Guidelines
- Communication Plan Guidelines - These Guidelines describe what supports an individual needs for them to communicate effectively in a variety of settings. It also includes tips on how to create a communication plan, who needs copies of the plan, and supplemental information and resources.
- A Guide to Medicaid Funding for Communication Evaluations and Devices - A funding guide to help people who are eligible follow the Medicaid process to obtain a communication evaluation and a communication device/system. Includes mobile devices (e.g., iPads).
Forms
- Communication Dictionary - A document that helps to outline the ways in which an individual communicates. This is an important tool for people who do not communicate using methods such as speech, writing or symbols.
- Communication Planning Checklist - a checklist to assist an individual and their team in identifying specific needs for communication so an appropriate plan can be developed within their Individual Support Agreement (ISA) to meet these needs.
- Communication Plan Form - a form for creating a personalized Communication Plan. It is used to document the component parts of a Communication Plan as described in the Communication Plan Guidelines.
- Communication Technology Information Form - a form to collect information essential to the use and maintenance of a person's communication device.
Resources
- Annotated Communication Resource Guide - An annotated guide to communication resources, including basic information on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), that provides excellent guidance to help get started or advance work already being done.
- Communication Bill of Rights - The National Joint Committee for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities (NJC), Communication Bill of Rights. The NJC is part of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
- Communication Consultants Serving Vermont - A list of Communication Consultants who have Augmented and Alternative Communications (AAC) experience, and other communication/assistive technology access specialists, who work with individuals with developmental disabilities in Vermont.
- Communication First - The only nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil rights of the more than 5 million children and adults in United States who, due to disability or other condition, cannot rely on speech alone to be heard and understood. Communication First's mission is to protect and advance the rights, autonomy, opportunity, and dignity of people with speech-related disabilities through public engagement, policy and practice reform, and systemic advocacy.
- Communication Plan Training Slides: How to Write a Communication Plan - a PowerPoint presentation that reviews the purpose and components of a Communication Plan, what makes an effective Plan, incorporating technology, and how best to use them.
- The Words We Use: CommunicationFIRST's Style Guide - a brief history of words to describe "people who cannot rely on speech alone to be heard and understood." It provides a list of "Words we Currently Use" and "Words we Currently Avoid" - and why.
Media
- LISTEN – A short 5-1/2 minute film made by and with nonspeaking autistic people, produced by CommunicationFIRST. More information about CommunicationFIRST
- Utter Communication Strategies - Mark Utter is a self-proclaimed inspirational speaker who types to communicate. Mark's communication strategies uses humor and insight to connect us to ourselves and others.
- Wretches & Jabberers Website - A website about a road trip filmed by Gerardine Wurzburg that "sheds personal light on the global face of autism." "[This] compelling documentary chronicles the world travels of disability rights advocates [from Vermont], Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette, in a bold quest to change attitudes about the intelligence and abilities of people with autism." The site includes Larry's and Tracy's blogs and information on how to watch the film.