You may be asked to give presentations on a range of topics about communication access rights and using AAC.

This lesson will give you tips for making presentations.

Presentations about your personal experiences are very valuable. You can help people understand what it is like to use AAC in everyday life.

Remember to speak about what you know.

It is important to tell people that you are sharing your own personal opinions and experiences. Other people who have communication disabilities may have different views.

Presentations about different types of communication disabilities and accessibility laws, policies and procedures should be done together with CDAC or a Speech Language Pathologist.

This is especially important for presentations to essential services such as healthcare, legal and justice services and emergency responders. This is because these services need to be accessible not only to you, but to others who have communication disabilities.

Ask:

• What is the topic?
• How long is the presentation?
• Who is the audience?
• Is the venue accessible? (e.g. ramp to stage)
• Are your costs covered? (e.g. travel, honorarium, attendant or communication assistant)

Ask:

• Do they have the audio-visual equipment you need (e.g. speakers, microphone for you, your device or assistant, table for your display etc.)

Ask:

• How much time is allocated for questions?
• What question format will be used? (e.g. Yes and No questions, write down questions and email address for later or respond after the presentation)

• Stay on topic
• Make it personal. People want to hear about and from you
• Try starting with a personal story as it helps grab people's attention
• If you can, show some photos or video clips

• Use humor, but make sure it is appropriate for the audience and not offensive to others.
• Ask questions to get people thinking.

• There are 440,000 people in Canada who have speech and language disabilities
• Some of us have cerebral palsy, autism, traumatic brain injury, developmental delay, stroke, multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's Disease
• Most people who have communication disabilities do not have difficulty hearing
• Everyone is different

• Some people have difficulty speaking. Their speech may be unclear or they may have no speech
• Some people have difficulty understanding what others are saying

• Not being able to speak does not mean you can't think, make your own decisions or that you have a cognitive disability
• Most people can be effective communicators if they have appropriate communication systems

• Many people use augmentative and alternative communication or AAC
• AAC includes body language, gestures, voice, pointing to pictures, symbols or letters or using devices
• AAC systems are customized for each individual
• Some people rely on human assistance to support them communicating with others
• Not everyone chooses to use a communication device to communicate in all situations

• In addition to your personal stories, you may want to share some resources
• Check out CDAC videos that you can show. You can find them on our website.
• You can print off copies of the communication symbol, as well as communication tips on our website.
• Tell people to take the CDAC e-learning modules on our website to learn more about communicating with people who use AAC.

• Program your presentation ahead of time
• Use short sentences and insert lots of commas for pauses
• Check pronunciation of words before the presentation

• Time your speech to make sure it is not too long or too short
• It is a good idea to have the text of your presentation show on a screen so the audience can listen and read what you are saying

• Introduce your assistant and tell the audience that he or she is going to read your speech
• Pick an assistant with a clear speaking voice
• Ask people to direct questions to you, not to your assistant

• A second battery for your device (if you have one)
• An extension cord (if you need to charge your device)
• A backup of your speech on a memory card

• A paper copy of your presentation (people who have a hearing loss will appreciate this and you can have someone read it if you have technical difficulties)

• Make eye contact with your audience
• Take short pauses to ask questions such as: "Have any of you ever experienced that?"

• Make sure you remind the audience that your opinions are personal and may not be those of everyone who has a communication disability