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About Our Center
AAACT provides information, referral, and advocacy services for adults with speech impairments resulting from degenerative neurological conditions and helps them to obtain needed augmentative communication services and devices.
"Augmentative communication" refers to devices and strategies used to help persons communicate. Examples range from handmade communication boards to sophisticated computerized equipment with voice output.
AAACT serves individuals wherever they reside--at home or in a variety of facility settings. Emphasis is also given to working with family and other caregivers.
AAACT works in collaboration with medical, rehabilitative, and community groups (e.g. hospitals, clinics, assisted living and nursing homes, home health, hospice, support groups, and civic organizations, etc.)
AAACT does not duplicate existing services, but seeks to involve and coordinate appropriate partners to facilitate appropriate and timely services.
For consumers and families:
Initial screening of augmentative communication needs and referral to appropriate evaluation facilities/services;
Coordination of evaluation process;
Work with individuals and caregivers to devise new communication strategies, including the design and creation of custom-made "low-tech" devices;
Loan of communication devices through the AAACT Loan Closet so that consumers may "try out" recommended equipment and/or have access to devices while waiting to secure their own;
Assistance with funding issues, including applications to insurance companies and development of funding alternatives;
Training (including programming) on devices in the home setting;
Information and referral regarding issues associated with caring for those with degenerative neurological diseases
For health care professions:
Consultation and training for health care professionals and interested public groups regarding issues, devices and services.
AAACT serves persons 16 or older who are losing or have lost their speech as the result of a degenerative neurological disease such as Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS), Parkinson's Disease, or Muscular Dystrophy.
The AAACT Project primarily serves the following counties in North Carolina: Alamance, Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, Caswell, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Iredell, Person, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes and Yadkin.
There are no fees for AAACT services.
Funding for the AAACT Project is provided through the North Carolina Assistive Technology Program.
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