“Communication is Everything:” The Experiences of Volunteers who use AAC

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the impact that using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) had on the experiences of 24 adults with lifelong disabilities who worked as volunteers. This research forms part of a larger qualitative study of volunteering amongst adults who use AAC. Based on in-depth interviews and grounded theory analysis, the results indicate that communication is central to successful volunteering and, in particular, that access to AAC has the potential to provide valuable support to individuals with complex communication needs who want to volunteer. However, a number of barriers must be addressed in order for this potential to be achieved. Strategies for promoting and supporting adults who use AAC and want to volunteer are discussed.

Keywords:

• Augmentative communication
• Adult
• Disability
• Volunteer

Author Note

David Trembath, Discipline of Speech Pathology, University of Sydney; Susan Balandin, Avdeling for helse-og sosialfag Høgskolen i Molde; Roger Stancliffe, Discipline of Occupational Therapy, University of Sydney; Leanne Togher, Discipline of Speech Pathology, University of Sydney. David Trembath is now at the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychological Science, La Trobe University. This research formed part of the first author's PhD thesis and was supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council postgraduate research scholarship.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.