Translanguaging in AACtion: An Expansive Approach to Multimodal Communication With Augmentative and Alternative Communication Users

Purpose: The purpose of this framework is to challenge the deficit perspectives toward multimodal communication and to encourage speech therapists and classroom teachers to apply educational justice and equity practices with modally marginalized individuals in education and clinical practice. Method: We summarize contemporary challenges in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) as a practice area and integrate translanguaging and crip linguistics literature to propose a novel framework: Translanguaging in AACtion. Results: The authors propose the Translanguaging in AACtion framework to provide a praxis for engaging with and supporting all language users in and beyond the classroom by rethinking service delivery, supporting reciprocal engagement, and letting students language. The Translanguaging in AACtion framework guides speech therapists toward supporting disabled nonspeaking individuals to use their full-bodied semiotics (modes, languages, and dialects) in every setting, with every person, in every situation. Conclusions: This work highlights the languaging practices of (dis)abled, nonspeaking language users. Next steps are suggested to support speech therapists and classroom teachers with rethinking their praxis, with a focus on AACtion.