NWACS Outreach Committee
The goal of NWACS' Outreach Committee is to reach the broader AAC community. Our goal is to provide:
information
support
resources
We desire to support people in our AAC community and their endeavors to support all things AAC. We are committed to providing supports identified by the community. We are here to serve you and welcome any suggestions you have to make learning about and using AAC easier.
Cass Griffin Bennett
Cass is the NWACS Outreach Coordinator.
Email your questions and/or suggestions to her attention at: info@nwacs.info
Volunteers for the Outreach Committee are always welcome. If interested in joining the Outreach Committee, contact Cass (info@nwacs.info) to volunteer. We’d love to have you!
Cass is also available to speak to teams, groups, and organizations about her family’s experience with early access to AAC! If you would like to learn more, contact Cass at info@nwacs.info.
Upcoming Outreach Events:
Join us for our next Parent Meetup!
1st Sunday of the Month
WHAT: NWACS is hosting a virtual meetup for parents of AAC users who are gestalt language processors.
Do you have a gestalt language processing (GLP) kid who uses augmentative-alternative communication (AAC)?
Do you want to connect with other parents on similar (yet diverse) journeys?
Then this meetup is for you!
This is a space where we can connect and share stories, successes, and challenges. This group is meant to connect parents in the community and to celebrate our GLPs.
WHEN: Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 3 pm Pacific Time
WHERE: on Zoom (link will be posted here closer to the event; no registration needed)
Link to event page on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/4gh2WRfDi
Future AAC + GLP Virtual Parent Meetups
The NWACS Outreach Committee aims to host virtual AAC + GLP Parent Meetups on the first Sunday of the month.
As a meetup date gets closer, details will be posted on this page and in the NWACS Family AAC Group on Facebook. We will also share via email to our subscribers (scroll down to sign up!) and on our Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter) social media accounts.
Join us for our next Study Buddies!
3rd Monday of the Month
WHAT: NWACS is hosting a virtual study group to explore resources on the NWACS website. Participation is self-paced and what to study self-selected from the NWACS website.
Do you want to learn more about AAC?
Do you benefit from and enjoy the community of ‘study buddies’ to help you in your pursuit of increasing your understanding?
Come to NWACS Study Buddies meetings!
WHEN: Monday, May 20, 2024 at 6 pm Pacific Time
WHERE: on Zoom (link will be posted here closer to the event; no registration needed)
Link to event page on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/26iWAQTh6
WHY: From NWACS Outreach Coordinator Cass Griffin Bennett:
“I have been quasi-joking that I want to “Book Club” the NWACS website since before I joined the Board. There’s just so much excellent information, for all kinds of AAC stakeholders. And even though I’m a board member, there’s a ton I haven’t read.
Rather than top-downing what folks have to read, the idea here is that everyone will pick their own individual “to read/watch” selection for the next month — whether it’s a blog post, a video, an article, or even a book — based on their own needs and priorities.
We each share what we plan to ‘study’ over the next month with each other. If others want to join in on what someone else picks, they can, but no pressure. When we meet the following month we’ll chat about things that came up for us, share, and then start the process over again, with the boost and encouragement of community.
Everyone is starting at different places and has different priorities, so participation will be self-paced and what to study self-selected. Participants will pick what appeals to their particular areas of interest and needs.
Whether you’re a parent just starting out like I was two years ago or an SLP who has been at it a decade+, there’s always more to learn when it comes to AAC. I hope you’ll join us!”
Future Study Buddies Virtual Meetings
The NWACS Outreach Committee aims to host virtual Study Buddies meetings on the third Monday of the month.
As a meeting date gets closer, details will be posted on this page and in the NWACS Family AAC Group on Facebook. We will also share via email to our subscribers (scroll down to sign up!) and on our Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter) social media accounts.
Resources to Explore:
AAC Information for Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers
Your AAC questions answered! Augmentative and Alternative Communication, or AAC, is a complex topic. It can be overwhelming to learn about, get, and implement AAC for a person with complex communication needs (CCN). NWACS supports all stakeholders in understanding and raising awareness of AAC.
Explore the topics on our For Parents, For Educators, or For Providers pages.
AAC Information Nights for Caregivers
In the past, the NWACS Outreach Committee hosted virtual AAC Information Nights for Caregivers. We are exploring a new approach to provide information to and empower caregivers. We will share more information as this develops.
You can watch recordings of the past NWACS Information Nights for Caregivers.
Facebook Group for Caregivers
Get connected with families and caregivers by joining the Family AAC (hosted by NWACS) group on Facebook.
