Start the Chat: The AAC Podcast

In part two of our literacy theme on Start the Chat, we hear from Emily Cowen, an AAC user and advocate, as she shares her literacy journey and the barriers she faced along the way. Together, we reflect on the importance of inclusivity, the role of belief in supporting people who use AAC, and how assumptions and bias can limit opportunities for learning and self-expression. We then meet Jamie Preece and his partner Emma to hear their perspective on discovering literacy later in life. Jamie shares the impact literacy has had on his ability to communicate, and how he combines spelling, phrases, symbols, prediction and re-voicing to get his message across effectively. Both stories powerfully reinforce themes from our previous conversation with Maureen Donnelly, highlighting how literacy can give people who use AAC greater freedom, independence, and control over their communication. To learn more about Emily and her work, visit www.emsdisabilityadvocacyconsultingservices.com.

In this episode of Start the Chat, we explore literacy with early childhood education expert Maureen Donnelly, Director at Building Wings – an organisation dedicated to creating engaging instructional materials that support a wide range of learners.Maureen shares her passion for a supportive, student-centred approach to reading and writing, highlighting how giving learners space to explore and express their ideas fosters meaningful growth towards the most flexible communication possible.Together, we discuss the science of reading, the importance of phonics, how to recognise and navigate our own biases, and the role of AAC in supporting literacy development.In this episode, Maureen mentions Camp Alec (www.campalec.com) and the book Comprehensive Literacy for All, by Drs. Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver. Stay tuned for part two on literacy next month, where we will hear from someone who uses AAC, on what the journey towards literacy can feel like. 

In the second episode of Start the Chat, we explore aphasia and how AAC can support people living with this condition.Chris and Melanie speak with Michael, who uses AAC part-time after it helped him through rehabilitation following a stroke. Now known as his “buddy”, AAC is a tool Michael uses when he needs it, supporting both his communication and his memory.The episode also features insights from Speech and Language Therapists and Smartbox Content Team members Daisy and Eva, who discuss the development of a dedicated aphasia vocabulary for Grid users. They explain why designing with both the AAC user and their communication partner in mind is essential - and how this thinking led to the name Aphasia Duo. Find more information here: thinksmartbox.com/aphasia-duo/To learn more about USS AAC Speaker Connection visit: www.ussaac.org/aac-speaker-connection/

In our first episode, Melanie and Chris meet Deanna, a person with ALS/MND, to hear her lived experience with AAC. She shares what it was like to lose her natural speaking voice and how an AI-generated voice has helped her reclaim an important part of her identity.We then speak with Specialist Speech Therapist Richard Cave, who is a leading voice in the field of voice banking. Richard explains how recent advances in AI have made huge strides in transforming what’s possible for people who rely on AAC, and the difference having an accurate-sounding voice can make to someone facing huge changes in their life after a diagnosis. This episode explores AAC technology and the impact it can have on voice and identity. 

Welcome to Start The Chat, The AAC podcast, from Smartbox. In this short trailer, your hosts - Speech-Language Therapists Chris Gibbons, Melanie Gylling, and Alicia Alverson - share what this series is all about: communication, connection, and the stories that matter to people who use AAC and those who support them. We explore the rapidly evolving world of AAC - an emerging technology with enormous potential to change how people communicate. Each episode opens up a conversation about real experiences, practical insights, and new possibilities in voice, identity, access, and participation.Have an idea you’d like us to talk about? Email us at [email protected]. Let’s learn, explore, and start the chat about AAC together.