The North American Alliance for Communication Access (NAACA) is a volunteer-based working group committed to promoting equitable participation for individuals who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Comprised of representatives from Communication Disabilities Access Canada (CDAC), ISAAC Canada, USSAAC (the U.S. Chapter of ISAAC), and CATIC in Mexico, NAACA brings together regional expertise and advocacy to ensure that people who use AAC are fully included in conferences, meetings, and online events. NAACA’s mission is rooted in raising awareness, promoting accessibility, and driving inclusive practices within professional and community-based settings.
This presentation will provide an in-depth look at how NAACA’s collaboration with the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) has evolved over time. Specifically, we will explore how Communication Access Guidelines—originally introduced as recommendations—have been refined, expanded, and increasingly integrated into ISAAC’s official procedures and culture. We will highlight how feedback from AAC users and other stakeholders at the three most recent ISAAC events (two virtual and one in person) directly influenced improvements to these guidelines. These insights helped shape clearer, more actionable strategies to promote authentic participation by AAC users.
We will share how NAACA and ISAAC have moved from the development of suggested best practices toward the formal adoption of communication access guidelines as part of ISAAC’s organizational policies. This evolution demonstrates not only a commitment to accessibility but also an understanding of the systemic changes needed to ensure communication equity at all levels of engagement.
A critical element of this work will be the active involvement of the ISAAC community. Members can play a vital role in promoting awareness, implementing access strategies, and encouraging other organizations to follow suit. Through our collective advocacy, we can reach a growing recognition that communication access is not optional—it is a matter of human rights and inclusion.
We will also present two real-world case examples of how organizations outside of ISAAC have personalized and implemented the Communication Access Guidelines in ways that reflect their unique structures, needs, and event formats. These examples serve as practical models for other groups looking to create more accessible environments for AAC users.
To support ongoing implementation, attendees will receive access to free downloadable resources, including updated guidelines for planning accessible in-person and virtual events. These materials provide actionable steps and adaptable templates to help organizations move beyond awareness into concrete, sustainable practices.
By showcasing this journey—from early collaboration to policy integration—this session aims to inspire further adoption of communication access guidelines across diverse sectors. We invite participants to join us in building a future where communication access is embedded into the foundation of every inclusive space.
