Mission, Vision, Values

The Northwest Augmentative Communication Society (NWACS) is a non-profit, all volunteer organization dedicated to enhancing the communication effectiveness of persons who can benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).

MISSION

  1. Raise awareness of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) locally, nationally, and internationally.

  2. Improve access to necessary assistive technology for individuals with communication challenges locally, nationally, and internationally.

BELIEFS

We believe communication is a basic human right.

Statement from NWACS on Remarks by RFK Jr.

NWACS believes every person has value, no matter how they communicate or think. We ask public leaders to stop spreading harmful ideas and to treat all people with fairness and respect. Read our full response to the comments Robert F. Kennedy Jr made about autistic people in April 2025.

NWACS is a scientific- and evidence-driven organization. We support the joint statement released by leading autism organizations.

VISION

We envision a world in which people are heard and valued equitably --- a world of true inclusion.

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

The annual Message From The Board offers reflections and updates from the past year and our vision and intentions for NWACS in the current year.

VALUES

Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity, Education, & Equity 

NWACS celebrates diversity and inclusion. We recognize that the fields governing AAC - healthcare and education - have legacies of discrimination and exclusion. Unfortunately, these systemic inequities continue.

We oppose discrimination based on any part of a person's identity, including:

  • disability,

  • neurodivergence,

  • gender identity or expression,

  • sexual orientation,

  • race,

  • ethnicity,

  • socioeconomic status,

  • age,

  • religion, or

  • citizenship.

We know that representation matters. Having perspectives that represent the AAC users, caregivers, and providers of our community will allow our work to be the best it can be. The NWACS Board welcomes feedback from our community on how we can do better.

GOALS

We believe in the goals of the United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC), a chapter of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC). We are striving to achieve those goals in our local community.