by Susan Garber, Executive Director - Western MD TAP
News you can use...from the ISAAC Conference held August 3-6, 2000.
This year's conference of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication was held in Crystal City, Virginia. There was a wealth of information exchanged in sessions and in the exhibit hall. Here are just a few items I considered highlights.
1. ACOLOG is a LISTSERV created to exchange ideas, information and experiences on augmentative communication by people from all over the world. It has blossomed over the past four years to become an on-line community where information is exchanged, friendships are forged and wisdom is shared. ACOLUG has also grown to include a web site, where members can "meet" each other, revue the archives of messages and obtain information. When you visit www.temple.edu/inst_disabilites/ACOLUG you will find directions on how to subscribe free of charge.
Since augmentative communication users are dramatically unemployed and underemployed (more than 85%) the ACOLUG web site has expanded to include an online bi-monthly forum on employment. Paid consultants who are augmented communicators lead the sessions as guest presenters.
ACOLUG is appropriate for students, adults, family members and professionals working with AAC.
2. Several companies are producing books of ideas to assist teachers, therapists, or family members with creative strategies for integrating AAC and other assistive devices into everyday activities. One from Adaptivation is called "Recipes for Success" and includes wonderfully creative ideas. Ablenet is now producing "The Literacy Experience" a newsletter packed with information, ideas, and resources for including students with severe disabilities in literacy experience. An annual subscription includes five issues.
