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Bringing AAC Expertise to Spetses: NISSIMOU Welcomes LES RAACONTEUSES

Sep 18
3 min read

Meaningful inclusion begins when people have access to the tools, knowledge and support they need to communicate.

For individuals who do not communicate through oral speech, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) opens new opportunities for expression, connection and participation in everyday life.


In July 2026, NISSIMOU welcomed Mrs. Aline Ledoux, a specialist educator from Metz, France, and founder of the non-profit organisation LES RAACONTEUSES, to Spetses for a week of hands-on AAC immersion sessions.

Her visit marked an important step in a collaboration that began remotely several months earlier, bringing valuable expertise and practical communication resources to the island.


Child using a blue AAC communication tablet with an on-screen keyboard, alongside a communication board and playing cards.

A Connection That Began Beyond Spetses

LES RAACONTEUSES is a French non-profit organization dedicated to:

  • promoting Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

  • helping people who do not communicate through oral speech express themselves, connect with others and participate more fully in their lives and communities.


The collaboration began in April 2026, when Aline started working remotely with Athina, whose communication needs and hidden disabilities linked to her BPAN genetic disease, make AAC an important approach to explore.


AAC encompasses a range of methods and tools, including:

  • Makaton hand gestures and signs

  • Picture-based communication boards

  • Digital communication devices such as a communication tablet


These tools can support or replace spoken communication when needed, depending on each person's individual needs.

What began as personalised support soon developed into an opportunity to share knowledge and practical experience with the NISSIMOU therapists’ team.



From Remote Support to Hands-On Training

In July, Aline travelled to Spetses to provide daily, in-person AAC training sessions and her contribution brought together two valuable perspectives:


  • Professional expertise: As a specialist educator, Aline shared practical knowledge about supporting communication through AAC in the everyday life.

  • Personal experience: As the mother of a 14-year-old daughter with communication needs similar to Athina's, who began using AAC at the age of eight, she also brought first-hand experience of introducing these tools into everyday family life.


The sessions were attended by Arianna and Maria, both therapists at NISSIMOU, creating an opportunity for shared learning and professional exchange.

Their participation was particularly valuable, helping to extend the knowledge gained beyond the initial collaboration and strengthen the team's understanding of AAC approaches.


Sharing Knowledge, Supporting Families

During her visit, Aline also spent time at the NISSIMOU centre and generously donated AAC tools and communication boards to the organization.

These resources are a valuable addition to the centre, supporting its efforts to make different forms of communication accessible to the community.

The collaboration illustrates the importance of connecting families, professionals and organisations across borders. Sharing experience and practical knowledge can help local teams develop their skills and explore new ways to support children and families with diverse communication needs.

For an island community such as Spetses, access to specialised expertise and resources can make a meaningful difference.


Woman displaying a large picture-based AAC communication board during a visit to Spetses.

Building a More Inclusive Island

At NISSIMOU, inclusion means recognizing that every person has different needs, abilities and ways of communicating — and working to ensure that these differences do not become barriers to participation.

The collaboration with LES RAACONTEUSES reflects this commitment: bringing specialised knowledge to Spetses and overall, Greece, strengthening local professional capacity and expanding the resources available to support families.

It is also a reminder that meaningful change often begins with connection, between families, professionals and communities willing to learn from one another.


By sharing knowledge and making communication more accessible, we take another step towards building an island where everyone has the opportunity to connect, participate and belong.


Discover NISSIMOU's Work

Learn more about NISSIMOU's services and its commitment to supporting children and families on Spetses.

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