By Tracy Rackensperger, Ph.D., Yoo Sun Chung, Ph.D., Jamie Gibbs, M.Ed., and Dana Lopez, SLP
Yoo Sun Chung, Jamie Gibbs, Dana Lopez, and Tracy Rackensperger presented during the Breaking Barriers: Fostering Communication Access and Awareness (Insights from ISAAC Cancun) session at the Vibes of AAC Virtual event in October. The session was designed with three key purposes in mind, all aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of communication access training. Participants explored the challenges that individuals who utilize AAC systems face, especially in regions where awareness and support for these tools are limited. Panelists discussed their real-world experiences and innovative initiatives, enabling attendees to acquire practical, actionable strategies for promoting communication access and raising awareness around AAC users. These strategies empowered participants to become advocates for people who use AAC in their own communities or countries. The session also focused on developing the skills necessary to implement inclusive communication practices in a variety of settings.
AAC is still emerging in many countries, such as Mexico. Limited resources and training perpetuate myths and create barriers, leaving many without the tools they need to communicate effectively. These challenges are exacerbated by high-tech AAC equipment often being unaffordable due to lack of government support or insurance coverage. Consequently, AAC users’ difficulties participating fully in society highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and education. Raising awareness and educating communities about AAC is essential for promoting inclusion. The session highlighted the North American Alliance for Communication Access (NAACA) team’s efforts to equip local communities with the knowledge to interact effectively with AAC users by fostering empathy and understanding. NAACA comprises ISAAC members from the United States, Mexico, and Canada. NAACA provided communication access training for the 2023 ISAAC Conference in Cancun, Mexico.
The NAACA team collaborated across borders to create impactful communication access training sessions in Cancun. They developed materials in English, translated them into Spanish, and incorporated a culturally sensitive approach. The training content included PowerPoint slides and a Communication Access video created by AAC users, ensuring accessibility and relevance for the Mexican audience.
The inclusion of AAC users in both the development and delivery of the training embodied the principle of “Nothing about us, without us.” This approach ensured that the training reflected real-world experiences, empowering AAC users to lead discussions that directly influenced their lives.
Before conducting training sessions in Cancun, the NAACA team selected people using AAC (we called them “ambassadors”) to assist us with our training in Cancun. The ambassadors participated in two comprehensive pre-training sessions using Zoom. Three out of four of the authors gave the training (Jamie Gibbs was an ambassador and received our training). These sessions, facilitated with live English-to-Spanish translations, focused on equipping ambassadors with the tools and strategies needed to engage effectively with the community and deliver formal presentations. The preparation involved providing PowerPoint slides, detailed scripts for AAC devices, and interactive discussions. This groundwork was vital for building confidence and ensuring seamless communication during the training sessions.
The training sessions given by the NAACA team and our ambassadors in Cancun were conducted through two main approaches: brief community visits and structured formal presentations. Community visits consisted of quick, informative interactions at establishments such as pharmacies, restaurants, and supermarkets. During these ten to fifteen minute visits, ambassadors shared tips on appropriately interacting with AAC users and distributed brochures, videos, and stickers indicating AAC-friendly spaces. These visits emphasized practical steps for enhancing accessibility, such as speaking directly to the AAC user, maintaining a normal tone and rhythm, and exercising patience. The concise format allowed the team to engage with a wide range of businesses effectively.
More comprehensive one-hour sessions were conducted for professionals such as police officers and convention staff. These sessions delved into the principles of AAC, strategies for inclusive communication, and dispelling common misconceptions. The content was tailored to ensure relevance to each group’s responsibilities and to foster a deeper understanding of AAC’s significance.
Over two days, we reached an estimated 650–700 participants through engagements with 30 establishments and organizations. Four ambassadors and four therapists collaborated to deliver meaningful interactions and training sessions that left a lasting impression on participants. Feedback collected from participants revealed high levels of satisfaction, with many expressing a newfound willingness to share their knowledge and implement inclusive practices. Testimonials highlighted the inspiring and practical nature of the training, with some attendees even requesting additional resources to promote accessibility in their businesses further.
Reflecting on the experience, team members emphasized the success of their efforts while offering recommendations for future improvements:
• Pre-Trainings: Shorter, more focused sessions with in-person opportunities could enhance engagement. Providing language-specific materials and recordings of prior sessions would further support preparation.
• Formal Trainings: Incorporating interactive activities and real-life video examples could enrich the learning experience. Scheduling more training dates would also allow for better pacing.
• Community Visits: Introducing varied visit dates, offering different recording formats, and showcasing video examples of AAC interactions could maximize the effectiveness of these visits.
The NAACA team’s efforts at the 2023 ISAAC Conference represent a pivotal step toward fostering communication access in Mexico with an initiative that has laid a strong foundation for greater inclusion and awareness by combining innovative training methods, cross-cultural collaboration, and the active involvement of AAC users. Participant feedback demonstrated the mission resonated deeply and inspired attendees to advocate for community communication access. The reflections and recommendations from this groundbreaking endeavor will undoubtedly shape future initiatives that ensure continued progress toward a world where everyone’s voice is heard and valued.
About the Authors
Tracy Rackensperger, Ph.D. currently holds the faculty position of Public Service Assistant within the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, Institute on Human Development and Disability at the University of Georgia. She currently leads the Institute’s AAC activities and oversees projects related to the employment of people with disabilities. Dr. Rackensperger has published scholarly works regarding augmentative communication. She has personally used AAC for over 40 years. She is the USSAAC President and a Project Co-Leader for Training and Dissemination with the RERC on AAC.
Yoosun Chung, Ph.D is an associate professor in the Division of Special Education and disAbility Research within the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University. Chung earned both her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (CS) and her doctoral degree with a specialization in Assistive Technology (AT) from the same institution. She holds a master’s degree in CS from Cornell University. Her research interests include individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), individuals with disAbilities and the application of AT. Chung has been serving as the co-chair of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Committee of the USSAAC. She is a distinguished educator, having been the recipient of both the 2020 Online Teaching Excellence Award and the 2012 Teaching Excellence Award – Teaching with Technology from the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning at George Mason University. She was also recognized with the Edwin and Esther Prentke AAC Distinguished Lecture Award from American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) in 2017 and WORDS+/ISAAC Outstanding Consumer Lecture Award from the International Society for AAC (ISAAC) in 2006.
Jamie Gibbs, M.Ed was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 18 months of age; her cerebral palsy affects her muscles and speech. She speaks verbally to her family and friends, however she uses mostly AAC with unfamiliar communication partners until they become familiar. Jamie graduated from George Mason University with her Master’s in Assistive Technology this past July, and is currently helping others with disabilities find the right assistive technology to lead successful and independent lives.
Dana López Canedo, SLP is a highly experienced speech-language pathologist with over 15 years of expertise in supporting individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). She provides private speech and AAC therapy at Centro Terapéutico DIA (Desarrollo Integral y Acompañamiento a Familias) and serves as an AAC therapist at CATIC (Centro de Apoyo Tecnológico para la Comunicación y el Aprendizaje). In addition, she works as an external AAC advisor and specializes in curricular adaptations at Comunidad IDEA. Dedicated to expanding AAC access and education, Dana offers training and consultations for schools and centers that support individuals with disabilities, as well as courses and workshops for professionals in the field.