In the summer of 2005, a Category 5 hurricane named Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of the United States. People with disabilities suffered greatly, including those who rely on augmentative communication. Their service and educational facilities were severely damaged, while family and attendant care support was interrupted by separation and relocation. USSAAC announced a need for support, following which a number of concerned USSAAC members formed an Action Group to address emergency preparedness within all levels of government, to support both people who rely on AAC and recovery efforts in the Gulf States. In February 2008, a very successful, fully registered conference, AAC and All That Jazz, was held in New Orleans to realize the Action Group’s goals. A follow-up conference, Gulf Coast Augmentative Communication Conference, will be held in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, from September 30 to October 1, 2008.

In association with these initiatives, Augmentative Communication News (ACN) Vol. 19 #4 focused on CHE, highlighting the first-hand reports of people who experienced Hurricane Katrina. Contributors point out that CHE can happen anytime, to anyone, anywhere. Clearly the most profound impacts are felt locally. However, a regional, national and international response and planning effort is required to ensure that the needs of people with complex communication needs are taken into account, which, currently, they are not. Thanks to Augmentative Communication Inc. for sharing this information with the ISAAC community. Further information about AAC and CHEs will be available at Leading the Way, the ISAAC Biennial Conference to be held from August 4 to 7, 2008, in Montreal, Canada.