Date: 04/03/2025 Time: 11:00-12:00 Location: internet Type: Webinar
Description
Join us for a series of collaborative connection meetings focusing on Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) where diverse voices unite to explore innovative strategies, share experiences, and build a supportive community. These gatherings aim to facilitate dynamic discussions, foster mutual learning, and inspire creative solutions in the realm of AAC. Let’s come together to amplify understanding, advocate for inclusivity, and empower individuals to express themselves fully. Join the conversation the first Thursday of each month and be part of the change!
Learning Objectives
- To foster collaboration among professionals, educators, and caregivers around best practices and clinical application of specific topics in the area of AAC.
- To promote a collaborative learning environment where participants can network, share experiences, and support each other in AAC implementation.
- To provide participants with actionable takeaways and resources to improve AAC practice in their respective contexts, with explicit focus on students who are culturally and linguistically diverse.
Topics by Month
10/03: AAC 101: An Introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication
11/07: Empowering Educators: Leading AAC Training in Your School or District
12/12: Show Me the Money: Finding Funding Sources for AAC Needs
01/09: Breaking Barriers: Integrating AAC in Inclusive Classrooms
02/06: Exploring the Needs of Part-Time AAC Users: Strategies and Support
03/06: Beyond the Basics: Exploring AAC and Alternative Access Methods
04/03: AAC and Multilingualism: Navigating Communication Diversity
05/01: Beyond Binaries: The Intersectionality of Race and AAC Use (This will be part of the statewide meeting)
06/05: Creating a Culture of Communication: Building AAC Affirming Schools
Presenters
Sarah Kinsella, MA CCC-SLP
Sarah Kinsella is a Speech-Language Pathologist with a passion for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and supporting students with complex communication needs. She holds a Master’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and has worked in the public school setting for 11 years. She also served as the district Assistive Technology Specialist for 7 years, working with multidisciplinary teams and families to support students with a variety of Assistive Technology and AAC needs. She is passionate about her field and thankful for the students with whom she works as they help her learn and grow along the way.
Sara Ayars
Sara is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Specialist with the Special Education Technology Center. She also contracts with the Bellevue School District and serves as an adjunct professor in Western Washington University’s Communication Sciences and Disorders program. With over 17 years of experience in public schools, Sara specializes in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and supporting the communication needs of students aged 3 to 21. She collaborates with educators to provide coaching and to ensure comprehensive care for students with high support needs, focusing on fostering inclusivity, promoting accessibility, and creating meaningful educational experiences.
Contact
Email Sue Wright at the SETC office
Zoom Link
Clock hours for this webinar and others in this series are available from ESD105 for a small fee. The following Professional Development Enroller link provides more information about clock hours: https://www.pdenroller.org/cwu/catalog/165361