AAC Centre

Communication is truly an integral part of human life and at DDRC, many of our clients with developmental disabilities are faced with significant communication challenges. Most do not use traditional forms of communication - such as verbal speech - and as a result, significant barriers exist between the individual and the community. The inability to effectively communicate needs, desires, ideas and feelings and to share information with others, tremendously restricts persons with developmental disabilities in all aspects of life — employment; education; with friends and family; and in the community.

The Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Centre at DDRC is unique in Alberta and is dedicated to supporting adults with developmental disabilities who have communication challenges to communicate with and be understood by the people in their lives and in the community. The AAC Centre team works to provide the customized supports necessary - often through assistive technology (AT) — to bridge these communication gaps that exist between the individual and the community to provide a higher quality of life.

The AAC Centre team takes a functional approach to provide solutions for face-to-face and reading/writing communication challenges. Some examples of the assistive technology include:

		Low-tech tools - This category of assistive technology (AT) is defined as having no moving parts or electronics. This includes the alphabet; symbolic cues (PCS); visual schedules; or picture communication boards.
		Mid-tech speech generating communication devices (SGCD) - These devices are electronic voice-output systems, but have a static display which is accessed by direct selection.
		High-tech speech generating communication devices (SGCD) - These devices are essentially computers equipped with additional software that allow it to “speak” for the user.

The Augmentative and Alternative Communication Centre department relies on funding from government agencies and private donors.

The AAC Centre currently serves clients receiving service from DDRC. In the near future, we will be offering our services to all adults with developmental disabilities in Alberta.

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For more information or to access the services of the AAC Centre, please contact us:

Marta Aragon-Humphrey, Registered Speech Language Pathologist (R S-LP)
Augmentative and Alternative Communication Centre Coordinator
Tel: 403.685.6444   Email: martaa@ddrcc.com

Tynesha Hingst,
Augmentative and Alternative Communication Facilitator
Tel: 403.685.6445   Email: tyneshah@ddrcc.com

 

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