Position Statements

Position Statement on iDevices & AAC

Whereas, AAC Institute is a not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to optimized communication performance for people who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC); and

Whereas, communication performance is generally a significant factor in determining the life experience of people who use AAC; and

Whereas, it is the obligation of licensed, credentialed, and certificated professionals involved in the AAC service delivery process to use the principles of evidence-based practice in making decisions and providing services that optimize communication performance; and

Whereas, off-the-shelf, portable iDevice products are being considered to meet the communication needs of individuals with severe communication disorders and other disabilities.

Therefore, be it resolved that the position of AAC Institute is that the communication performance and life experience of people who use AAC will be respected by commercial computer manufacturers’ and vendors’ selling practices and funding policies that:

1) do not result in placing higher value on and preference for technology hardware components and costs over the primary language components of an AAC solution;

2) respect the language and communication values held by people who use AAC, their families, caregivers and speech-language pathologists;

3) honor the professional opinion of qualified AAC service delivery personnel and defer decisions about recommending an AAC solution to those qualified and certified to do so;

4) avoid making suggestions or recommendations about the effectiveness of an iDevice based on ease of use at first encounter; and

5) inform anyone seeking information on an iDevice as an AAC solution to obtain a comprehensive evaluation before making a purchase decision.

 


Resolution on AAC Funding Policy

Whereas, AAC Institute is a not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to optimized communication performance for people who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC); and

Whereas, communication performance is generally a significant factor in determining the life experience of people who use AAC; and

Whereas, it is the obligation of licensed, credentialed, and certificated professionals involved in the AAC service delivery process to use the principles of evidence-based practice in making decisions and providing services that optimize communication performance; and

Whereas, funding agencies are participants in the AAC service delivery process.

Therefore, be it resolved that the position of AAC Institute is that the communication performance and life experience of people who use AAC will be optimized by funding agency and manufacturer selling policies that:

1) do not result in preferential and/or exclusive business relationships between funding agencies and assistive technology manufacturers or vendors;

2) respect the communication values held by people who use AAC;

3) provide for equal and open access to all assistive technology resources for people who use AAC;

4) honor the professional opinion of qualified AAC service delivery personnel; and

5) classify AAC assistive technology based on achievable communication performance.

 

Download the file to support your SGD funding report: Resolution on AAC funding policies