The International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) established International AAC Awareness Month in October 2007. It is celebrated around the world each October. The goal is to raise awareness of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and to inform the public about the many different ways in which people communicate using communication devices and other visual communication supports.

ISAAC has chosen “Bridging the Silence Through Solidarity” as this year’s theme for International AAC Awareness Month. ISAAC also asks that we use the hashtag #AACaware20 on social media.

Let’s agree to unite in action this AAC Awareness Month! Explore new ideas. Learn - something new to you or go deeper on a familiar topic. Share with others. Do AAC!

Here are some ideas for inspiration:

• Register for the 2020 NWACS Online Fall Conference (happening October 17th)

• Explore our AAC/AT Education page to find a just right learning opportunity

• Communication Matters (UK) will be hosting a series of virtual events every Thursday afternoon in October: 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th at 3.30 PM UK-time (7:30am Pacific Time, and will be available online for 30 days to watch at your convenience); registration is ~$26 for all 5 sessions

• Play AAC Trivia until Oct 5th! Visit Attainment Company’s Facebook page - click on the Giveaway tab. Created in collaboration with ISAAC for AAC Awareness Month

• Explore these Wakelets of AAC Resources by Kristin Powell and Nicholas Ford

• Check out the Keep Talking book (free download from Call Scotland website) with activity ideas

• Get singing with these Coreaoke playlists from AAC Family Fun

• On Instagram? Check out The Great AAC Challenge 2020 (@thegreataacchallenge2020)

• Check out these daily AAC challenges from the Beenleigh Special School in Australia

• Commit to literacy for all

  • read Comprehensive Literacy For All: Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities to Read and Write by Erickson and Koppenhaver (consider checking out these Facebook group book clubs HERE and HERE to supplement your reading)

  • take Jane Farrall’s course: Introduction to Comprehensive Literacy Instruction for Students with CCN (~$130 US regular price / ~$65 US parent/carer)

• Volunteer with NWACS! Our Outreach Committee (headed by board member Margaret) is just getting started and we are seeking volunteers. Or choose another way to get involved, such as filling one of our board member roles we are currently recruiting for, writing for the blog, or working on other special projects. Send us an email to let us know your interest!

What should we add to this list? Check back throughout the month to see if we’ve found more ideas!

Looking for more ideas to help you unite in action with our AAC community? Check out the list of ideas we shared in previous years HERE, HERE and HERE.

Stay connected with NWACS through our blog, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Facebook page for more throughout the month and beyond!

How are you getting involved in AAC Awareness Month? Tell us on social media or below in comments!