Augmentative communication and empowerment supports: A look at outcomes

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Abstract
Augmentative Communication and Empowerment Supports (ACES), a unique approach to augmentative communication mastery and empowerment for adults with significant physical and speech disabilities, is described. In addition, the results of a questionnaire developed to measure participants' outcomes are reported for those participants who attended ACES between 1990 and 1992. After a 2-week immersion program and 1 year of follow-up training and supports, most of the 17 adults who responded to a questionnaire reported that learning to use a communication device had substantially helped them in many of the major life activities such as communication, maintaining a source of income, and acquiring new skills. The scope of communication was quite broad, including communicating with unfamiliar people, in a group; on the telephone; writing; giving formal presentations; and engaging in a wide range of advocacy. Based on this data, “best practices” in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) are described as well as major issues still facing people with significant physical and speech disabilities.

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