My employment experiences as a AAC user 

Jill Clark

@ToiletWoman1 

Hello, my name is Jill and I have Cerebral Palsy which affects my speech therefore I am a Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) user.  I use a communication device called Accent 100. I use a programme called LLL and I use a tracker dot to access my programme on my device. The dot is on my head, it is like infrared.

I work for “BBC The Social” where I write scripts and make videos. I really enjoy working. It keeps me really busy which I like. 

I found it quite easy to get a job as an AAC user as I always make it clear to everyone that I use a communication device to communicate.

At a job interview I always make sure that my communication device is turned up. If employers don’t really know how to communicate with me I say “This is my communication device. I use it to help me talk, so talk to me as normal and please give me time to get what I want to say together.”   

These days a lot of interviews are on Zoom or other type of video calls. Even although I can do a video call on my communication device I would rather have a face to face interview because I think it is easier for everyone if you are in person. My interview for “BBC The Social” was in person as I chose this to make it easier for myself and the people at “BBC The Social”.

When I  started at “BBC The Social”, again I made it clear that I need more time to work on a script because I am not just writing it. I need to programme it in to my communication device too and that takes time to do. 

Over all it is easy to work as a AAC user as I always try my best to communicate with everyone as much I can.

Watch one of Jill’s “BBC The Social” videos by clicking BBC Scotland – The Social – How to chat with someone who uses a communication device