March 31, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Today’s topic, AAC & ethics, is one that should be of great interest to all AAC stakeholders, especially those of us who teach AAC classes to future special educators and therapists. The presenters – Tracey Rackensperger, Judith Schoonover, and Nicole Tripp – cover important issues and suggest possible solutions to several ethical dilemmas. Many thanks to USSAAC, ISAAC, and the presenters for making this important information available to all. You can download the handout for this webinar here. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N1nTzM9clA&t=30s&ab_channel=InternationalSocietyforAugmentativeandAlternativeCommunication%28ISAAC%29
Filed under: Video of the Week
March 24, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
While some are familiar with the concept of Communication Passports, they remain an under-utilized strategy that can play an important role for many people with complex communication needs. They are powerful tools that AAC users can utilize to share information with others. In today’s featured video, Gillian McNeill helps us understand what Communication Passports are, the benefits they offer, and how we can develop these in both paper and digital formats. This video is a recorded webinar hosted by CALL Scotland, which maintains the wonderful Personal Communication Passports webpage with so many helpful resources. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGl0IGpt9ys&list=PLm66eliPiNXN3wSGfiGGE3ae7YS1KKacs&index=24&ab_channel=callscotland1983
Filed under: Video of the Week
March 17, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Looking for brief activities to build language? Today, we happily share these short videos from AAC SLP Maggie Judson. Maggie is a co-author of our TELL ME About It series, and always has prAACtical suggestions for ways to engage students in learning new vocabulary and language concepts. Enjoy! Describing Leaves LAMP Words for Life TouchChat with WordPower Compare/Contrast Leaves LAMP Words for Life TouchChat with WordPower Pumpkin Describing TouchChat with WordPower Tobii Dynavox Snap Core First You can see more of Maggie’s work here: Teachers Pay Teachers https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Bookish-Slp Boom Learning https://wow.boomlearning.com/store/authorId/Nd7amc36zQyizWurG/?collection=Decks&sort=publishDate&order=-1 Etsy https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheBookishSLP Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the.bookish.slp/
Filed under: Video of the Week
March 10, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
If you’re looking for ideas for how to support AAC learning at home, today’s post will be a real treat. AAC SLP, Jeanna Antrim, co-author of our TELL ME About It series, created a set of short instructional videos with prAACtical ideas for modeling AAC at home. Kitchen Pantry Garage Bathroom Bedroom & Closet Backyard Backyard Bubbles Backyard Garden In the Sandbox Board Games: Sequence for Kids Board Games: Pop the Pig If you like these wonderful suggestions, check out more from Jeanna: Teachers Pay Teachers Instagram Facebook Twitter
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: family, home, videos
March 3, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
The process of feature matching has been the gold standard for selecting AAC devices for several decades. In today’s featured video, AT Specialist, Consultant, and Special Educator Kelly Fonner provides an overview of this type of AAC assessment. Many thanks to Kelly and to Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) for hosting this helpful webinar. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9D9P-wluqw&ab_channel=PaTTAN
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: AAC assessment, video
February 24, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
How can we support AAC learners in developing their reading and writing skills? In today’s featured video, we hear from Dr. Karen Erickson and Dr. Lori Geist, from the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Many thanks to Drs. Erickson and Geist for this presentation and to ISAAC for hosting it. You can obtain the handout for this webinar here. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4ZqS43H6Fc&feature=emb_logo&ab_channel=InternationalSocietyforAugmentativeandAlternativeCommunication%28ISAAC%29
Filed under: Video of the Week
February 17, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Professionals who support people with AAC needs can play an important role in helping them prepare for emergency situations. In today’s featured video, Julia Beams of the Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering at the University of Colorado (Denver) This is an archived presentation hosted by ECHO Voices of the Oregon Technology Access Program (OTAP). We are grateful to OTAP and Ms. Beams for this important information. You can access the handouts for this session here. Direct Link to Video – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZlWhUSXrAbF0CX5vPn0A4Y6-VLq7DGwa/view
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: emergency preparedness
February 10, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
The impact of Covid-19 on people with AAC needs, their families, and service providers has been vast. In today’s featured video, David Niemeijer and Erin Sheldon discuss the impact of the novel pandemic. They explore the many weaknesses it has exposed in the AAC service delivery landscape and offer some possible solutions for addressing these issues. Direct Link to Video – https://vimeo.com/491509316
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: Emergency, healthcare
February 3, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Many special education programs have a daily routine of discussing the weather and reviewing the calendar. In today’s featured video, we take a look at how special educator Amy Campbell integrates no tech and high tech AAC into this activity. Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsAQ4ol-ETU&ab_channel=AmyCampbell You can read a post by Amy on normalizing AAC here and see another of her videos, Cooking with AAC, here.
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: classroom, education, school
January 27, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Last spring, when PrAACtical AAC hosted some online conversations about the intersection of race, equity, and AAC, I had the opportunity to meet wonderful professionals, families, and students who shared an interest in this topic. In today’s featured video, we learn from three SLPs who apply themselves to these challenges in very concrete and far-reaching ways, Alma Partida, Jill D’Braunstein, and Christina Royster. In addition to the main video, we’re linking to others that provide guidance for customizing some popular AAC apps. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp18iWr4VE8&ab_channel=DiverseAAC Check out these playlists for help with adjusting voices and skin tones for selected AAC apps. Customizing Touchchat with Wordpower Customizing Proloquo2Go Customizing LAMP Words for Life
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: AAC apps, diversity, videos