July 7, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
We’re big fans of Tabi Jones-Wohleber’s Model as a MASTER PAL series, so when we discovered video presentations using this material we knew we had to share it here. Previously, we posted a set of videos by Amanda Sheriff which covered MASTER PAL Modules (see that here). In today’s post, we’re featuring two AAC specialists familiar to PrAACtical AAC readers, Jeanna Antrim and Maggie Judson. These wonderful videos are based on Tabi’s series and provide lots of prAACtical information. Many thanks to Jeanna, Maggie, and, of course, Tabi, for generously sharing your work on training communication partners. Enjoy! Module 6: Motivate Module 7: Statements More Than Questions
Filed under: Video of the Week
June 30, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
In today’s featured video, Dr. Yoosun Chung, an Associate Professor at George Mason University and President of USSAAC, shares her perspectives and experiences with ableism as a professional, parent, and person who uses AAC. This session was presented at AAC in the Cloud 2021, organized and hosted by CoughDrop. We are grateful to Dr. Chung and to the wonderful team at CoughDrop for this valuable presentation. You can obtain the handouts for this session here. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phDBrb-ehOM&ab_channel=CoughDrop
Filed under: Video of the Week
June 23, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Visual scene displays (VSDs) offer benefits to some people with AAC needs but don’t always get adequate consideration during the assessment process. In today’s video, AAC SLP Carolyn Buchanan, from the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST), discusses the benefits of VSDs and reviews popular apps that feature this method of displaying vocabulary. Many thanks to Carolyn and the fine team at FAAST for this informative video. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k_uM8kE0nA&ab_channel=FAAST%2CInc
Filed under: Video of the Week
June 9, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Here in the US, June is the month that we use to build awareness of and support for people with aphasia. Today’s video is from the AAC in the Cloud Conference, hosted by CoughDrop, and features the work of SLPs Amanda Gunn and Caitlin Mueller. We are grateful to CoughDrop and the presenters for making their work readily available. You can obtain the handouts for this session here. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cJuqi95ctI&ab_channel=CoughDrop
Filed under: Video of the Week
June 2, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Dealing with feelings – good, bad, or indifferent – is easiest when we can talk about our experiences. Today, we turn to Saltillo’s Stepping Stones to AAC series for a video on this topic by Brittany Toney and Heather Prenovost. You can find their interactive background here and download another handout for this session here. Many thanks to Heather, Brittany, and PRC Saltillo for this helpful video. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-yHZfU6yF4&ab_channel=SaltilloSaltillo
Filed under: Video of the Week
May 26, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Communication is personal. There’s no way to overstate the importance of having AAC apps and SGDs represent various races, ethnicities, and languages so that AAC users have appropriate options from which to choose. Today, we feature the work of Jill D’Braunstein, Christina Royster, Alma Partida, and Yoosun Chung. In this archived webinar, they address topics related to diverse representation, such as personalizing the voice, language, and dialect. Many thanks to USSAAC, ISAAC, and the presenters for making this important information available to all. You can download the handouts for this webinar here and here. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzevyTe4Nec&t=20s&ab_channel=InternationalSocietyforAugmentativeandAlternativeCommunication%28ISAAC%29
Filed under: Video of the Week
May 19, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Almost 35 years ago when I was a doctoral student on an AAC fellowship, I had the privilege of meeting an AAC pioneer, Shirley McNaughton. Known for her innovative work in bringing Blissymbolics to nonspeaking children with cerebral palsy, Shirley continues to make contributions to people who use AAC. In today’s video, we feature the Bliss iBand and showcase their keynote address for the Music Care Conference hosted by the Room 217 Foundation. Take time to watch this, AAC friends. You won’t regret it. You can learn more about the Bliss iBand here. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTpC5xSUe1s&ab_channel=BlissiBand
Filed under: Video of the Week
May 12, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Ask any AAC stakeholder about the collaborative teaming and they’re likely to tell you two things: how incredibly valuable it is and how little time they have for it. In today’s video, we’re highlighting a session from a past AAC in the Cloud Conference featuring AAC SLPs Chris Bugaj and Rachel Madel. In this post, they share some of their favorite ways of using technology to make collaboration faster and easier. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwsEdbfic18&ab_channel=CoughDrop Many thanks to the fine team at CoughDrop and to Rachel and Chris for this helpful presentation.
Filed under: Video of the Week
May 5, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
Using mobile devices can be a challenge for people who have significant motor limitations. Things are getting easier but determining the best equipment for alternative access is still a bit tricky. In today’s video, we feature a detailed presentation on the hardware options for using switch scanning with the iPad. AT Specialist Melissa Mussano provides a considerable amount of information that will help you make the right decisions for your AAC users. Many thanks to Melissa and to AbleNet for making this recording available. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKUuqVfVrSw&ab_channel=AbleNetUniversityRecordedWebinar
Filed under: Video of the Week
April 28, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
The ability to gather and store data from SGDs and AAC apps raises important issues for AAC stakeholders around issues of privacy, confidentiality, and data security. In today’s video, we turn to a webinar, moderated by ISAAC’s President-Elect Tracy Shepherd, featuring several AAC experts who discuss these issues from the perspectives of user, researcher, clinician, developer, and manufacturer. Panelists include: Russell Cross, Speech-Language Therapist (PRC-Saltillo) Melanie Fried-Oken, Ph.D. and Professor of Neurology, Biomedical Engineering and Otolaryngology (Oregon Health & Science University) Dave Hershberger, CEO (PRC-Saltillo ) Fil McIntyre, Manager and Assistive Technology Lead (TechAbility) Dr. David Niemeijer, CEO and Founder (AssistiveWare) Alyssa Hillary Zisk, Doctoral Candidate in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience (University of Rhode Island) Many thanks to all the presenters and to ISAAC for hosting this valuable session and making it widely available. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6HVP3S0r1A&ab_channel=InternationalSocietyforAugmentativeandAlternativeCommunication%28ISAAC%29
Filed under: Video of the Week