To enact section 5.63 of the Revised Code to designate October as "Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month."
Summary
HB766 would add a new section to the Ohio Revised Code designating the month of October as “Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month.” The bill is a simple commemorative measure and does not create a regulatory program, funding mechanism, or enforcement provision. Its purpose is to formally recognize AAC and encourage public awareness of communication methods used by people who cannot rely on speech alone.
AAC refers to tools and strategies such as communication boards, speech-generating devices, symbols, and other assistive technologies that help individuals communicate. By placing this designation in statute, the bill would give the state an official annual observance tied to disability awareness and communication access.
Impact
The bill would amend Ohio law by enacting section 5.63 of the Revised Code and adding October as a state-designated awareness month. It would not directly alter benefits, eligibility rules, or agency duties, but it would place AAC alongside other statutorily recognized awareness observances and could be used by schools, disability advocates, healthcare providers, and state agencies to promote educational activities and outreach.
Sentiment
The available context suggests a neutral to supportive posture toward the bill. Because the measure is a straightforward awareness designation and there are no recorded committee transcripts or votes showing opposition, there is no evidence of substantive controversy in the materials provided. The bill appears to have been introduced as a recognition measure rather than a policy change, which typically draws limited debate.
Contention
No specific points of contention are reflected in the bill text, committee materials, or voting history provided. If any concerns were to arise, they would likely center on whether a commemorative designation has practical value or whether the state should prioritize more substantive disability-access legislation, but those objections are not documented in the available record. The bill’s sponsors and cosponsors appear to support the measure as a public-awareness resolution in statutory form.