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 “Get Out, Speak Up and Break through the Screen in a Recovering World” as this year’s theme for International AAC Awareness Month. ISAAC also asks that we use the hashtag #AACaware21 on social media.

Let’s agree to get out and speak up 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 2021 NWACS Online Fall Conference (happening October 16th)

• NEW to AAC? Explore our Learn About AAC page

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

• Check out these ISAAC webinars and USSAAC webinars happening in October

• Support the USSAAC Virtual Auction fundraiser to fund their new AAC Speaker Connection. More information is available on HERE

• Listen to episodes #131 - 145 (part of Season 5) of the Lomah Disability Podcast which focused on literacy instruction for students with significant disabilities

• Check out Interviews with Click Speck Connect on the Click Speak Connect Facebook page (recorded last year)

• Learn from AAC users at the Connect with Me Conference presented by Click Speak Connect

• Check out the AAC Awareness Webinars from Avaz: Insights with Avaz 2021

• The Beenleigh Special School (Australia) is posting different challenges each day on their Facebook page

• A new video will be posted to the Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (South Africa) Facebook page

• Check out this post from Lauren Enders about AAC/AT app sales happening for AAC Awareness Month

• Volunteer with NWACS! 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 get out and speak up with our AAC community? Check out the list of ideas we shared in previous years HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.

Stay connected with NWACS through our email newsletter (subscribe to our email list below), blog, website, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook 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!