What gets measured gets done
On Monday 6 March 2023, Jacob Matthew (Australia) and I had the opportunity to address the 288h UNCRPD committee on communication rights. We were privileged to once more be representing...
A to Z of AAC
I'd been toying with the idea of an A to Z of AAC for months. Suddenly October seemed the right time to share my thoughts as it was international AAC...
Direct input to communicate using AAC
Being given all the tools to communicate is brilliant. However, being human there are sometimes unexpected physical and environmental factors that impact our output. Occasionally however hard I try I...
Using AAC at home
Using AAC at home and in the wider community has to be a real goal in my mind. Schools are reactive environments for many children who use AAC, answering questions...
AAC speech is not free
We live in a society where we supposedly have the right to freedom of speech. The majority of the population can say what they think, when they want and where...
AAC and my thoughts at 10 years old
I’ve been speaking in public since I was 11, back in 2005. The very first time I was in front of an audience I felt hesitant but I got really...
AAC, spoons and speech fatigue
I’ve spent several years using spoon theory to effectively explain to others my physical energy and fatigue levels. However, I realise that spoon theory could also be adapted to self-management...
International Communication Rights Alliance
I've been a committee member on the International Communication Rights Alliance (ICRA) since January 2021. ICRA has been working towards operationalising communication rights for those with comprehensive communication needs. Jacob...
Ableism and communication impairment
There has been so much on social media recently about ableism. One tweet “abled bodied privilege is ….the advantage people have simply for not being disabled’ got me thinking. Sorry,...