Organization
United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication(USSAAC)
USSAAC is the US chapter of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC), bringing together AAC users, families, speech-language pathologists, researchers, and AT specialists to promote communication access for people who rely on AAC.
About USSAAC
The United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication is the national chapter of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC), a global organisation founded in 1983. USSAAC serves as a hub connecting the diverse community of people involved in AAC in the US — from people who use AAC daily to the SLPs, AT specialists, researchers, and family members who support them.
What they do
USSAAC promotes communication access and the rights of people who use AAC through conferences, publications, advocacy, and professional development.
Biennial ISAAC Conference: USSAAC co-participates in ISAAC's biennial international conference, which is the largest gathering of the AAC community worldwide, bringing together researchers, clinicians, AAC users, and families to share research and practice.
Communication Bill of Rights: USSAAC promotes the Communication Bill of Rights — a document originally developed in 1992 and updated in 2016 that articulates the fundamental communication rights of all people, regardless of disability. These rights include the right to request desired objects, actions, events, and people; to express personal preferences; to have communication attempts honoured; and to access AT.
LAMP and other evidence-based practices: USSAAC promotes awareness of evidence-based AAC intervention approaches and helps connect families and professionals with current research.
Key programs and resources
- Communication Bill of Rights — widely used framework in AAC practice
- Membership community connecting AAC users, families, and professionals
- Resources on funding, device selection, and AAC evidence base
Who they serve
AAC users of all ages and communication profiles, families, speech-language pathologists, OTs, AT specialists, educators, and researchers.
Why it matters
For people who use AAC to communicate — whether high-tech speech-generating devices, low-tech symbol boards, or other systems — access to AAC is a communication and human rights issue. USSAAC provides the professional community and advocacy infrastructure that supports expanding access to AAC and improving AAC practice.
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