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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.
ISAAC has chosen “Show Your Voice” as this year’s theme for International AAC Awareness Month. ISAAC also asks that we use the hashtag #AACaware22 on social media.
Challenge yourself to learn something new about AAC. Share that new knowledge with someone else!
Take time to “show a voice” by sharing different technologies and methods people use to communicate.
Educate others on the communication rights of people with disabilities.
Here are some ideas for inspiration:
LEARN & SHARE
Register for the 2022 NWACS Virtual Fall Conference (happening October 15th)
Read and share this blog post by AAC user Beth Moulam: A to Z of AAC
Explore our Learn About AAC page
You will find some great free online learning videos in our Communication Partner Training resource!
Watch the recording of a past NWACS AAC Information Night for Caregivers
Explore our AAC/AT Education resource or Calendar to find a just right learning opportunity
SHOW
Hire an AAC User to speak at an upcoming event! Check out USSAAC’s AAC Speaker Connection for potential speakers.
See AAC in action at the free Connect With Me Conference (online event)! The presenters all use AAC and will be presenting on various AAC-related topics.
Explore our AAC/AT Companies resource to learn about different technologies - and then share what you discovered with someone else!
Print a communication board (find one HERE) and try using it to communicate throughout the month. Or share it with someone else to show a voice!
Follow us on social media! Like, share, and comment on our posts throughout the month.
EDUCATE
Read and share our series on the Communication Bill of Rights
OTHER
Check out this post from Lauren Enders Gonzales, MA, CCC-SLP about AAC/AT sales happening for AAC Awareness Month (click here for a screen reader-friendly version)
Volunteer with NWACS! Send us an email to let us know your interest.
Check back throughout the month to see if we’ve found more ideas!
Looking for more ideas to help you get out and show a voice with our AAC community? Check out the ideas we shared in previous years: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
Stay connected with NWACS through our email newsletter (subscribe to our email list below), blog, website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more throughout the month and beyond!
How are you celebrating and promoting AAC this AAC Awareness Month? Tell us on social media or below in comments!
