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Abstract
Over the past few years, both augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) consumers and professionals have become increasingly concerned about the problems faced by persons with severe speech and writing impairments in the area of employment. This is no less true for persons with developmental disabilities than for the larger population of AAC consumers. Most of these individuals do not work at all; those that do work spend their days in sheltered workshops rather than in integrated, community employment. This Forum article takes an admittedly “radical” position with regard to the deficiencies of sheltered work settings as contexts for communication. Communication in general, and augmentative communication in particular, is described as being antithetical to the value system, opportunities, and types of relationships available in sheltered workshops. The implications of this oxymoron are discussed, and a brief description of a supported employment model for people with developmental disabilities is described in terms of its advantages for enhancing communication.