AAC Lab Brings Assistive Communication Tools to Life at Maxwell Elementary STEM Night

On Sept. 18, 2025, students from the University of Kentucky’s All About Communication (AAC) Lab, part of the College of Health Sciences, participated in the Maxwell Elementary School STEM Night, an event that welcomed more than 600 students and their families from the local community.

The AAC Lab, which focuses on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), introduced families to various assistive communication devices and tools designed to support individuals with limited speech or motor abilities. Attendees had the opportunity to explore adapted toys, eye gaze communication boards, and AAC apps on iPads — all designed and developed by students in the lab.

“The Maxwell Elementary STEM night with our AAC lab gave me the opportunity to see some of my passions tie together,” said Gracee Spears, a senior Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) major from Franklin, Ky. “Seeing the students’ faces light up when they got to play with the adapted toys or use the eye gaze boards and AAC iPad apps was so rewarding!”

The event was a unique opportunity for students in the AAC Lab to connect their academic training to meaningful, real-world engagement. It also served as a platform to educate the public about how communication can take many forms beyond spoken language.

“The event helped me to understand the importance of community engagement and promoting accessibility across generations,” said Ashley Adams, a senior Kinesiology (Pre-Physical Therapy) major from Grand Rivers, Ky.

Students guided children and their families through the use of AAC technologies, highlighting the role these tools play in creating more inclusive and accessible environments for individuals with disabilities.

“It was amazing to see the devices and tools we work on in the lab come to life in an environment where kids could play with them and learn more about AAC,” said Emily Rouff, a senior CSD major from Cincinnati.

For many AAC Lab members, the event was both a service and a learning experience.

“Watching kids light up as they tried out the toys and understood how they make communication and play more accessible was such a powerful reminder of why our work matters,” said Haley Deegan, senior CSD major from Wilder, Ky.

“Every child deserves to communicate and play in ways that mold to their own needs,” added Ginny Spalding, a senior CSD major from Bardstown, Ky. “To see the success of our hand-made creations fulfill that while educating young minds meant the world to me.”

Other student participants echoed these sentiments, underscoring the importance of outreach and education.

“Seeing the impact of what our lab does in the local community means so much to me,” said Reilly Watson, senior CSD major from Gallatin, Tenn.

“Kids seeing these devices in a more casual setting allows them to be more engaged and build deeper connections in everyday life,” said Avery Peltcs, a junior Human Health Sciences (Pre-PT) major from Columbus, Ohio.

By fostering awareness around AAC tools and their importance, the event helped strengthen the relationship between the University of Kentucky and the Lexington community, while inspiring the next generation to think critically about inclusion, accessibility, and the many ways people communicate, they said.

For more information about the AAC Lab or the College of Health Sciences, visit: https://www.uky.edu/chs/