The Augmentative and Alternative Communication Bill

MAC led a major campaign resulting in enactment of of the Center’s 2009-2010 priority legislation, An Act to Improve Teacher Training in Augmentative and Alternative Communication. The law ensures that teachers of students with moderate disabilities and teachers of students with severe disabilities receive instruction on the appropriate use of augmentative and alternative communication devices. The law is a critical first step, as teachers of students with moderate disabilities represent the majority of special education teachers. In enacting the AAC bill lawmakers recognized that it is essential to statutorily protect the rights of children with autism and other disabilities who are nonverbal or have limited speech and use AAC.

In 2011, MAC subsequently led strong advocacy efforts to ensure that the Department of Education issued regulations addressing issues critical to ensure full and effective implementation of the law. The Department issued regulations, and also agreed to issue Guidelines for the development of teacher preparation programs that address areas of concern voiced by MAC and others during public testimony. MAC provided extensive input to the Department in the creation of the Guidelines and developed a comprehensive list of AAC Resources that can be used to support the preparation of teachers of students with moderate to severe disabilities.

Additional information and resources are available on our Autism Resources page.

• An Act to Improve Teacher Training in Augmentative and Alternative Communication

• DESE Guidance

• AAC Resources

• DESE Regulations – 603 CMR 7.00

• DESE Guidelines for the Preparation of Teachers of Moderate and Severe Disabilities: Instruction on the appropriate use of augmentative and alternative communication and other assistive technologies

• Your rights regarding assistive technology and devices (including augmentative and alternative communication) under federal special education law.