by Herbert Fulton, PRC-Saltillo Ambassador
March 1st marks the National Day of Unplugging, a day to step away from screens and technology for a while. For most people, that might mean putting down their phone or turning off their laptop. But for those of us who rely on AAC devices to communicate, unplugging isn’t so simple. If I step away from my device, how do I communicate? And why do some people react negatively when I use other methods?
It’s funny, really. Ever since I got my AAC device, I’ve been told to always keep it plugged in. “Make sure it’s charged! You don’t want to lose your voice!” And now, here I am, writing about unplugging. The irony is not lost on me. I was taught to plug in so I could communicate—now, I’m expected to unplug? Talk about mixed signals!
When I was a kid, before my AAC device became my main communication tool, I used my hands—gestures, facial expressions, even some sign language. It worked just fine. But as I got older, people started expecting me to rely on my device 24/7. If I signed or gestured instead, I’d hear things like, “Use your talker,” or I’d get frustrated looks, as if I were breaking some unwritten rule of AAC use.
Part of the reason I saw my AAC device differently than others did was because of school. At school, they pushed me to do my schoolwork on my AAC device, so I saw it more as a tool for school than as my actual voice. It became something I had to use for assignments rather than something I naturally turned to for communication. So, when I preferred using my hands outside of class, it wasn’t because I didn’t want to use my voice—it was because I never really got to see my device as my voice in the first place. But here’s the thing—communication isn’t just about technology. It’s about connection, expression, and understanding. My AAC device is amazing, but sometimes I just want a break from it, just like anyone wants a break from their phone. And sometimes, using my hands is just easier! If waving my arms or making a face gets the point across faster than typing it out, why not use what works?
Unplugging from my device doesn’t mean I’m unplugging from communication. It means embracing all the ways I express myself—gestures, body language, even good old-fashioned pen and paper. The people around me should respect that and adapt, just like I adapt to different communication styles all the time.
So, this National Day of Unplugging, I challenge everyone—AAC users and non-AAC users alike—to think about what communication really means. It’s not about the method; it’s about the message. And sometimes, the best way to listen is to meet people where they are—whether they’re using a device, their hands, or whatever helps them be heard.
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