The Background

In 1998 ISAAC  (the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication) decided to apply its vision to its internal practices and changed its bylaws to include members using augmentative communication in decision making roles. Leadership opportunities in committees, as a member or chair, and board and officer roles at the international and national levels, were mandated in the bylaws and guidelines. This commitment noticeably increased participation by people using AAC in the Society’s activities, in committees, conferences, workshops and research projects over these years. Such success is however only a beginning and has highlighted the need for a process to develop leadership skills in order to truly pioneer inclusive governance practices in an environment where communicating is not an equal ability.

What is Needed

It has become clear that for the long term future it is not sufficient to draw on the very few people using AAC who already have the ability and background to fill leadership roles. It is incumbent on ISAAC to harness the aspirations and talent of the many young people who use AAC and coach them for the future. When you rely on AAC to communicate the ladder of participation needs a first rung at an early stage in life. ISAAC is developing tools and a framework for leadership development that will reach those who want to lead and those who may do so in their future. The first phase- identifying barriers- was completed in the Fall of 2006 ( see article under Leadership on the Information Exchange)

An Innovative Event to Build Leadership

One idea that has caught the imagination of many people is to hold an annual event across the world that will give a leadership experience to the participants and raise the public awareness of AAC at the same time. The first event will be in 2007. It will be kept simple to make it easy for people to participate. It will take place in school classrooms across the world, organised by the ISAAC members in the country in as many schools as they have easy access to. The event would go like this. The class teacher will ask the children to discuss a topic using any means other than their voices for 20 minutes. The topic would be described by the teacher in words and, if they wish, in AAC symbols (permission has been sought from Bliss, Rebus and PCS for the use of their symbols). Any child using AAC in the class will experience being in the leader’s role in this event. The child will have one of those ‘first rung of the ladder’ experiences that leave a lasting impression in life. The event is proposed for October 2007, the anniversary month of ISAAC’s founding charter in 1983.  Several countries have committed to the event from Asia, Middle East, Europe, North and South America and Africa and we expect more once sponsorship is secured.