October is AAC Awareness Month
"AAC" is Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
TechOWL, a program of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, College of Education and Human Development, will present a lunch and learn webinar series during AAC Awareness Month.
AAC Lunch and Learn Webinar Series with Speech-Language Pathologists
Speech-Language Pathologists from the Institute will will help participants enhance their AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) knowledge.
Free one-hour webinars are scheduled on these Tuesdays and Wednesdays in October 2024 at 12 Noon, Eastern Standard Time: October 8, October 16, October 22, and October 30.
Registration is required for each webinar.
Accessibility and Accommodations
Zoom captioning will be available.
To request reasonable accommodations, please email tue50065@temple.edu by October 1, 2024.
October 8: Unconventional AAC: Supporting Vocabulary Access for Swearing, Slang, and Sexuality
Let's shift the mindset around explicit language and AAC! Learn how supporting access to explicit and taboo language/concepts impacts an AAC user's autonomy in communication. Examples of target vocabulary for each life stage, along with AAC programming considerations and implementation strategies will be provided. Disclaimer: This presentation will discuss explicit language, sexual health terminology, and abuse.
Learning Objectives
- Recommend 3 or more examples of taboo words/concepts to include in AAC systems/devices for each life-stage
- Describe at least 2 strategies to support learning/use of taboo words/concepts in AAC implementation
- Develop at least 2 rationales to support access to sexual health, intimacy, and/or relationship vocabulary for AAC users
Register for the October 8 Unconventional AAC Webinar
October 16: Cultural and Linguistic Considerations for AAC
Learn about elements of AAC systems that should be taken into consideration when working with clients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Additionally, this presentation will briefly discuss how to program and integrate AAC systems so that they are reflective of the individual user and the user's community.
Learning Objectives
- Understand why cultural competence is important when working with individuals who use AAC devices.
- Identify at least three ways to center the user's identity when programming an AAC device.
- Identify and acknowledge clinical limitations of cultural and linguistic considerations when working with AAC users.
Register for the October 16 Cultural and Linguistic Webinar
October 22: Let's Give 'Em Something To Talk About
You received a funded device for your consumer- now what? Using an AAC device for the first time can be challenging and overwhelming for new AAC users and their teams. A great place to start is giving access to activities to talk about. Learn how to adapt daily activities, what Assistive Technology exists to help you and how you can DIY things on your own!
Learning Objectives
- Identify at least 3 tools to help adapt activities
- Problem solve how to adapt an activity on your own
- Understand how to incorporate AAC into adapted activities
Register for the October 22 Something To Talk About Webinar
October 30: Communication Partner Instruction: Considerations for Supporting Adults who use AAC
Adults who use AAC interact with various staff members across residential, day, and community settings. How do we support and empower the multifaceted team of individuals who work with this population in implementing AAC? This presentation will discuss coaching strategies, tips and tools for helping teams understand and support individuals who use AAC.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss 1 or more barriers that exist for communication partners when supporting AAC users
- Identify 2 strategies to empower teams in supporting AAC users in home and community settings
- List 3 resources available to support communication partners in learning about AAC
Register for the October 30 Communication Partner Webinar