Northeast AAC Summit: NYC

The 5^th Northeast AAC Summit: NYC brought professionals from different backgrounds together with the collective goal of building independent communicators. This one-day gathering was held on the ninth floor of the beautiful, historic News Building in Midtown Manhattan, which is also the home of our gracious site host YAI: Seeing Beyond Disability.

Participants were empowered to think about developing communication for the lifespan. PRC-Saltillo Ambassador Charlie Fleisch demonstrated the possibilities of AAC with his high level of proficiency and self-advocacy. Many thanks to Charlie and his sister for their support of this joyful day of learning.

The Summit’s focus expanded on the core belief that everyone deserves a voice. “Believing everyone deserves to be a reader and a writer is important to professionals helping pre-literate students as well as supporting our already literate students to do more with technology like PowerPoint and texting,” said local PRC-Saltillo Consultant for New York Catherine Brumback, M.A., CCC-SLP. “At the Summit, we taught more ways to help professionals assist students with today’s communication tools.”

Northeast AAC Summit Presentations

Summit presentations focused on literacy for individuals who use AAC and making sure they have access to adult vocabularies for conversations that include mature topics and self-advocacy. Special thanks to the following professionals for presenting at the fall NYC event:

• Gretchen Hanser, PhD, MS, OTR/L                                   
• Tova Horowitz, M.S. Ed
• Taylor Lewis, M.A. Ed
• Christina Lompado, M.S., CCC-SLP, TSSLD, ATP
• Gemma White, M.S. CCC-SLP

Many resources were shared during the event including the book Comprehensive Literacy for All: Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities to Read and Write by Karen A. Erickson, Ph.D. and David A. Koppenhaver, Ph.D. “Knowing where to start with literacy can feel daunting. This book, as well as the "Getting Ready to Read" literacy and communication instructional program on the AAC Language Lab, are important tools to become familiar with no matter the individual’s AAC vocabulary,” noted Catherine. If you’re looking for a Summit follow-up action, get a copy from your library or local bookstore to encourage competencies for your AAC communicators.

Northeast AAC Summit Discussions

Town hall sessions opened and closed the inquisitive, connective day—a new tradition that PRC-Saltillo’s Northeast Regional Team plans to continue at future events. Educators, speech-language pathologists, assistive technology specialists, and physical therapists enjoyed the opportunity to ask questions and learn from one another. “I met many new faces who are at the start of their professional AAC journey,” said Catherine. “Their energy and excitement to help others find success with AAC is exciting!”

Attendees shared their appreciation for the training and discussion time:

• “There were lots of opportunities to brainstorm solutions with other practitioners and I appreciated that various apps were discussed”
• “Interaction, approachability, resources”
• “I loved the opportunity to hear people's questions and answers and reconnect with the consultants”

Participants are encouraged to continue learning. Contact your local consultant with questions or visit aaclearningjourney.com to explore your options for eLearning and in-person regional events.

Save the Date for Northeast AAC Summit: Worcester, Massachusetts

The Northeast regional team is looking forward to the 6^th Northeast AAC Summit: Worcester, Massachusetts on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Our theme is AAC through the Lifespan: It Takes a Village! Gather with AAC professionals and teams for connection and collaboration. Learn more about the Spring 2025 Summit and make plans to join the conversation!