The International AAC Awareness Day:

About the project: ISAAC and its national Chapters are leading a first-time-ever world wide event to bring attention to children who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) because of conditions like Autism and Cerebral Palsy. AAC Awareness Day, a Community and Class Room School Event, will be held during the month of October 2007 and annually thereafter.  The goal of this Event is to get the entire world talking, not only with AAC, but about AAC.

Who is involved?

For whom?

This event will happen this October in 14 countries and 5 continents around the world;   along with over 10,000 school aged kids and countless others they interact with them.  People will become involved with augmentative and alternate communication.  At each Event, schools and community centres will designate an AAC Event day, and participants will be asked to discuss a topic using any means other than their voices for 20 minutes. The topic would be described by the teacher or community leader in words and in AAC symbols.

Participating Countries:

Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, France, Finland, India, Italy, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan, United States of America.

Become a volunteer:  If you would like to be more involved in this great project e-mail Sarah Lever.

How you can help.

You can read about the events that are scheduled by clicking on a country listed below.  It is very exciting to know that events are scheduled in thirteen countries on five continents, potentially reaching out to over 10,000 youth and countless others they interact with. The United States Chapter of ISAAC, USSAAC, has designated October 1^st as AAC Day. In an effort to keep things simple for the inaugural event, USSAAC has provided a model for schools to work from, which can be found in the article on this page.

So you love this concept, and you think you can provide the support to make this event a reality in your town, but what do you get in return? First, you get the support from USSAAC’s International AAC Awareness Committee and ISAAC’s International AAC Awareness Task Force. They will work with individuals on the ground to provide guidance in following the proposed lesson plan, send you a media kit including a “professionally written press release to help promote the event, include your town in national press, and connect you with other event organizers. You will also be getting t-shirts for the participants to wear during the event – a valuable promotion tool for AAC long after the day passes. (Not to mention, who doesn’t like a free t-shirt!)