Access

When considering which AAC device is the best fit for your students, it is important to consider how they will interact with the device. There are two types of ways that students access communication devices: direct selection or indirect selection.

In addition to physical access, the team should also consider the student’s sensory needs. Does the student have a visual impairment that may affect their ability to see their device? Do they have a hearing impairment and may not be able to use the auditory feedback of their device or hear what their communication partner is saying to them? Collecting information on a student’s vision and hearing needs as it relates to communication is an important component of the information gathering process.