Date: 01/26/2026 Time: 11:00-11:30 Location: internet Type: Webinar
Price: FREE
Description
Join us for our AAC Open Mic Office Hours, an informal drop-in space where educators, therapists, and families can ask student- or school-specific questions, listen to live discussions, or bring up topics of interest related to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Whether you’re seeking guidance, looking to problem-solve, or just want to learn from others in the field, this is a great opportunity to expand your AAC knowledge in a relaxed, collaborative setting.
Wondering where to start with AAC? Curious about how different apps compare? Need ideas for classroom implementation or supporting AAC use at home? Want tips for training team members or embedding AAC into daily routines? All questions are welcome—no topic is too big or too small.
Bring your lunch, your questions, and your curiosity, and join us for an engaging discussion on AAC strategies, challenges, and best practices. There are no pre-set topics—just real-time support and shared learning.
For topic-specific webinars, check out our AAC Collaboration Corner series.
Fall Series
9/29/2025
10/27/2025
12/15/2025
Winter-Spring Series
1/26/2026
2/23/2026
3/30/2026
4/27/2026
5/18/2026
Learning Objectives
- Discover new tools, techniques, and evidence-based practices to enhance communication access for all learners, while building confidence in supporting AAC users.
- Engage in discussions to troubleshoot challenges, share experiences, and exchange ideas, creating a supportive learning community for AAC users and professionals.
- Explore best practices, strategies, and real-world applications of AAC in educational settings, gaining insights tailored to student and school-specific needs.
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, MS, CCC-SLP
Sara is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Specialist with the Special Education Technology Center, and an adjunct professor at Western Washington University. With over 18 years of experience in public education, she specializes in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and supporting the communication needs of students ages 3 to 21 across diverse educational settings. Sara partners closely with educators, offering coaching and guidance to ensure comprehensive support for students with high support needs. She is deeply committed to fostering inclusion, promoting accessibility, and creating meaningful learning experiences for all students.
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: No Clock Hours for this series