AAC Institute Update!
*** The AAC Institute is a 501c3 not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to the most effective communication for people who rely on AAC (augmentative and alternative communication). One service of the AAC Institute is to provide periodic announcements of interest to those involved in the field of AAC. Approximate average frequency of messages is one per one to two months. If you wish to be removed from the AAC Institute announcement list, simply reply with a message to that effect. ***
This update has seven (7) items. Please forward to others with an interest in AAC. Others can register for email updates at the AAC Institute web site.
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1) ASHA CEUs and AAC Institute at Closing
The Gap Conference
The upcoming Closing The Gap Conference (October 21-23;
Bloomington, MN) has a number of program sessions of interest to speech-language
pathologists, audiologists, and others working in AAC, language development,
literacy, and related areas. The conference offers opportunities for obtaining
ASHA CEUs at no cost. For additional information on the conference, go to www.closingthegap.com.
AAC Institute is approved by the Continuing Education Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to provide continuing education activities in speech-language pathology and audiology. This program is offered for up to 2.0 CEUs (Intermediate level; Professional area). ASHA CE Provider approval does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.
| AAC Institute is approved by the Continuing Education Board of the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to provide continuing education
activities in speech-language pathology and audiology. This program is offered
for up to 2.0 CEUs (Intermediate level; Professional area). ASHA CE Provider
approval does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products,
or clinical procedures. |
 |
Please stop by the AAC Institute booth (#279) in the
main exhibit hall.
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2) AAC Road Trip to Fluency
The goal of AAC is the most effective communication possible.
In the best scenario, this translates to fluency. Human factors issues play
a significant role in the achievement of fluency. This six page paper, posted
at the AAC Institute web site, explores the journey to fluency through the metaphor
of a road trip and provides many references in human factors and other areas.
Hill, K. & Romich, B. (2004). The AAC Road Trip to Fluency. AAC Institute
Press.
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3) 2004 MEDICARE SPEECH GENERATING DEVICE
FEE SCHEDULE
A committee of the American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association (ASHA) recently reviewed procedures for working with Medicare funding
of speech generating devices (SGDs). E-Codes (formerly K-Codes) define reimbursement
available for various categories of SGDs. One of the members of the ASHA committee,
Joanne Lasker, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, has prepared an E-Code
Table for the sgdfunding.org
web site outlining the codes, related features and allowable reimbursement levels.
Look for other updated information on SGD funding.
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4) Language Sample Collection
Achievement of the most effective communication requires
the collection and analysis of language samples. Language activity monitoring
(LAM) is the foundational tool for collecting language samples generated using
AAC systems. The Language Sample Collection area of the AAC Institute web site
now has links to AAC system manufacturers (Dynavox/Enkidu, Prentke Romich Company,
Saltillo) whose products support data logging. Useful information for configuring
various AAC systems for use with U-LAM
(Universal Language Activity Monitor) software is also available.
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5) The Psychology of AAC Systems
Donald Norman has long been a champion of good product design.
Ten years ago issues identified by Norman were explored in an article specific
to the field of AAC. With permission of the publishers of Communication Outlook,
that article is now available at the AAC Institute web site.
Romich, B. (1994). Knowledge
in the world vs. knowledge in the head: the psychology of AAC systems.
Communication Outlook. Vol. 16 No. 2., pp. 19-21.
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6) Georgia Tech recruits participants
Georgia Tech's Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental
Access (CATEA) is recruiting people with disabilities to participate in a
series of projects that are being conducted at Georgia Tech. CATEA's Rehabilitation
Engineering Research Center on Workplace Accommodation is doing research about
the barriers people with disabilities encounter in the workplace. We request
that you join our consumer advisory network and participate in this survey.
The purpose of this study is to make workplaces more accessible for people with
disabilities.
The survey has 45 questions and takes about 30 minutes to complete. You begin the survey by using your computer to get on the Internet and go to our website: http://www.workplacererc.org/R1/CAN.php
John Goldthwaite
Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access
Georgia Tech
john.goldthwaite@catea.org
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7) 2004 Corporate Sponsors
Many organizations, including AAC manufacturers and publishers,
are providing support to the AAC Institute. Gold and Silver level sponsors include
Dynavox, Prentke Romich Company, and Semantic Compaction Systems. For a complete
list of 2004 corporate sponsors, including links to their web sites, click on
the "Corporate Sponsors" link on the AAC
Institute home page.