A Discussion of Empowering Autonomy and Self in Individuals with AAC Needs

 Wednesday, October 14, 2020 7:00-8:00 PM EDT

SEMINAR DESCRIPTION: 

This seminar will explore the various cultural attitudes toward people with AAC needs, and how clinicians, especially AAC specialists, can empower those individuals in relation with their autonomy, independence, and sense of self. The speaker’s life experiences will be integrated throughout this discussion of how ableism shapes and reshapes the cultural perception of those with AAC needs.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER: 

Stephanie Faso specializes in the cultural communication of people with significant mobility and communicative differences and their autonomy, independence, and sense of self. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies with honors and is earning her Master’s Degree in Communication Studies, both at San Jose State. She hones in on the relationships between the AAC communicators and their support systems. As a full-time and lifelong augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) communicator, Stephanie periodically presents about her insights and experiences with AAC in graduate seminars and also presents on the national level. Her presentations can be found on YouTube. Also, she helps children, teenagers, and young adults with their communication devices and instructs courses on ableism.

MODERATED BY: Betsy Caporale

CE courses are available for Free to USSAAC/ISAAC members only. 

Non-member pay $25 for each webinar. This course is offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs (Introductory level; Professional area.)

PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN: 

• The communication perspective and experience of a person who communicates through AAC

• The significance of being mindful of the cultural attitudes toward people with AAC needs

• Various methods of empowering individuals with AAC needs to have autonomy, independence, and a healthy sense of self

TIME ORDERED AGENDA: 

 5 minutes: Introduction of speaker, USSAAC and topic 

10 minutes: Speaker introduction of self and background 

10 minutes: Overview of past and current cultural attitudes toward people with AAC needs  5 minutes: Insights on how the support systems do not empower people with AAC needs 15 minutes: Overview of strategies and support systems that can be used to empower individuals   with AAC needs 

10 minutes: Demonstration of speaker’s AAC system through Q & A 

 5 minutes: Q & A

 To register for this Webinar please go to the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7224900111858250000

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) CEUs in speech-language pathology and audiology are awarded by the ASHA CE Registry upon receipt of the CEU Participant Form from the ASHA Approved CE Provider, USSAAC. CEU Participant Forms are available onsite at Registration. ASHA CEUs are provided to full registrations. This program is offered for .1 ASHA CEUs (Introductory Level, Professional Area)

ASHA Disclosures: 

• Stephanie Faso runs donation-based online courses focusing on empowering individuals with AAC needs. She also works as an ambassador for PRC. 

• Moderator has no financial or non-financial disclosures to report.

PLEASE NOTE: Only the first 100 attendees to log into the webinar will be guaranteed spots.

COMMITTEE: 

Betsy Caporale, Gretchen Cole-Lade, Richard Hurtig, 

Mary Anne Lang, Stephanie Meehan

about USSAAC 

The United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC) is the national chapter of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC). As the United States’ only non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the entire AAC community, USSAAC provides an invaluable role, working to ensure that individuals who could benefit from AAC have access to the technology and services they need.

FOLLOW US: @USSAAC #USSAA

CONTACT US: membership@ussaac.org

JOIN US:  https://ussaac.org/membership/