Students with visual impairments including those who have additional/multiple disabilities use myriad modalities for expressive communication, the selection and design of which must be individualized to each student’s unique sensory and communication needs and preferences. Professionals working with, and families of these students, benefit from a thorough understanding of the unique considerations guiding student-centered communication assessment, which leads to successful AAC programming and implementation. This session will cover in detail the range of best practices that go into AAC assessment, and the role of various members of the collaborative team in supporting this process. Participants will learn about a variety of AAC modalities, and how assessment supports the selection and design of AAC modes that are accessible and meaningful for their students.

Instructors:  Chris Russell, MS. Ed., TVI  and Stacy Stosic, MS, CCC-SLP