Raising the Profile of AAC
By Ann Smaill
Last year I talked about becoming an AAC Activist, as well as joining the Giving Voice Aotearoa campaign, all in the name of building awareness and breaking down communication barriers.
So when in December last year we came across this post in PrAACtical AAC, which peeked into the AAC practices of Angi Pearce, a teacher at Kowhai School in Hastings we were buzzing!!
But wait there is more, now the Education Gazette has published the same article and we are starting to see the ripple effect of raising the AAC profile. Thanks Maryanne O’Hare, National Practice Leader Speech and Language at the Ministry of Education for letting us know! The message is certainly spreading. Here is what Sheryl Willis from Parkside School in Auckland said:
I thought this was a very good article when I saw it the other week. In fact, we have shared this with our staff here at Parkside School as a way to support them in their understanding and implementation of AAC, particularly low tech. For one of our teachers it seems to have helped things click for her – (to hear the impact from another teacher is very powerful).
I will check that those in other special schools have also seen it – and if not will share them the link.
Thanks Maryanne and Sheryl for spreading the word.
It would be great if more people could share good news stories: we would love to hear from you and help share your story.
By Ann Smaill
Last year I talked about becoming an AAC Activist, as well as joining the Giving Voice Aotearoa campaign, all in the name of building awareness and breaking down communication barriers.
So when in December last year we came across this post in PrAACtical AAC, which peeked into the AAC practices of Angi Pearce, a teacher at Kowhai School in Hastings we were buzzing!!
But wait there is more, now the Education Gazette has published the same article and we are starting to see the ripple effect of raising the AAC profile. Thanks Maryanne O’Hare, National Practice Leader Speech and Language at the Ministry of Education for letting us know! The message is certainly spreading. Here is what Sheryl Willis from Parkside School in Auckland said:
I thought this was a very good article when I saw it the other week. In fact, we have shared this with our staff here at Parkside School as a way to support them in their understanding and implementation of AAC, particularly low tech. For one of our teachers it seems to have helped things click for her – (to hear the impact from another teacher is very powerful).
I will check that those in other special schools have also seen it – and if not will share them the link.
Thanks Maryanne and Sheryl for spreading the word.
It would be great if more people could share good news stories: we would love to hear from you and help share your story.