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Abstract
This article is the written version of the Don Johnston, Inc./AbleNet Distinguished Lecture that was presented by the author at the biennial meeting of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) in Washington, DC, August 2000. The author reviews relevant historical and philosophical positions that have influenced the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and challenges practitioners to emphasize language development for communicative competence. He also urges practitioners to continue to advance the cause of literacy instruction and development for AAC users, regardless of their apparent ability.