Welcome to Everyone Communicates!

As our name indicates, we believe that everyone communicates, in one way or another. We also believe that communication is a basic need in life. When an individual does not have fluent, natural speech, it is urgent that other methods of communication, often called augmentative or alternative communication (AAC), be explored exhaustively.
Being unable to speak does not mean that an individual does not understand, cannot learn to communicate, or cannot think and reason. It only means that the person has a barrier to communication. With access to a variety of methods, and with creative, attentive, and dedicated people providing support, people with communication impairments caused by a wide range of disabilities can work to develop effective communication.

Freedom to Communicate

Freedom to Communicate
Stick figures, one with communication device and speech bubble; "Freedom to Communicate = Access to conversation anywhere, anytime, about anything with anybody through technology and personalized supports if needed.

Dedication

DEDICATION: This site is dedicated to people who are still waiting for a means to communicate more effectively. We hope this site helps to bring access to communication to more people so that someday soon everyone will have the opportunity to communicate effectively, and no one will have to spend days or years or a lifetime in silence.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Song: Take Me to Conversation: AAC and Literacy Advocacy

Take Me to Conversation: AAC Awareness Song
(tune of Take Me Out to the Ballgame)

I must have conversation.
Teach me literacy.
It will set my conversation free.
You must introduce mentors to me.
And of course role models with help me
Because they show what can be
Self-determination and more possibilities.

Come and hang out with me, I
Talk with technology.
People call it AAC, you know,
It gives me a strong voice and although
You may think perhaps it cannot be,
I’ll show you and you’ll see,
Conversation works very well with my A-A-C.

A-A-C is just ways to
Choose, discuss, and to chat.
If perhaps speaking is hard, you see,
Then alternatives may be the key,
And with pointing, signing or typing,
Eye-gaze or switches to press
Conversation happens and takes away lots of stress.

Who you ask needs A-A-C?
Many people you see
Anyone who tries and cannot find
How to speak to say what’s on their mind.
You must never doubt that A-A-C
Sets thoughts and feelings free.
A-A-C conversation gets better with literacy.

One last thing that you must know,
Hear us before we go.
Yes, everyone does communicate.
Listen well and facilitate.
And then silence won’t have to rule ‘cause
People have A-A-C.
You can make a difference presuming competence.

So yes . . .
We all need conversation.
We need literacy.
Yes, conversation can set us free.
Mentors also help both you and me.
And of course role models can help us,
Because they show what can be:
Self-determination and more possibilities.
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