www.aacinstitute.org

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 nine (9) 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) Fifth International Symposium on AAC Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
At the Intersection of AAC and Education: Evidence Based Practice, Language and Learning

This Fifth Symposium will be held on August 2, 2007 at the Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh, immediately preceding the Pittsburgh Employment Conference (PEC). Keynote address: Tracy Kovach, Ph.D.  Learn how evidence-based practice can help optimize and document results, meet educational standards and achieve success for children and adults who use AAC.  CEUs will be available at no cost.  The agenda and registration form are at http://www.aacinstitute.org/Symposium/index.html . CEUs are available to attendees through the AAC Institute at no cost.

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2) First Annual AAC Clinical Research Conference (CAAC)
The first annual Clinical AAC (CAAC) Conference will be held September 27-29th, 2007, in Lexington, Kentucky.  CAAC is a forum created specifically for clinicians and researchers engaged in the study and clinical management of people who use augmentative and alternative communication.   The intent of CAAC is to strengthen and share the evidence base for clinical practice in AAC and provide an opportunity to discuss research with colleagues.  Please consider participating in this exciting opportunity.

Registration is limited to individuals who submit papers and graduate students being mentored by authors. A number of special events are being planned to foster the development of graduate students as future clinical researchers including a round table discussion following the conference presentations.  Keynote presenters include Malcolm McNeil, Ph.D. and Randall Robey, Ph.D.  Call for Papers Deadline:  May 1, 2007.  The 2007 Conference Chairperson is Dr. Gilson Capilouto, and the Conference Program Chairperson is Dr. Filip Loncke.  For more information and details for submitting a paper go to:  http://www.aacinstitute.org/CAAC.

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3) Parents’ Corner Resources
The AAC Institute Parents’ Corner offers various resources for parents.  A monthly column, generally written by a parent, offers advice and food for thought for families.  A listserve exclusively for parents provides an opportunity for sharing of experiences and mutual support.  List Participants have recently started a file sharing space, where they can share their ideas and support materials they have created for their children.  Some of the materials are useful for children with a variety of AAC systems, and some are specific to a certain AAC system.   Please stop by and browse what has been contributed so far! http://www.aacinstitute.org/Resources/ParentsCorner/intro.html.

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4) 2007 ASHA AAC Student Paper Awards reminder

Now is the time to consider submitting a paper for the ASHA AAC Student Scientific Paper competition. Selection of recipients is made by a committee of the ASHA Division on Augmentative Communication. Information on the awards program is available at http://www.aacinstitute.org/Resources/ASHAStudentAwards/ashastudentawards.html. The awards are sponsored by AAC Institute.  The ASHA Call for Papers deadline is March 28, 2007.

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5) AGOSCI 007: License to Communicate
8th National AGOSCI Conference is being planned for March 22 - 24, 2007 at the RACV Conference Centre in Melbourne, Australia.  AGOSCI is an Australian group representing people with complex communication needs, as well as those who live, know or work with people with complex communication needs.  Established in 1981, AGOSCI aims to lobby for the rights of people with complex communication needs, increase public awareness of complex communication needs, and to provide relevant educational and professional development events across Australia.  For more information:  http://www.agosci.org.au.

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6) Annual daVinci Awards nominations open
Have you, or someone you know, developed an innovative product or facility or performed research that has advanced universal design or assistive technology? The daVinci Awards recognize accomplishment in these areas.  Nominations are being accepted until May 21, 2007.  For more information: http://www.nmssmi.org/davinci/index.html.

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7) New Research about Your Opinions of Speech-Generating Devices!

A Gallaudet University Speech-Language Pathology graduate student is conducting research about the opinions of high-functioning adults with ALS and CP who use speech-generating AAC devices.  The study consists of a 24 question survey/questionnaire which includes information about the device you use and your wants/needs for more control of the emotion and intonation of the speech that is generated.  For more information, please feel free to contact Laura A. Yee: lay116@gmail.com or laura.yee@gallaudet.edu

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8) Upcoming Conference Activity

Plan to stop and visit with AAC Institute volunteers participating at the following upcoming conferences in March and April: 

 

CSUN http://www.csun.edu/cod/conf/index.htm and USSAAC  http://www.ussaac.org/events.php.  Join us in the Exhibit Hall in Los Angeles.  

 

ICE Canada  http://www.ofcp.on.ca/ice/ .  The ICE Canada conference in Toronto is an event created by and for individuals who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and their families.  Robin Hurd is participating on a panel about handling transitions and self-advocacy at a young age. 

 

 iCREATe  http://www.i-create2007.org/. The International Convention for Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology (i-CREATe 2007) in Singapore, is a forum for rehabilitation engineers, technologists and technicians to attend workshops, to network and to grow the assistive technology industry in Asia.  Dr. Katya Hill and Jennifer Lowe, Executive Director for SHOUT and an individual who uses AAC, will be presenting various sessions on the state-of-the art of AAC.

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9) 2007 Sponsors
Many organizations, AAC manufacturers, publishers and others provide support to the AAC Institute. Gold level sponsors include Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA), California State University – Northridge, Closing The Gap,  Prentke Romich Company and Semantic Compaction Systems. Silver level sponsors include Mayer-Johnson, Inc. For a complete list of sponsors, including links to their web sites, click on the "Sponsors" link on the AAC Institute home page.

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