Augmentative and alternative communication

A range of strategies, tools, and technologies used to supplement or replace spoken or written communication for people who have difficulty producing or understanding speech. AAC encompasses unaided methods (gestures, facial expressions, sign language, body language) and aided methods using external tools — from low-tech options like picture boards and communication books to high-tech speech-generating devices, eye-tracking systems, and mobile apps. AAC is used by people with a wide range of conditions including cerebral palsy, autism, ALS, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and developmental disabilities. In accessibility, AAC highlights that communication is not limited to speech and text — interfaces and services must accommodate diverse communication modalities, and the people around AAC users (family, caregivers, professionals) also need training and tools to support effective communication.