| Personal Passports
What is a personal passport?
A personal passport is information that an AAC user wants to share about
him or herself with a person who does not know them. The passport gives
the person some information about the AAC user, how the AAC user communicates
and what to do in cases of emergency.
Why are personal passports useful for AAC users?
Participants in the Speak Up Project report that they often have difficulty
communicating with medical professionals because doctors and nurses may
not know how they communicate. Lack of communication compromises their
access to health and other services. One AAC user has reported positive
results from using a personal passport to convey key information in such
situations.
Where do you keep a personal passport?
Personal passports can be made on cards, or as brochures. They can be
kept in a wallet or purse, in a communication display or folded and held
in a pocket on the side of a device. Passports should be personalized
and easy to read.
It is important that the AAC user is able to direct the person either
by pointing or looking towards the passport.
What information should be put on a personal passport?
Personal passports contain information that an AAC user wants to provide
to people in order to make communication easier.
A personal passport might contain:
- Biographical Information
- How the person communicates
- Important things to know about communicating with the passport holder
- Instructions for providing assistance on most frequent requests.
- What to do when there is a problem with a wheelchair and / or communication
device
- Transportation and Appointment plans
- Essential and frequently requested health information (for clinic
visits). Due to the confidential nature of this information it should
be kept on a separate card.
For security reasons passports should not contain any security
information that could potentially be used to exploit the AAC user.
Samples:
* Note: You will need Microsoft Word to view and edit this
document.
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