That’s the theme for AAC Awareness Month 2022 in October.
Why “Show Your Voice”?
Having a voice and showing it can mean different things to different people.
One way is to show a voice is literally, by displaying the technology and methods used to speak. Another way to show a voice is by displaying technology and methods to advocate for people, causes, and change in the world.
Through this theme, we want to give the AAC community opportunities to show our voices, whether it’s on social media; showing how we use technologies to communicate effectively; displaying the talents of persons who use AAC in other ways; or highlighting actions that promote communication access.
Enjoy this poem, The Night Before Christmas AAC Version, written by Chelsea Hagan. Performed by Chelsea Hagen, Joanne Picard, and Bailey Nalecki.
ISAAC International “Show Your Voice Discussion Series”
October 26, 2022
ISAAC hosted a day of lively and engaging panel discussions about AAC planned by ISAAC’s LEAD Committee. It was a truly global experience as we explored topics important to AAC communities around the world. The discussions were moderated by AAC community experts from Canada, the US, Europe and Australasia.
Exciting news! On October 26, during the Show Your Voice Discussion Series, PRC-Saltillo CEO Dave Hershberger announced the recipients of the inaugural Bruce Baker Global Initiative Award.
This year we’re introducing #MoretoSay, a campaign to challenge assumptions about people who cannot speak. Assumptions that they have no opinions or anything to add to a conversation. Read more in our campaign blog post and see the first of a number of short comics we will be publishing to show why AAC is so important. Watch for a blog post on AAC terminology later this month!
Egypt
AAC Awareness workshops were held in Cathedral for participants working in the field of disabilities.
In this video Dr.Yvette Abdelmalek shares her experience about AAC with students of Adapted Physical Education department in HELWAN University.
In the following two videos, Dr. Yvette Abdelmalek is with her student with complex communication needs who is using BlissSymbols as mean of communication. He is joining the Right To Live Association for mental disability. He loves airplanes!
Australia
Join AGOSCI AAC Awareness Month events across Australia.
Non-Insured Health Benefit coverage for AAC – ISAAC-Canada
October 19, 2022 7 p.m. ET
Presenter: Denise Dupont
Moderator: Kathy Howery, ISAAC-Canada President
Participants will learn about the coverage provided by Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) for AAC equipment and supplies for registered First Nations and recognized Inuit clients.
Emily’s Fund to help families affected by Coffin-Siris Syndrome access AAC
We are celebrating AAC awareness month this October by fundraising for the CSS Foundation’s program, Emily’s Fund, which honors the memory of Emily Locke.
AAC is very important for the Coffin-Siris Syndrome community. Children and adults with CSS often are diagnosed with mild to severe intellectual disability. Affected infants and children may also have mild to severe speech delays, where expressive language is affected more severely than receptive language.
Emily’s Fund helps families financially access alternative and augmentative communication that may not otherwise be accessible, or are not covered by personal insurance. This includes high or low tech systems, devices, software, cases, etc.
You can learn more about CSS, the legacy of Emily Locke, and our campaign here:
