AAC Institute
Update!
1 March 2009
*** 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 AAC Institute is to provide periodic announcements of interest to those
involved in the field of AAC. Approximate average frequency of messages is
one every two months. Archived past announcements can be found at the web
site. If you wish to be removed from the AAC Institute announcement list,
simply reply with a message to that effect. ***
This update has ten (10) 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) See you at CSUN
March 16 - 21, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Center of Disability is
celebrating 24 years of leadership in the technology and disability fields.
Experts will be presenting trends in assistive technology and persons with
disabilities, while also highlighting adaptive technology for aging and international
practices. Up to 2.1 CEUs can be earned. CEUs are administered by AAC Institute.
http://csunconference.org/index.cfm?EID=80000144
Earn California Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours at CSUN. We are now approved for CPD hours for SLPS. AAC Institute is Professional Development Provider No. 211.
New Products: Come by the AAC Institute exhibit at the Renaissance Montura! See the new products and materials available, including IEP Resource: Suggestions and Samples for Students Who Use AAC. Author Robin Hurd, parents writes a book containing parent & teacher friendly sample IEP goals specifically designed to build literacy, math and language skills for children using AAC. A valuable resource for any professional working in the schools!
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2) AAC ConsumerNet:
Off to a Great Start!
David Chapple, manager of AAC ConsumerNet would like to thank the many people
who have expressed their appreciation for this growing web site resource.
In September, the AAC Institute activated AAC ConsumerNet, our newest resource
managed by David Chapple. One of the primary goals of AAC ConsumerNet is aimed
at empowering consumers and professionals with information to advocate for
the supports and services that will lead to optimized communication and the
fullest life experience possible for people who use AAC. Send your questions
and comments to consumernet@aacinstitute.org.
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3) Around the Water Cooler
Last month’s Around the Water Cooler column started a 2 part series
comparing perceptions of communication partners. The monthly column is an
AAC ConsumerNet resource organized and written by David Chapple and invited
guest authors. This month’s guest is Michael Moats. Each column addresses
topics of importance related to rehabilitation, clinical service delivery,
education, training, employment and personal issues that affect leading a
full life as a person with significant communication challenges. Click here
for the March 2009 column.
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4) 2009 International Symposium:
Entering a State of Independence: AAC, Evidence and Empowerment
Join us Thursday, August 6th, 2009, the day before the Pittsburgh Employment
Conference for Augmented Communicators (PEC)! The focus of the 2009 Symposium
is transition to adulthood. Preparing to live life as independently as possible
is very important for people with complex communication needs. Throughout
the day, several augmented communicators will share their stories, give advice
and allow a glimpse into their successful adult lives. Creating a life plan
and designing a transition plan that suite the individual will be discussed
in detail. Participants should leave the symposium with a better glimpse of
what’s possible and tools to design a road map that gets them there.
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5) 2009
International Symposium Scholarships!
A limited number of scholarships for the symposium
are available. Professional scholarships will cover the registration costs
of the professional. Family scholarships will cover the cost of registration
for up to 3 family members. Scholarship application forms are available on
the web site.
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6) Pittsburgh Employment
Conference (PEC) for Augmented Communicators
Come to the Symposium and stay for PEC! Mark your calendars for August 7-9,
2009! The Pittsburgh Employment Conference, considered by some to be the most
significant event in the field of AAC, is the largest gathering of people
who use AAC in the world. This year’s theme is : Employment: Overcoming
Depression and Loneliness. Featured speakers will include: Susan Balandin,
Ph.D., Pamela Elder, M.A., CCC-SLP, Richard Creech, M.S., Diane Bryen, Ph.D.,
Beth Anne Luciani, Jennifer Lowe, Christopher Klein, Toby Hewitt, and The
Invisible Village Players. Come see and learn what all the talking is about!
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7)
Researchers wanted - CAAC Research Conference 2009!
Plan ahead to submit to the Third Annual Clinical AAC Research Conference
and attend the conference to be held on October 1-3, 2009 at the University
of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Encourage your students to submit
to the Student Scientific Paper Award with student recipients receiving a
certificate and a $400 honorarium for first place and $200 for second place.
Special student seminar coordinated by Lyle Lloyd at CAAC. This is an opportunity
for students to interact informally on a variety of clinical research topics
with researchers in the field. http://www.aacinstitute.org/CAAC
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8) i-CREATe 2009 –
The Premier Asian-Pacific AAC/AT Event
The 3nd International Convention on Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive
Technology will be held in Singapore 22-26 April 2009. This year's theme "Accessible
Tourism" promotes accessibility for all with the adoption of universal
design, where assistive technologies will be used and introduced in the environment
to improve accessible tourism. This event will showcase and enhance the rapidly
growing interest in technology for people with disabilities in this region
of the world. Additional information can be found at http://icreate.start-centre.com/icreate2009/index.php
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8) Congratulations to a
Gold Sponsor
Valued Sponsors help to support the various initiatives of AAC Institute.
AAC Institute would like to express our gratitude by congratulating the CSUN
organizers on the 24th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities
Conference. Anthony Coelho will open the Conference as our Keynote Speaker.
Mr. Coelho, a former U.S. Congressman from California, was the primary author
and sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Mr. Coelho will address
the future of emerging leaders, the impact of change, and how these issues
will affect the continuing goal in achieving global inclusion and technology
for all. Please, take the time to learn about the difference these sponsors
are making to improve the quality of life for people who rely on AAC.
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9) International Symposium
on AAC Evidence-Based Practice and Pittsburgh Employment Conference (PEC)
for Augmented Communicators!
Mark your calendars for August 6-9,
2009! You don’t want to miss these two leading events in AAC starting
with the Seventh International Symposium on AAC Evidence-Based Practice on
Thursday 6 August that leads into PEC, the world’s largest gathering
of people who use AAC. Come see and learn what all the talking is about!
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10) 2009 Sponsors
Thirty-seven (37) organizations
are now AAC Institute sponsors. They include AAC manufacturers, continuing
education activity organizers, publishers and others. Gold level sponsors
include Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA), California State
University – Northridge (CSUN), Closing The Gap, Exceptional Parent,
Prentke Romich Company, Semantic Compaction Systems, Spectrum Training systems,
Inc.. Silver level sponsors include Arizona Department of Education &
Arizona Technology Access Program and Indiana Assistive Technology Act. 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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