This brief fact sheet examines key aspects of communication, communication disabilities, and intervention. The fact sheet addresses the following questions: the nature of communication; communication disabilities (definitions of hearing impairments and speech and language impairments are given); effects of communication disabilities (factors affecting difficulty level); communication barriers (physical/environmental factors, attitudinal and behavioral factors); ways to improve communication (e.g., maximize, supplement, or simplify information); types of communication aids and services available (both personally prescribed devices and other devices or services); and suggestions for effective communication (e.g., ask the person with the disability about their needs and evaluate the accuracy and rate of information transfer and emotional reactions). (DB)