Dear Friends: It is hard to believe that the summer season is drawing to a close, and that you – or the students you know – may be back to school already! I hope you have successfully endured (and were prepared for!) the heat, humidity and storms that 2023 brought us in June, July and early August! ISAAC Conference Congratulations to all who participated in ISAAC Cancun’s world-class educational program, as presenters, exhibitors, or “just” attendees! It was excellent to meet up with old and new friends from all over the world, in real life! Special thanks to USSAAC conference co-chairs Miriam ..read more

Dear Friends: I hope you are finding “news you can use” in these monthly newsletters!  FYI, past letters are posted at ISAAC – Chapter News (isaac-online.org).  The July newsletter will be the “ISAAC Cancun” edition, in which we will highlight USSAAC members’ presentations. If you want your session(s) included, please send your session number, day, time, and title to president@ussaac.org  by July 15. Mini-grants Amplifying AAC Voices Mini-Grants (up to $1000) are still available! AAC Grants may address issues at the local, state, regional, or national level.  Applicants mus ..read more

The Disaster Relief Committee has updated the Readiness and Relief & Recovery pages for 2022. Recent floods and start of the hurricane season USSAAC has information and tools to be ready for natural disasters. Also we have resources to help people regain communication right after a natural disaster ..read more

Dear Friends: USSAAC has many activities underway!  I hope you find this monthly correspondence of interest. ISAAC 2023 News I am pleased to announce the USSAAC leaders who, along with Gabriela Berlanga, will be co-chairing the ISAAC Cancun conference in 2023!   A BIG THANK YOU to USSAAC Past President Yoo Sun Chung and Disaster Relief Committee member Miriam Boesch for stepping up!  And word has it that the ISAAC 2023 Call for Papers is coming in June, so start thinking about a paper or poster proposal today. Committee highlight:  Membership Committee USSAAC has many activ ..read more

Flyer New Mexico Fires ..read more

April 2022 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 objec ..read more

March 2022 Dear Friends: It’s Spring!  Can summer be far behind?  If you are a USSAAC member and staff a summer program for children or adults who use AAC, please let me know.  We have a dedicated page on our website where we will list your program! 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:  Disaster Relief Committee (DRC):  USSAAC’s committee addressing emergency prepa ..read more

February, 2022 Dear Friends: I was delighted to greet almost two dozen members and prospective members in person at ATIA last month.  One of highlights of the meeting was the drawing for a free ATIA 2023 registration from the pool of “early birds” who joined or renewed by December 31, 2021.  Congratulations to our winner, Heather Miller Schwartz!  Stay tuned for information about a virtual membership meeting in the Spring.   Another way to stay up-to-date on USSAAC activities is to follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ussaac1 By now you have probably heard t ..read more

Past-President, Yoo Sun Chung, Explains why USSAAC Emergency Toolkit is needed. USSAAC is collaborating with researchers from Florida State University, George Mason University, Ohio State University, San Jose State University, the University of North Texas, and Binghamton University to better understand preparation for emergencies or disasters for individuals who use AAC. We need your help! Participants are being recruited for a research study about developing a text-based toolkit for individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). This toolkit is designed to help with d ..read more

USSAAC is supporting a research study investigating the perspectives of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the AAC community, including folks who use AAC and their families. We know that there is more to do in allyship with these AAC stakeholders and we are starting with a study to explore how professionals are currently supporting them. We aim to determine the extent that the BIPOC AAC community feels represented or underrepresented related to their cultural differences within the field of AAC. By seeking direct input, this participatory action research aims to include and prom ..read more