Mapo District Launches Nationwide First 'AAC' (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Awareness Campaign

Relay Campaign for AAC Awareness Spreads from Mayor Yoo Donggyun to the Community via Social Media
Downloadable to Smartphones and Usable in Libraries, Welfare Centers, and Supermarkets

[Asia Economy, reporter Park Jongil] The relay campaign to promote the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) system, first initiated by Mapo District Mayor Yoo Donggyun on October 5, is now expanding throughout the entire Mapo District.

AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), which was first introduced in Mapo District in 2018 as a nationwide first, is a communication support tool that enables people who have difficulty expressing themselves verbally to communicate using facial expressions, gestures, sign language, photos, pictures, or letters.

Because it 'augments' or 'replaces' speech, it is called 'augmentative and alternative communication.' It is mainly used by people with hearing, developmental, or brain lesions disabilities, as well as seniors and foreigners who have difficulty communicating.

The Mapo District AAC Zone, which was first installed and operated at the Seongsan 1-dong Community Service Center, has since expanded to a total of 79 public facilities in the area, including libraries, police substations, and welfare centers, as well as some restaurants, convenience stores, and supermarkets.

In recognition of October as International AAC Awareness Month, the district is currently conducting the 'AAC Awareness Relay Campaign' to raise public awareness of AAC and to spread communication methods that utilize it.

On October 5, Mapo District Mayor Yoo Donggyun took the lead in the first AAC Awareness Relay Campaign via Facebook. Since then, the relay has continued with participation from local figures such as Mapo District Council members Kim Jinchun and Chae Woojin, Seongsan Comprehensive Social Welfare Center Director Shim Jeongwon, and Sisowa Geune Director Lim Myeongyeon.

The campaign involves posting a slogan verification photo for AAC use, an explanatory AAC card news, and essential hashtags (#AAC #AugmentativeAndAlternativeCommunication #InternationalAACAwarenessMonth #AACaware20) on personal social media accounts, and nominating three additional individuals to continue the relay.

The language therapy center 'People and Communication' (Director Han Seonkyung), located in Mapo District, collaborated with the Seongsan 1-dong Community Service Center in 2018 to create the nation's first AAC system, which anyone can download and use via a smartphone QR code. On smartphones, users can click on their desired expression and receive voice support.

Mayor Yoo Donggyun stated, "We are establishing AAC zones so that residents who have difficulty expressing themselves verbally can independently visit government offices, welfare centers, supermarkets, and more. Going forward, we plan to expand AAC zone facilities to post offices, hospitals, pharmacies, and banks, gradually increasing the areas where AAC is available."