When you are thinking about AAC on a daily basis, sometimes it's easy to forget about what's really important. Let's take some time away from thinking about tools and strategies and reflect on the power that AAC really has!
The
Breaking the ICE Conference (BTI) is created by and for people who use
augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). This year the conference theme was: "Melting the Barriers: Our Stories". There are many informal and formal
opportunities for people to socialize and share ideas. ICE stands for independence,
community, and empowerment.
All the
presenters used speech generating devices (SGD’s) to talk about their
experiences and tips for attending the upcoming International Society forAugmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) 2016 conference which will
be in Toronto this year.
One special
feature of the BTI conference is known as “town hall”. During this part of the
conference people who use AAC are the only ones allowed to express themselves.
The event is always chaired by at least one (sometimes two) people who use AAC
(PWUAAC). The Chairs are responsible for determining topics for discussion.
They send the topics and/or questions out ahead of the conference so that
people can think about and compose messages ahead of time. However, lots of times the conversation veers
off in different directions as people respond to each other.
As a silent
observer (because I do not use AAC), I look forward to this event as it teaches
me so much. This year I reflect back on it and see that I learned:
· How to patiently listen and wait for
a full message – this quiets my mind;
· The universal nature of being human
– this helps me see the whole person;
· How important communication is for
social closeness and sharing – this reminds me of how important it is for people
to express themselves and be actively involved in conversation.
When I
pause to think about what I talk about with my friends, I realize that mostly
we tell stories about our lives – we tell stories that reveal a little bit
about what it’s like to be ourselves and live our lives.
This year
Nola Millin chaired with behind the scenes assistance from Paul Marshall. Paul
was not able to attend in person, but he did send an inspiring audio message. He
said it best, “Town Hall is the heart of the conference”.
My dream is
that children just beginning to use AAC will attend the next conference (in
2017) and participate in Town Hall. The
people who use their AAC methods competently will be excellent models for the
children. They will learn that they have a right to be heard!
Check out
Breaking the ICE Facebook for photos of this year’s conference.
October was AAC awareness month, a time to reflect and a time to spread the word. Across the world many activities took place to shine a light on why augmentative communication is so important for so many. Let's take a quick tour around the globe and reflect on some of the AAC Awareness Activities that took place.
October was AAC awareness month, a time to reflect and a time to spread the word. Across the world many activities took place to shine a light on why augmentative communication is so important for so many. Let's take a quick tour around the globe and reflect on some of the AAC Awareness Activities that took place.
Starting in England...
At the Bridge College in Cheshire, the staff spent a day communicating using only AAC strategies and tools.Their aim was to gain insight into life at the college for students with communication difficulties. Following the experience staff reported being more aware of the challenges facing their students who rely on AAC each and every day. They also noted that their heightened awareness of some of the challenges has resulted in them changing the way they communicate with their students, for example allowing more time for students to respond. Check out the photo gallery and read about their experiences at the link above.
At Smartbox, in Malvern, England, communication aids and cake were combined at the No Speech for Smartbox day!
At the Bridge College in Cheshire, the staff spent a day communicating using only AAC strategies and tools.Their aim was to gain insight into life at the college for students with communication difficulties. Following the experience staff reported being more aware of the challenges facing their students who rely on AAC each and every day. They also noted that their heightened awareness of some of the challenges has resulted in them changing the way they communicate with their students, for example allowing more time for students to respond. Check out the photo gallery and read about their experiences at the link above.
At Smartbox, in Malvern, England, communication aids and cake were combined at the No Speech for Smartbox day!
In addition to their "Power of Communication" DVD, Communication Matters has released a few short videos for AAC Awareness month.
In London, Ontario, the Augmentative Communication Service (ACS) at TVCC welcomed other staff members for Movie Time (complete with popcorn)! They showed the following videos and the audience was invited to use AAC strategies to communicate!
Chris Klein, presenting a Ted Talk: "Seeing Unique Abilities"
Meet Thasya in the Praactical AAC Video of the Week "No Introduction Needed"
Hear "Thomas's Story" on You Tube
Moving to Croatia...
A silent coffee took place at the University of Zagreb, at which students interacted with each other using text messages, communication apps, pencil and paper, chalk boards, and manual signs.
From India:
The Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy (ICCP) showcased the works of Ankur, a disability rights group whose members include a bright group of young people who use AAC. This year's exhibition presented six Ankur posters with short stories and essays with accompanying paintings and photographs, three Power Point presentations with recorded sound effects, a stylized pictorial booklet and a video by a person who uses AAC, with recorded voice-over, music and sound effects.
