The National AAC Peer Support Network

A project led by the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU UCEDD)

A screenshot from the February 2025 AAC User Meeting on Zoom.

In 2024-2025, the AAC Peer Support Project explored peer support in the U.S.

We learned that AAC users want more peer support.

Unfortunately, it isn't always easy to find.

Now we're building the National AAC Peer Support Network

We have built a nationwide coalition of passionate individuals and organizations that are helping to shape the future of the network.

Together, we'll create a national resource that helps people access individualized AAC and Peer Support based on their preferences and needs.

We're committed to accessibility, inclusivity, and equity.

AAC users co-lead the project and make decisions every step of the way.
Participants receive support and training to succeed.
Participants are recognized and paid for their work.

Some of the things we're working on:

Building a Hub - an online space dedicated to AAC peer support
Creating an AAC peer support directory
Sharing toolkits and guides
Offering training and technical assistance

Want to learn more?

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This graphic shows peer support components modeled in the shape of a tree. The trunk is AAC peer support. The roots are the core values of peer support. The branches are the different peer support models, approaches, activities, and projects. The leaves are the different experiences that happen in peer support. The seeds (or fruit) are the outcomes of peer support, which are planted and spread more peer support. The forest with many other trees is like our communities, which include all different kinds of support. The environment around the tree is like our society.

This image shows what makes up AAC Peer Support in the shape of a tree. It was developed by members of the AAC Peer Support Project.

A graphical display of word frequency that emphasizes words that appeared more times in the survey. Some of the words that were submitted most frequently include trust, respect, friendship, empowerment, community, honoring everyone, no judgement, shared experience, having each other's backs, reciprocal, camaraderie, and learning from each other.

This image shows word cloud results of an AAC Peer Support Project survey that asked, "What words come to mind when you think of peer support?" The more times a word was chosen, the bigger it is shown in the cloud. The biggest words are trust, respect, empowerment, and friendship.

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