Why do people who use AAC need vocabulary about sexuality and abuse?

People with disabilities experience two to more than five times greater risk of sexual assault than people without disabilities. Abusers are most often known to their victims and are in positions of trust and authority. Abusers may be caregivers, attendants, family members, drivers, teachers (Sobsey, 1994).

People who use AAC are vulnerable to sexual assault because they may have limited communication skills and limited experience in exercising their personal rights and assertive behavior. Many AAC users who have physical disabilities require assistance with daily living tasks that brings them into contact with many different service providers throughout the day and thus increases their vulnerability for abuse.

Traditionally, AAC systems have not included vocabulary on healthy sexuality or abuse. A person who cannot communicate what has happened cannot report a crime, access the judicial system or get help. The abuser may see AAC users as the best victims as the abuse may believe that he/she will get away with the assault (Farrar, 1996).

People who use AAC and who cannot point to letters of the alphabet to spell out the words they need, can often use pictures, whole printed words or symbols to communicate. Most people who use AAC need to rely on another person to put these pictures and symbols on their displays or into their devices (although some of the newer devices give AAC users this option). People who use AAC often find that they do not have the vocabulary they need in order to communicate. This is especially the case about sexually related vocabulary and words to do with sexual abuse.

Vocabulary about healthy sexuality allows a person who is an AAC user to communicate about, question, and understand healthy sexuality. Knowing about healthy sexuality helps to identify and stop sexual assault (Farrar 1996).

The vocabulary pages developed by Speak Up are intended for people who have their AAC systems (communication displays or devices) in place, who want to learn about, and communicate about sexuality and /or sexual abuse.

The vocabulary can be used to:

• Complement a sexual health education program for children, youth and adults. It is important that people who use AAC have the vocabulary in order to ask questions and discuss these issues.
• Communicate about sex and sexual matters within the context of the person's life.
• Negotiate safer sex with a partner.
• Report and disclose incidents of sexual abuse.
• Discuss and learn about legal procedures.
• Participate in counseling sessions about sexual abuse.