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
April 21, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
The Communication Matrix is a powerful and popular tool for assessing early communication skills. In today’s featured video, AAC SLP Vicki Clarke, known here for her AAC Assessment Corner series, discusses this important tool and provides helpful information on implementing it. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djNQVSXaF-g&ab_channel=AACChicksatDynamicTherapyAssociatesInc.
Filed under: Video of the Week
April 14, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
“Like many, over my 63 years, I have known what it is like to be wrongfully convicted of being less intelligent, less human, and, therefore, having less of a need and capacity and, thus, little to no right to effectively express ourselves and to be understood.” “All because others cannot understand us. Let me repeat that. All because others cannot understand us.” (B. Williams, 2020) Advocacy is a vitally important undertaking for AAC users, professionals, and families alike. Today’s video features a conversation between Susie Lotharius and Bob Williams, of CommunicationFIRST that was part of the 2020 Innovations in Education Conference. Listen in as they discuss the fight for communication rights in the context of the larger disability rights movement and share information about tools and strategies that we can all use in our advocacy efforts. Many, many thanks to the presenters and to CommunicationFIRST for making this important talk... [Read More...]
Filed under: Video of the Week
April 7, 2021
by Carole Zangari -
We’re always pleased to be able to share prAACtical strategies for gathering meaningful data. In today’s featured video, we learn from AAC SLP Jessica Conrad, an AT specialist with the Promoting Achievement through Technology and Instruction for all Students (PATINS) Project. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OPT4CEWDdw&list=PLFZe-wdPHOs6dXHc-ouvMdinCgg4qk0k9&index=9&t=487s&ab_channel=PATINSProject
Filed under: Video of the Week
Tagged With: AAC assessment, data collection
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