The Pennsylvania State University Augmentative and Alternative Communication Mentor Project

Penn State AAC Mentor Project - Sharing the Knowledge of AAC Users

About This Site

Establishing a Mentor Project

Outcomes

Further Information

Conclusion

The Penn State AAC Mentor Project clearly illustrates the critical role that mentors can play in supporting adolescents and young adults with disabilities. Mentors can provide
Positive role models Shared experiences Collaborative problem solving Guidance in goal setting Access to disability-related information and resources, and Encouragement
The more than 60 mentors and protégés who participated in the project spoke positively of the many benefits of a mentoring program for individuals who use AAC. Michael Williams, a disability-advocate and an expert user of augmentative communication, said it best:

There is no limit to the kinds of things a person who relies on AAC might want a mentor for... strategies for independent living, relationship development, employment issues, education issues, self advocacy, personal assistant management, psychosocial issues, communication skill development, life goal planning. ... Each transition can be smoother with the help of a mentor. Falling in love, starting a new school, starting a new job, changing communities or homes, mastering a skill, learning a new piece of assistive technology – all are easier and more fun if the experience can be shared with and guided by someone who has "been there".

The Penn State AAC Mentor Project is funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) Grant #H133G8004. The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research and no official endorsement should be inferred.