Registration Open!
CONFERENCE DETAILS
WHAT: Join us for the 2024 NWACS Virtual Fall Conference! We will spend a day learning from Kelly Fonner as she presents:
Literacy for All Levels of AAC Communicators
AM: Literacy for Emergent AAC Communicators | PM: Literacy for Experienced AAC Communicators
WHO: This will be an intermediate-level course. Attendees should have a foundational knowledge of AAC and how it is used.
Everyone is welcome to attend (including SLPs, Teachers, Parents/Guardians, AAC users, Para-educators, OTs, Administrators, Related Service Providers - anyone with an interest)!
WHEN: Saturday, October 5, 2024 (full-day conference)
8:30 am - 4 pm Pacific (with a lunch break 12 - 1 pm)
WHERE: Online (Zoom)
REGISTRATION FEE: $99
If $99 is a financial hardship, please contact us to discuss a “pay what you can” option for this learning opportunity.
Kelly Fonner, MS
SPEAKER: Kelly Fonner, M.S., Educational Assistive Technology Trainer and Consultant
Kelly is a self-employed consultant and trainer in assistive and educational technology. She has presented in the United States and internationally. She presents on a wide range of topics including
technology integration
augmentative communication
computer access
literacy,
electronic writing,
assistive technology assessment and implementation strategies
Kelly has a B.S. in special education. And an M.S. in educational technology with a minor in special education/rehabilitation technology. She also holds an Assistive Technology Applications Certificate of Learning. She has pursued additional studies in adult and urban education.
Kelly has been working with individuals with disabilities since the mid-70s. She has worked with assistive technologies since 1983. Her teaching experiences have been as a
instructional media specialist
assistive technology consultant
teacher assistant
teacher
in early childhood, preschool, and school-age programs. Read more about Kelly on her website.
Find Kelly online: website | YouTube
ABOUT: There is a converging body of research that has identified five essential elements of effective reading instruction:
Phonemic Awareness
Phonics
Fluency
Vocabulary
Text Comprehension
There is evidence that a student's level of communication is an indicator of literacy success. Communication and literacy are intertwined.
This session will look at how to include students who use AAC in learning to read and write. And comprehend the text and materials they are reading. Strategies and suggestions will be divided into the level at which a student is communicating. Examples will incorporate both reading and writing activities. Many of the AAC and literacy tools you already have access to or that may be easily attained will be incorporated. Various technology supports will be shared for
pre-reading
during-reading and
post-reading activities.
These strategies will enable your AAC communicators to be successful and to comprehend text they are reading daily. The session will be divided to focus on Emergent AAC Communicators in the morning and Experienced AAC Communicators in the afternoon.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Participants will be able to…
target literacy activities by the type of communication interactions they promote
systematically include AAC in reading and writing activities for emergent communicators
systematically include AAC in reading and writing activities for experienced communicators
CONTINUING EDUCATION
This course offers the following continuing education credits:
SLPs: This conference provides 6.0 hours of professional development which count toward the Certification Maintenance Hours required to maintain ASHA certification. Read more about how to count NWACS conference hours toward your ASHA professional development requirements HERE.
WA School District Employees: This conference provides 6 OSPI CECH
THANK YOU DONORS!
The conference committee is busily working on all the things to make our conference spectacular! Watch this space!
Scholarship Fund: Our annual conference is for all stakeholders, including parents and providers. This educational event is to learn more about AAC so that we all can better support AAC users. We do not want financial hardship to keep anyone from being able to attend. You can help our Scholarship Fund with a small $5 - 10 donation. Thank you!
You may donate through PayPal by clicking the Donate to NWACS button at the bottom of the page, or by mailing a check to 19316 Sprague Drive, Bothell, WA 98012
