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Communication is at the heart of successful employment, but for many individuals, traditional speech is not always the most reliable or accessible way to communicate. In this practical and engaging training, you will explore how Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) can open the door to clearer communication, stronger workplace relationships, and greater independence.
Building on foundational AAC knowledge, this session focuses on real-world strategies you can use right away. You will learn how to move beyond common myths, recognize communication gaps that impact job success, and apply the Four P’s, Present, Personalized, Persistent, and Patient, to create meaningful, person-centered supports.
Through relatable examples and workplace scenarios, you will walk away with concrete tools to help individuals express needs, participate in conversations, advocate for themselves, and fully engage in their work environments. Whether you are supporting someone who is nonspeaking, minimally speaking, or inconsistently able to use speech, this training will help you better understand how to meet them where they are and support communication in ways that truly work.
Objectives
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Describe key AAC concepts, challenge common myths, and explain why access to communication is a right.
- Apply the Four P’s of AAC support—Present, Personalized, Persistent, and Patient—to workplace communication and job coaching practices.
- Identify practical strategies that support effective AAC use on the job, including modeling, wait time, personalization, backup supports, and communication partner training.
- Use respectful, autonomy-supportive AAC practices by honoring multiple communication modalities, using least intrusive prompting, and avoiding overprompting or hand-over-hand guidance.
About the presenter:
Melanie Derry, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a licensed speech-language pathologist and training specialist with expertise in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and workplace communication supports. She is affiliated with Virginia Commonwealth University and contributes to training and technical assistance efforts that support individuals with complex communication needs across employment settings.
Melanie’s work focuses on helping professionals move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches by developing practical, individualized communication strategies that promote independence, connection, and inclusion. She brings a strong emphasis on real-world application, supporting job coaches, service providers, and teams in building environments where communication is accessible, respected, and embedded into everyday interactions.
With a background in both clinical practice and workforce development, Melanie is passionate about bridging the gap between communication supports and meaningful employment outcomes. Her trainings highlight the importance of communication as a fundamental right and equip participants with actionable tools to support individuals in expressing themselves, at work and beyond.
