From Presence to Participation: Designing Accessible Online Sessions for Children and Young People Who Use AAC

As telehealth, online learning and home-based support become more common, many children and young people with additional support needs who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) or alternative access are still expected to participate through platforms designed around speech, rapid turn-taking and hand-based interaction. This can separate communication from the session itself, increase reliance on supporters, and make it harder for children and young people to take part directly. In this webinar, Joshua Aarons and Gabriel Ralph will use a live demonstration of Squidly to explore what communication access can look like when online sessions are designed more inclusively. They will show how simple joining, eye-gaze, switch and touch access, built-in communication supports, shared control and interactive materials can support participation across therapy, learning and home-based support. The session will also highlight practical design considerations around engagement, pacing, autonomy, supporter involvement and session flow, helping attendees think about what to look for when planning more accessible online provision. It will be relevant to teachers, therapists, assistive technology practitioners and families.

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