A Look at Employment for Adults Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Abstract

This research study examined employment for adults who use augmentative and alternate communication (AAC). A self-compiled, 54-question survey was created using SurveyMonkey and disseminated via listservs and social media. Participants included twelve adults, between the ages of 23 and 65, who used AAC to communicate and were employed. All participants lived in the United States and had been diagnosed with neurological and/or developmental disabilities. Information was gathered in the following areas: (a) demographics, (b) AAC systems used in the workplace, (c) the job-search process, (d) on-the-job training, (e) barriers to employment, and (f) supports required for employment. Based on the findings of this study, the most common barriers to employment for these individuals include educational barriers, AAC system barriers, job-finding barriers, job-training barriers, negative societal attitudes, funding and benefits barriers, and transportation barriers. Supports used in the workplace include AAC, transportation, personal care assistants for activities of daily living, computer modifications, desk/location modifications, flex time, telecommuting, personal assistant/job coach who helps complete work-related tasks, and frequent breaks in work tasks.