A to Z: One Month of AAC Awareness, A Year of Learning

We’re reflecting on our A–Z campaign for this year’s AAC Awareness Month, but we don’t want the learning to stop on 31 October.

Y is for You Matter 

Successful AAC support requires entire school teams to develop a shared understanding of communication and their role in supporting it. You Matter – Education Edition helps build their AAC knowledge, strengthen communication partner skills and develop a more learner-centred approach to communication support. It is a valuable resource for AAC professionals looking to build confidence, consistency and a whole-school approach to AAC. Learn more about You Matter.  

X is for eXpress Yourself 

Communication is about more than making choices or answering questions. AAC users need opportunities to share their opinions, interests, humour, preferences and experiences in ways that are meaningful to them. Express Yourself provides practical ideas for creating opportunities for self-expression across everyday activities and group learning. Download this free resource. 

W is for What? Who? When? 

Three questions frequently arise when people begin learning about AAC: What is AAC? Who needs AAC? When should you start using AAC? These online introductory courses provide a strong foundation for understanding the role AAC can play in supporting communication. They are ideal for families, educators and professionals looking to build confidence and challenge common misconceptions. Learn more about these on-demand courses.    

V is for Videos 

Videos have a unique ability to bring AAC stories to life. Through real experiences from AAC users and their families, our case studies demonstrate the many different ways that AAC can support participation, independence and everyday life. They offer valuable insight, inspiration and practical learning for anyone supporting AAC users. Watch the stories. 

U is for Understanding Features 

Choosing an electronic text-based AAC solution can be challenging, particularly when different systems offer similar functions. Understanding Features of Electronic Text-Based AAC helps AAC users, families and professionals focus on the features that matter most rather than comparing products alone. Through videos, comparison tools and practical resources, it supports more informed decision-making. Access this free resource.  

T is for Talking Mats 

Everyone deserves the opportunity to share their views and participate in decisions that affect them. Talking Mats provides a structured way to support conversations, helping AAC users explore opinions, experiences and preferences. Ace Centre has worked with Talking Mats to develop AAC-focused resources that help ensure communication remains genuinely person-centred. Learn more about using Talking Mats.  

S is for Switch Assessment 

Switches can open up access to communication, learning, play and environmental control. A successful switch assessment looks beyond the switch itself to consider movement, positioning, fatigue, motivation and participation. The Framework for Switch Assessment provides a structured approach to finding effective and sustainable access solutions. Download the free Framework.  

R is for Resources 

Having access to the right resource can make AAC feel much more achievable. The Getting Started with Paper-Based Symbol Resources eBook is packed with practical ideas, photographs and video examples of setting up and implementing paper-based AAC. It is an excellent resource for anyone looking to move beyond simple symbol charts and develop richer communication opportunities. Access this free eBook to learn more.  

Q is for Questionnaire 

Supporting multilingual AAC users starts with understanding their language world. The Language Questionnaire helps professionals gather information about language use, literacy skills, communication environments and AAC needs across different languages. This information can help inform more personalised and effective AAC support. Download the free resource to get started.  

P is for Policy 

Strong AAC practice is built on more than individual enthusiasm; it thrives when supported by a whole-setting commitment. An AAC policy helps educational environments develop a shared understanding of communication, roles, responsibilities and expectations. A Guide to Writing an Effective AAC Policy in Education Settings provides practical support for creating a policy that reflects the needs of your own learners and staff. Download this free resource.   

O is for Occupational Therapists 

Occupational Therapists bring a unique perspective to AAC by focusing on access and participation. They consider factors such as positioning, movement, fatigue, equipment and environments to help AAC users communicate as effectively as possible. Their expertise helps ensure that communication systems are not only available but genuinely accessible in everyday life. Explore access-focused guidance and resources. 

N is for NHS Service Finder 

Finding the right service can sometimes be one of the biggest challenges for families and professionals. The NHS Service Finder brings together information about AAC Services, Environmental Control Services and Wheelchair Services across the UK. It provides a practical starting point for understanding what support may be available and how to access it. Explore the NHS Service Finder.  

M is for Modelling Alternative Access 

AAC users who access communication through eye pointing, encoding, coded access or listener-mediated scanning need to see those methods being used by others. Effective modelling demonstrates not only the vocabulary available, but also the route to accessing it. The Access to Paper-based Symbol Resources when Pointing is Difficult eBook provides practical guidance and video examples showing how different alternative access methods can be supported. Read the free eBook to learn more. 

