Ciencias

ISAAC 2010 Extended Abstracts © 2010, International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication ISBN 978-0-9684186-9-7

ISAAC 2010 Printed on Fri 3 September 10 at 10:53:40

Paper ref. P116

Speaker Ms Miryam Pelosi

Paper THE PATH OF AAC IN BRAZIL (RIO DE JANEIRO) AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS PROVIDE BY THE CANADIAN (ONTARIO) EXPERIENCE

Authors Type: Theme Poster Presentation RESEA

Affiliates

Final paper:

Canada has given many important contributions to the field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Blissymbolics was first used in 1971 as a way to enhance communication of children with severe physical disabilities at the Ontario Crippled Children’s Centre (currently called Bloorview Kids Rehab) in Toronto. In 1975, AAC was implemented in clinical setting. In 1983, the International Society of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) was created. These and many more accomplishments promoted the dissemination of AAC in the world. Brazil is no different from many other countries that has been benefiting from the Canadian AAC experience. This research paper presents a summary of the path that AAC took in Brazil (primarily in Rio de Janeiro); reports on current educational and clinical aspects of AAC; and explores option for future direction based on AAC policies in Ontario, Canada. Canada has often been present in the history of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in Brazil. It started in the late 70’s when Blissymbol was introduced at the Educational Association Quero-Quero, in São Paulo, Brazil (Nunes, 2007). It was then enhanced when in 1980, Nadia Browning (originally from Rio de Janeiro) became the first official Blissymbol trainer in Brazil and started training professionals and families all around the country. The spreading of information takes a long time. For many years the work of the AAC was being done by small group of professionals working in clinics and rehabilitation centers in major cities