to "small talk" about fun stuff and some important stuff, too. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aacsmalltalk/