L is for Literacy 

For AAC users, literacy can provide access to an almost unlimited vocabulary. Learning about letters, words and spelling opens up opportunities to communicate new ideas, ask questions, share opinions and express messages that may not already exist within an AAC system. The blog Teaching Literacy to Learners Who use AAC offers practical ideas for supporting literacy from the earliest stages, without waiting for a learner to be considered “ready”. Read the blog to learn more.   

K is for Keep it Personal 

AAC systems should reflect the things that matter most to the individual using them. The Identifying Vocabulary to Personalise AAC resource helps teams identify people, places, interests, activities and experiences that should be included within an AAC system to make it meaningful. It supports AAC professionals to move beyond generic vocabulary and create communication systems that enable genuine self-expression. Download the free resources to get started.  

J is for Joy 

Learners are often most motivated to communicate when activities are meaningful, enjoyable and engaging. The Symbol Charts collection provides communication supports linked to games, stories, play activities and everyday experiences that naturally encourage interaction. These resources help communication partners create positive communication opportunities built around learner interests and enjoyment. Start using Symbol Charts today.  

I is for Information Appointments 

Finding the right AAC information at the right time can make a significant difference to decision-making and next steps. Information Appointments provide access to informal conversations with members of the Ace Centre clinical team about AAC and Assistive Technology needs. They offer AAC professionals a valuable opportunity to discuss ideas, explore options and access unbiased information. Book an Information Appointment.  

H is for How to Develop and Use a Communication Book 

A well-designed communication book can provide access to a wide range of language and communication opportunities. The Developing and Using a Communication Book (DUCB) guide and accompanying training help users understand vocabulary organisation, personalisation, communication partner support and how communication books can develop over time. They provide AAC professionals with a structured framework for creating robust communication books that can grow alongside the learner. Learn more about the DUCB system.  

G is for Getting Started 

Getting started with AAC can feel overwhelming for families and professionals alike. The Getting Started collection provides practical introductions to topics such as core words, modelling, yes/no, literacy and paper-based AAC. These resources give AAC professionals accessible materials they can use to build their own confidence and that of the people they support. Check out these free resources.   

F is for Family 

Families are central partners in the success of AAC and often play a key role in supporting communication beyond formal settings. The You Matter – Family Edition brings families and professionals together to develop shared understanding, practical strategies and confidence in AAC support. It helps AAC professionals strengthen collaborative working and create more family-centred approaches to communication support. Learn more about You Matter.  

E is for Eye Pointing 

Eye pointing can provide a powerful route to communication long before high-tech eye gaze is considered. Look2Talk helps communication partners recognise, develop and support purposeful eye pointing through practical activities and guidance. It is particularly useful for professionals looking to build confidence in low-tech eye-pointing approaches and communication partner skills. Learn more about this free resource.   

D is for Decision-Making 

Good AAC decisions are built on a strong understanding of how someone communicates in everyday life. The Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC helps teams explore communication across different environments, partners and purposes, creating a fuller picture of strengths and needs. It supports AAC professionals to make more informed, person-centred decisions about intervention and support. Get started with this free resource.  

C is for Communication Partners 

AAC success depends not only on the communication system but also on the people supporting its use. This free on-demand training explores communication partner skills such as modelling, waiting, responding and creating opportunities for communication. It’s a great support for families, educators and support staff to become more confident and effective communication partners. Take the course today.  

B is for Bilingual 

When an AAC user communicates across more than one language, multilingual support becomes an important consideration for assessment and intervention. The Practical Tips when working with AAC Users who communicate in Languages Other than English resource offers practitioner-informed guidance to support equitable practice across languages, from foundational to enhanced skills. It helps AAC professionals build confidence in an area that can feel complex, particularly when they do not share the languages of the AAC user. Download this free resource to get started.  

A is for Access 

Physical access difficulties shouldn’t limit access to rich language. When a learner finds it difficult to point to symbols, the challenge may not be the language system itself, but how they access it. The blog Don’t Limit the Language, Change the Access discusses how changing access methods, rather than reducing the vocabulary, opens up a world of possibilities with robust vocabulary. Read the blog to learn more.  

AAC Awareness Month gives us an opportunity to highlight important topics, but the need for learning, reflection and professional development continues throughout the year.  Whether your next step is learning about access, literacy, communication partners, multilingual AAC, switch access, communication books or family support, we hope this list has given you practical places to start.  

The most important lesson from this month’s journey? There is always more to learn, and every new insight creates new opportunities to support AAC users to communicate, participate and thrive. 

Which letter will you explore next?