Please Join Us for a Training

 Making Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) a Reality: From Assessment to Funding

 Hosted by: Tools for Life, Georgia’s Assistive Technology Act Program

Wednesday November 14, 2012
9:00AM to 4:00PM
Georgia Tech Centergy Building - 3rd Floor Hodges Room
75 Fifth Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30308

Click here for directions.

This session will address current approaches and challenges to providing appropriate augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services to people with complex communication needs, especially those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. During this time we will also discuss strategies for addressing funding barriers specifically in Georgia.

PRESENTERS:

• Amy S. Goldman, Co-executive Director of the Institute on Disabilities, Director of the Pennsylvania Initiative on Assistive Technology, University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at Temple University
• Naomi Walker, Program Director, Georgia Advocacy Office

AGENDA:

9:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Registration
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM          
Welcome and Introductions - Carolyn Phillips and Liz Persaud, Tools for Life
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM        
Background; Communication Bill of Rights
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM       
Functional communication:  Implications for assessment and intervention
11:30AM - 12:00PM         
Providing appropriate services to people with complex communication needs, especially individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM        
Break for Lunch on Your Own
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM         
Making Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) a Reality - Funding Speech Generating Devices – Amy Goldman, Temple University and Naomi Walker, Georgia Advocacy Office
2:30 PM - 2:50 PM         
Resources for learning more about AAC
2:50 PM - 3:50 PM         
Tools for Life Assistive Technology Device Demonstrations and Show & Tell - Carolyn Phillips and Martha Rust, Tools for Life
3:50 PM - 4:00 PM         
Wrap up and Training Evaluation - Carolyn Phillips, Tools for Life

SPEAKERS:
Amy S. Goldman is the co-executive director of the Institute on Disabilities, University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at Temple University. She directs Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology, the Commonwealth’s “Assistive Technology (AT) Act” Program and other statewide assistive technology-related programs and services. As a licensed speech-language pathologist, Amy’s career has focused on the area of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and especially, access to AAC for people with developmental disabilities. Amy is the immediate past chair of the steering committee of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Special Interest Group on AAC.

Naomi Walker, J.D., is an attorney with the Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO).  She has worked for 17 years with the Assistive Technology program (PAAT) at the GAO.  In this capacity, Naomi has worked with and on behalf of individuals who are in need of equipment, including augmentative communication devices.  She has guided people so that they can be their best advocates and worked towards breaking down barriers for people.

If you have any questions about this training, accommodations or need more information please contact, Liz Persaud at liz.persaud@gatfl.gatech.edu or 404-385-6573.

We look forward to seeing you there!