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SpeakUp Blog


Spreading the Importance of Enhancing Communication Access

By Tracy Rackensperger, Ph.D., Yoo Sun Chung, Ph.D., Jamie Gibbs, M.Ed., and Dana Lopez, SLP Yoo Sun Chung, Jamie Gibbs, Dana Lopez, and Tracy Rackensperger presented during the  Breaking Barriers:…


Celebrate AAC Awareness Month This Year

New SpeakUp! blog post on an AAC awareness campaign funded by USSAAC mini grant program.


AAC Peer Support Models

Bob Williams and Lateef McLeod describe an initiative on peer support models for people who use AAC


Grief & Communication

Mike Hipple shares his personal story of realizing how grief affects his communication and recommendations for professionals on how to support people who use AAC with grief and loss.


USSAAC Leaders & Legends: Lew Golinker

Today we honor, Lew Golinker! As an attorney and advocate, Lew Golinker has been instrumental in advocating for funding of speech-generating devices for people who use AAC in the United States. He was a key figure in the development of the funding mechanism for speech-generating devices through Medicare and Medicaid opening access to thousands of people who were and are in need of equipment. At the same time, Lew is a generous person, happy to advocate for anyone who's experienced an insurance denial for a speech-generating device. We can't overstate our gratitude to Lew for helping our community. Read more to learn about Lew's experiences as an attorney advocating for decades for people who use AAC.


Reflections on ISAAC Conference – Cancún

Ben Gibbs, a person that uses AAC, shares their experiences at ISAAC Conference - Cancún


Portrait of author, Mike Hipple

Homecoming Week & AAC

Mike Hipple shares his suggestion for making homecoming week events in high school accessible to people who use AAC


SpeakUp! & AACT: Thanh Diep on SGD Funding Experiences

Thanh Diep shares all about her personal experiences as a person who uses AAC with insurance funding a new speech-generating device (SGD).


USSAAC Leaders & Legends: Gregg Vanderheiden

Today, we honor Gregg Vanderheiden. As a graduate student, Gregg invented a speech-generating device. He played an important role in both the definition of the field of AAC and the formation of ISAAC. Gregg founded the TRACE center where he directed projects that were instrumental in accessibility features for the past 50 years.


How Does That Make You Feel? Examining Emotional Effects of AAC Usage

Meggin Nunamaker describes the Emotional Effects of using an AAC system as a person who uses AAC.


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