H.R. 10333: Augmentative and Alternative Communication Centers of Excellence and National Technical Assistance Act

This bill would create a new federal grant program to set up and run three national resource centers focused on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), which means tools and methods that help people communicate when speech is difficult or not possible.

What the centers would do

The Department of Health and Human Services would award three 5-year grants to eligible nonprofit-led partnerships. The three centers would be located in different parts of the country, and one would serve as the lead administrative center.

These centers would provide national training, technical assistance, and information about AAC for people with significant expressive communication disabilities, as well as for families, educators, health care providers, employers, government agencies, and other groups.

Who the bill is aimed at

The bill defines the target population as people of any age who have disabilities that prevent or significantly limit their ability to understand or be understood using spoken words, and who need or benefit from AAC. The bill says this can include disabilities that are congenital, developmental, or acquired later in life.

Main activities the centers would carry out

• Help increase access to the full range of AAC tools, services, and supports.
• Provide evidence-based training, resources, and technical assistance.
• Help schools, families, professionals, and support providers better use AAC.
• Promote awareness of laws, policies, and practices that affect communication access.
• Support self-advocacy and leadership by people who use AAC.
• Improve collection and sharing of data about the population and its unmet needs.
• Increase public awareness about the importance of effective communication access.

How the grants would work

The Secretary would award the three grants through open competition. The total amount for all three centers would be capped at $9 million per year to the extent practicable. Each grant would last 5 years, and grantees could apply again at the end of the period.

The bill also limits administrative costs: a center could use no more than 15% of its funds for administration.

Who could apply

Eligible applicants would have to be partnerships of at least two organizations. The lead partner would need to be a U.S.-based nonprofit that gives people with significant expressive communication disabilities real decision-making power in management, staffing, and operations. The partnership would also need to include at least one additional U.S.-based organization such as a college or a professional association in the field.

Applications would need to describe experience in training and support, plans for outreach, how people with communication disabilities would be involved in governance, and how materials would be made accessible, including in plain language.

Oversight and reporting

Each center would have an advisory council made up entirely of people with significant expressive communication disabilities. The lead center would coordinate annual reporting on activities, collaborations, barriers to access, data gaps, and unmet needs, and submit the report to federal officials and relevant congressional committees.

Funding authorization

The bill authorizes $9 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out the program.

Relevant Companies

None found