President’s Message – April 2022

April 2022

Amy Goldman

Dear Friends:

This week is National Volunteer Appreciation Week! A BIG thank you to our members who serve USSAAC in a volunteer capacity and help make our organization strong!

USSAAC has many active committees doing wonderful things to support people who use AAC, their families, and of course, our members.  Learn more about our committees at Committees – USSAAC and join one (or more) today.

Committee highlight:  AAC Awareness Committee

The AAC Awareness Committee is an enthusiastic and lively bunch of people who are excited to educate the public about AAC.  The objective of this group is to compile public awareness information for dissemination and to organize and implement activities undertaken in October, which is AAC Awareness Month.  The committee is chaired by Tina Moreno, USSAAC’s Vice President for People who use AAC and Their Families.  Members include Pippa Bailey; Christina Byun; Jennifer Cristiano; Beth Christensen; Yoo Sun Chung; Thanh Diep; Lori Ann Geist; Krista Howard; Scott and Ron Kuebler; Mateo Moreno; Tracy Rackensberger; Tyson Renze and Raphael Tomkin.

The committee is working on a plan to share video messages from people who use AAC throughout the month of October on social media. These videos will share personal experiences, suggestions for professionals, pointers for speaking with individuals who use AAC and more.  Look for details on how you can submit a video to be included in this campaign in future letters.

We need you!  Are you interested in writing a blog for USSAAC? Details for prospective authors can be found at » Guest Author Guidelines (ussaac.org)

Registration is open for our upcoming webinar, April 27, 2022 at 7 pm eastern, “Exploring AAC Access to Swearing, Expletives, and Slang”. As you know, members get early access to registration (and ASHA CEUs are included at no cost) but seats are limited, so sign up today athttps://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Uaf5nfj_TfiNhXFVhGLiJw

Save the date!  June 22, 2022, 7 pm eastern.  The 2022 hurricane season begins in June, so it is fitting that our June webinar will address Maintaining Communication Access, Encouraging Disaster Preparedness.  Registration details coming soon!

Do you have ideas for topics or presenters (including yourself?) – let us know! Email Betsy at education@ussaac.org

Stay up-to-date on USSAAC activities and follow us on Facebook!  https://www.facebook.com/ussaac1

Best,

Amy S. Goldman, President

Errata:  With apologies for omitting Tina Caswell from the listing of members of USSAAC’s Disaster Relief Committee in the March 2022 President’s Letter!

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