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V‑SAP

A Visual-Symbolic Advocacy Protocol for AAC-Friendly Advocacy

Designed by and for non-speaking and AAC-using learners

"Prioritising agency over compliance, co-regulation over behavioural control, and building symbolic fluency in learners often excluded from traditional advocacy frameworks"

Publication Details

This resource introduces V‑SAP, a visual-symbolic advocacy protocol designed within the Strategic Self-Advocacy™ infrastructure.

V‑SAP: A Visual-Symbolic Advocacy Protocol for AAC-Friendly Advocacy

This comprehensive package includes interactive flashcards, visual rights explainer, game-based symbol glossary, AAC-compatible scaffolds, and complete design philosophy with visual glossary.

Creator & Contributors

Creator:
Sarah Ailish McLoughlin
Project Leader:
Sarah Ailish McLoughlin
Publisher:
The Index Line
Year:
2025

What's Included in V-SAP

🎴

Interactive Flashcards

Visual communication cards designed for AAC users to express needs and rights.

📖

Visual Rights Explainer

Accessible breakdown of rights using visual and symbolic communication methods.

🎮

Game-Based Symbol Glossary

Engaging, game-based approach to learning advocacy symbols and their meanings.

🏗️

AAC-Compatible Scaffolds

Supportive frameworks designed specifically for AAC device integration.

🎨

Design Philosophy

Complete visual glossary and theoretical framework for the V-SAP approach.

Core Design Principles

Agency over Compliance

Empowering learner autonomy and self-determination

Co-regulation over Control

Supportive emotional regulation rather than behavioral management

Symbolic Fluency Building

Developing communication skills for excluded learners

Key Features

How V-SAP transforms advocacy for non-speaking and AAC-using learners

AAC-First Design

Built from the ground up for augmentative and alternative communication users.

Consent-First Approach

Prioritizes informed consent and autonomous decision-making in all interactions.

System Navigation

Provides tools for navigating educational and healthcare systems effectively.

Symbolic Communication

Supports diverse communication methods through visual symbols and AAC integration.

Game-Based Learning

Engaging, interactive approach to building advocacy skills and understanding.

Community-Driven

Developed by and for the AAC community with lived experience at its core.

Building Inclusive Advocacy

V-SAP addresses critical gaps in traditional advocacy frameworks by centering non-speaking voices

For Learners

Builds self-advocacy skills, develops communication confidence, and fosters autonomy in decision-making.

For Educators

Provides accessible tools for supporting student agency and implementing inclusive advocacy practices.

For Systems

Transforms institutional approaches to accessibility and consent in educational and healthcare settings.

Designed with love, by the community, for the community

Citation: McLoughlin, S. A. (2025). V‑SAP: A Visual-Symbolic Advocacy Protocol for AAC-Friendly Advocacy. The Index Line. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16759252