AAC stands for “augmentative and alternative communication.” AAC is any form of communication that people use when oral speech is not reliable to get their point across. Oral speech means speaking with your mouth.

There are many different kinds of AAC. Some forms of AAC are:

• Using a dedicated speech generating device
• Using a computer or tablet with an app that speaks text out loud
• Pointing to pictures, letters, or words in a communication book or letterboard
• Writing on paper or typing on a computer, as long as these things are replacing or supplementing oral speech
• Signs and gestures. (Note: some people who use AAC use a sign language as their primary form of communication. It is important to remember that sign languages are full, distinct languages with their own syntax and grammar. Many Deaf people have criticized the idea that sign languages are a form of AAC. But knowing and fluently using a sign language is different than using single signs and gestures as AAC.)
• Body language, facial expressions, and non-word sounds, like laughing or sighing.

This website will call people who use AAC “AAC users.” (There is debate about how best to refer to people who use AAC/AAC users, but one survey showed that we liked “AAC user” or “person who uses AAC” best.) We define “AAC user” as anyone who uses some form of AAC at least some of the time because oral speech is not reliable to get their point across. This includes people who use AAC all of the time. It includes people who use AAC some of the time.

Gay-A-C supports all AAC users. We support AAC users who use high-tech methods, like speech generating devices and computer or tablet apps. We support AAC users who use light-tech/low-tech methods like communication books or letterboards. We support AAC users who communicate through behavior, gestures, and facial expressions. We support all AAC users.