About CTEC

The mission of the Communication Technology Education Center (CTEC) is to connect people of all abilities through AAC, so that they can give voice to their own journey.

CTEC will serve individuals in the counties of Sacramento, Yolo, Alpine, Colusa, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sierra, Sutter and Yuba.

CTEC's program priorities are:

• Initiation of a focus on AAC assistive technology
• Establishment of higher standards and expectations for individuals with disabilities in our region for whom "not being able to talk does not mean you have nothing to say."

CTEC's guiding principles are:

• Technology creates opportunities for participation with and contribution to society.
1. With communication comes power and connectivity.
2. With rights come responsibilities.
3. With education comes freedom and choice.
• Individuals take ownership of their own journey.

CTEC's approach to the AAC assessment and training process is based on these beliefs and practices:

• Self-Direction

  The person who will be using AAC leads the process; the team learns to follow this lead.

• Research-based and Evidence-Based practice

  CTEC integrates empirical and clinical expertise with current research in best practice.

• Teamwork

  The core CTEC team includes Speech-Language Pathologist, Mentor AAC User, Family & Training Coordinator, and Assistive Technology Specialist. The AAC user's team joins the CTEC team to learn how to provide support.

• No Prerequisite Skills

  CTEC uses a broad exploration of AAC options, as opposed to a step-by-step hierarchy. There are no prerequisites to being able to benefit from AAC technology.

• Criterion of the Least Dangerous Assumption

  "When we cannot be sure because we have too little information, we should base our efforts on assumptions which, if wrong, will have the least dangerous effects on outcomes." -Anne Donnelan