AACCENT Act

The AACCENT Act would establish a national network of three resource centers to improve access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools and services for approximately 4 million Americans with significant expressive communication disabilities. The law would fund nonprofit partnerships through grants to create these centers, requiring that they include people with communication disabilities in leadership roles through an advisory council. These centers would provide training, technical assistance, and resources to educators, healthcare providers, employers, and families to help individuals with communication disabilities participate fully in education, employment, and community life. The centers would also collect data to address disparities in access to AAC services, particularly for people from racial and ethnic minority communities. The bill authorizes $9 million annually for five years to support this initiative.