NORTHAMPTON, MA – Imagine how isolating and frustrating it would be if you couldn’t speak clearly enough to be understood. There are many students across Massachusetts in this situation.
Luckily, a variety of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ACC) strategies and technological supports can give these students a voice, and provide a means for them to develop their communication and literacy skills both at home and in school.
Assistive technology professionals from the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) will provide area educators with an overview of current technologies, strategies, and best practices for engaging and communicating with students who have little or no speech.
The AAC workshop will take place over the course of two days (April 11th and 17th) at CES, 97 Hawley Street, Northampton. For more information about registration, please contact: Jill Robinson at (413) 586-4900 x 183 or jrobinson@collaborative.org.
“The training will give educators a better understanding of the many AAC supports available, as well as evidence-based practices they can use to develop communicative competence in students with moderate to severe communication impairments,” said Jeanne Tuthill, MA, CCC-SLP, Assistive Technology Specialist at the CES’s Center for Assistive Technology and Training (CCATT).
“We are looking forward to providing this hands-on learning experience so participants can explore these strategies and tools, Tuthill added.
Nationally known as a leader in the field of assistive technology, CCATT assists individuals, families and professionals in the selection, acquisition, and use of assistive technology.
Assistive technology is any device or service that makes life easier and improves the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. A comprehensive range of the Center?s services includes assessments, consultation, and professional development to help schools address universal access concerns and maximize participation and inclusion for all learners._
For more information on the AAC workshop visit: Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Workshop. For more information on the CCATT center visit: CCATT.