Specific programme: Erasmus+ KA2 “Capacity Building”
UPV/EHU Partner Status: Beneficiary
UPV/EHU PI: Argia Langarika Rocafort
UPV/EHU CO-PI: Gorka Roman Etxebarrieta
Project start: 01/09/2017
Project end: 31/12/2019

Web: http://www.aac-school.eu/

Brief description:  The goal of this project consists on strengthening the profile of teaching profession, especially for those working closely with individuals with communication difficulties, ie classroom assistants, teachers, therapists. AAC@school focuses on supporting inclusion of disadvantaged learners in school educational paths through a specific methodology - Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and the most recent ICT applications and devices connected to that. The main need addressed is the gap in communication and literacy abilities of students with significant communication difficulties - such as persons with different cultural and/or language background, people with disabilities - for many people, in fact, the ability to communicate is such an integral part of life that they take it for granted and do not realize its value in connecting them to others, enabling them to conduct an independent life. For those people who have severe communication impairments an AAC method may mean the answer to silence, isolation and dependence. Every student with a communication difficulty is entitled to education within the least restrictive environment, that is, he/she should be given the opportunity to be educated with same age peers and have access to the general education curricula to the greatest extent possible, with supplementary aids provided as necessary. The goal of AAC intervention for school-age children is in fact to increase the potential of success of these students in a learning environment that relies heavily on oral and written communication. This methodology aim to provide equal opportunities for all to let children acquire, use and develop their language and communication skills across subjects, people and situations throughout, outside and beyond school life.