The purpose of the Indiana AAC Summit is to bring people together from across the state for networking, sharing resources, celebrating successes and working through challenges in order to provide high-quality AAC services for individuals with complex communication needs.
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) includes all forms of communication (other than oral speech) that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas. We all use AAC when we make facial expressions or gestures, use symbols or pictures, or write. AAC communicators
often use a combination of strategies that may include speech-generating devices and manual communication boards.
Our presenters are all front-line providers of AAC. Teachers, parents, paraprofessionals, speech-language pathologists, behavior therapists, occupational therapists and administrators come together to learn from one another in order to improve services for those who use AAC to communicate.
Beth Waite-Lafever and Beth Browning, speech-language pathologists specializing in AAC, created the concept of the Indiana AAC Summit over dinner one night in 2013. The first annual conference was held in 2015. And the rest is, well, history.
Indiana AAC Summit 2024 focused on Innovating Through Collaboration and provided multiple sessions for Attendees from local presenters.
Indiana AAC Summit 2023 continued our traditions of local Speakers and multiple sessions for Attendees, including topics such as improving services to individuals who are deaf/blind and creating new opportunities for
AAC device users who are beyond school age.
We Are Back!
Indiana AAC Summit 2022 was a great success and we enjoyed seeing everyone in person again. With excellent presenters and Attendees from all over the state, the Summit is back!
Refresh Renew Reflect
Feeling Zoomed out? Tired of staring at a screen? So are we! It's still hard to plan in-person events; let's take a year off to recharge. There will be no conference this year. Follow us on Facebook for details for next year's conference.
Due to 2020's unusual circumstances, we have decided to offer online trainings for FREE.
For the Indiana AAC Summit's five-year anniversary, we sponsored an internationally-known speaker in a very large venue, heard from local presenters, and had cake.
Our 2018 conference expanded our breakout sessions and included discussion panels.
A larger venue in 2017 for more Attendees allowed all-group trainings as well as breakout sessions.
The second Indiana AAC Summit, with even more Attendees, 18 different breakout sessions, and T-shirts!
Our first Indiana AAC Summit, with far more Attendees than expected!
We resumed the Summit after COVID with these two energetic presenters and their interactive session "It Takes Two to Tango: Perfecting Essential Partner Skills for AAC Success".
In celebration of our five-year anniversary, Dr. Caroline Musselwhite provided an all-day session entitled "AAC All Day Long! Scaffolding Conversation, Academics, and Interaction – Apps Included!".
Greg shared information about his life and experiences using his AAC device. He is a power-soccer player who enjoys sports, computer games, and racing.
Michael has an Associates Degree in Computer Information Systems and is an advocate for people with disabilities. He told us what it was like growing up with AAC.
Mindy is a business owner, wife, and mother. She shared with us her experiences using a variety of AAC systems. Her unique perspective on parenting using an AAC system provided new insight for everyone.
Martin is an internationally-known author and speaker who uses AAC. He shared with us his journey of rehabilitation after becoming very ill and losing his ability to communicate. His book, "Ghost Boy", recounts his struggle to communicate and regain control of his life through AAC.