What is augmentative communication, and why is it important?

This is another focus question from our course textbook, “Assistive Technology in the Classroom: Enhancing the School Experiences of Students with Disabilities”. I think it is important to understand the definition of augmentative communication and why it is so important for all individuals. Augmentative communication is the devices and technology that allows people who cannot speak to have a voice and communicate with others. Augmentative communication can be in the form of hand gestures or sign language which is labeled as unaided systems. Assistive technology systems or other systems that use a piece of equipment to aid in the communication for people are considered aided systems. Augmentative communication is important because everyone has the right to speak. We use speech everyday to ask for help, give presentations at our work place, or express our wants and needs. If we did not have speech we would not be able to communicate our needs. With the help of augmentative communication systems, those who cannot speak have systems available to them to help them communicate in their daily lives, which gives them the basic right to communicate.  
 

Reference: Dell, A., & Newton, D. (2008). Assistive technology in the classroom: Enhancing the school experiences of students with disabilities. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.