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AAC use in the community

NAS94554
3 months ago

Hello,

I am new to the NAS forum/community and I work with a number of young people who use iPads as their voice . 

I am wondering if anyone has any experience with having to explain to a disability centre that using an AAC device is not the same as 'having screentime'? I am trying to help a centre understand that their no tablet policy means the young person has no access to express themselves when on site. 

Thank you

AK

  • 1 month ago

    I am not experienced with AAC. However, it is an area of understanding about which I have been trying to learn more. There are 2 documents of which I am aware which may assist you in your attempt to influence the centre you describe.

    I hope it may help you to be able to quote phrases / references / legislation or guidance names from e.g. NHS / Department of Health / Department of Education source documents. (It might lend a different voice to your lobbying - to be able to make reference to some of the content of these documents / include the link or attach the PDF on an email).

    1) NHS -

    “Guidance for commissioning AAC services and equipment (2016)”:

    Page 15 includes an appendix listing regional NHS groups who may be able to further support your situation: “Appendix 4: Local AAC service case studies”

    https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2016/03/guid-comms-aac.pdf

    2) Department for Education / Department for Health -

    “Special educational needs and disability code of practice: 0 to 25 years

    Statutory guidance for organisations which work with and support children and young people who have special educational needs or disabilities (2015)”:

    Assistance with wording you can find in the guidance document varies: based on need by different age groups 0 – 25 years of age (including: in specific circumstances, in support of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice, page 13 states the Code of Practice is statutory guidance for the following organisations [lists the different types of organisation]):

    This guidance refers to Part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014 and associated regulations. The regulations associated with the Children and Families Act 2014 are: • The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 • The Special Educational Needs (Personal Budgets) Regulations 2014 • The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Detained Persons) Regulations 2015 • The Children and Families Act 2014 (Transitional and Saving Provisions)(No 2) Order 2014

    Page 68 mentions ASC: “enabling available facilities to be accessed by disabled children and young people and those with SEN (this should include ancillary aids and assistive technology, including Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC))”

    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/398815/SEND_Code_of_Practice_January_2015.pdf

  • 3 months ago
    NAS94554 said:
    I am trying to help a centre understand that their no tablet policy means the young person has no access to express themselves when on site.

    Telling them it is analogous to a guide dog for a blind person may make it easier for them to understand.

    Does the issue stem from there being a risk of information being recorded in some way? If not then there seems no justifiable reason for the refusal, and to deny disabled people thier "support device" to enable them to communicate would be a case of disability discrimination.

    This should make them take it more seriously.