Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Details: Created: Sunday, 01 September 2013 16:08; Updated on Wednesday, 01 June 2016 19:41

The International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) works to improve the lives of children and adults who use AAC. ISAAC’s vision is that AAC will be recognized, valued and used throughout the world. ISAAC’s mission is to promote the best possible communication for people with complex communication needs.

The society defines AAC as, 'a set of tools and strategies that an individual uses to solve everyday communicative challenges. Communication can take many forms such as: speech, a shared glance, text, gestures, facial expressions, touch, sign language, symbols, pictures, speech generating devices, etc. Everyone uses multiple forms of communication, based upon the context and our communication partner. Effective communication occurs when the intent and meaning of one individual is understood by another person. The form is less important than the successful understanding of the message.'

October is ISAAC's AAC Awareness Month (Twitter hash tag #AACaware)

AAC Awareness Month, 2013.
AAC Awareness Month, 2014

ISAAC Chapters

The following 15 countries have ISAAC Chapters: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States. There is information about how to join on ISAAC's website.