FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 1, 2018
CONTACT:
United States Society of Alternative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC)
membership@ussaac.org
619-269-0948
The United States of America Chapter of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication to Celebrate October’s AAC Awareness Month 2018
The October Awareness Month to promote communication technology
for people with complex communication needs
United States — October 1, 2018— The USSAAC Chapter of ISAAC, the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, is pleased to announce that October is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month.
AAC Awareness Month, themed Dare to Lead, is dedicated to raising awareness of AAC and to inform the public about the many different ways in which people communicate using low and high-tech communication aids and innovative communication strategies. The month of celebration is also designed to sing the praises of people who use AAC and recognize their leadership within their communities.
“It’s important for people to understand and respect the methods used by those who have difficulty expressing themselves verbally.”
— Tracy Rackensperger, Ph.D., Vice-President of People Who Use AAC and Their
Families
Notably, renowned physicist Professor Stephen Hawking was able to bring attention to AAC technology and people who use AAC devices. During this month, USSAAC will do the following.
- Posting on SpeakUp blog
- Making available AAC business cards and factsheet on the USSAAC AAC Awareness Page
- Using social media throughout the month to spread awareness
- Hosting Transitioning Students Using AAC: Strategies to Promote Full Inclusion webinar, October 29th at 7pm
USSAAC Chapter members include people who use AAC, their families, therapists, teachers, students, doctors, researchers, organizations and companies that make communication aids. Visit ussaac.org for more information about community events.
To learn about ISAAC’s mission to create worldwide awareness about how AAC can help individuals without speech communicate using assistive technology tools and strategies to solve everyday communicative challenges, visit isaac-online.org. To get involved in your local Chapter, visit ussaac.org.
Special thank you to this year’s initiative sponsor Attainment Company. Attainment Company is an independent, family-owned business based in Verona, Wisconsin, (USA) dedicated to helping people with disabilities succeed at school, work, and life.
###
ABOUT ISAAC:
The International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) works to improve the lives of children and adults who use AAC. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) helps millions worldwide who cannot rely on their natural speech to communicate. The ISAAC Biennial Conference has been held every two years in a different location since 1984.
ISAAC’s vision is that AAC will be recognized, valued and used throughout the world. ISAAC’s mission is to promote the best possible communication for people with complex communication needs.