By: Lyle Bahe, PRC-Saltillo Blogger
What does it mean to be included to you?
Lyle: It means I can talk to people and I can work. It means people care about me and what I have to say. I have good thoughts and opinions. When people talk about me to each other and don't keep me in the conversation, I get mad and frustrated. I wish I could do it to them so they know how it feels.
How did your AAC device help you to be a part of a group like school groups – sports, theatre, club, volunteer, member of a religious entity, part of the community services like a firehouse or chamber of commerce?
Lyle: At school, it allowed me to talk in the classroom and helped me study. It was not an easy transition to having an AAC device in the school setting. Learning the device and icons was hard and figuring out the eye gaze.
What did this device allow you to do that you couldn't have done without it?
Lyle: With my device, I can advocate for myself and have conversations with peers. My AAC device gave me the ability to take a Transition to Employment class where I was able to write a resume and I was able to express what jobs I wanted. When I worked at a market, I was able to interact with customers, answer questions, and take inventory.
When you’re included in a conversation, or as part of a group, how does that make you feel?
Lyle: I like to talk to work people. When I am included, I feel good. If I don't know how to say something, word not in device, I search for picture on the internet. I like having conversations with other people. Not finding a word I want is frustrating, I cant add it by myself. I like when I am not interrupted, and it's okay to read what I am saying on my device. I don't like people reading what I am doing or saying if I am not talking to them. I don't like when people talk about me to people in front of me, I can talk, I like talking- that's not including me.
Communicators In Action - AAC, inclusion