Vol. 8, No. 2 Spring 2000	Previous Issues Subscribe to AT Messenger Download PDF Viewer
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International AAC Conference In Delaware's Backyard

In August 2000, the United States chapter of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) will host what is expected to be its largest conference in history in Washington, DC. ISAAC 2000 is the leading forum for exchange of research findings, personal experiences, practical strategies, and technical developments in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).

What is ISAAC?

ISAAC, an organization devoted to advancing the field of AAC, has over 2,800 members in more than 50 countries. Membership is open to all persons who are interested in AAC. The mission of ISAAC is to improve communication and the quality of life for people with severe communication limitations. ISAAC does this by advancing the field of AAC, facilitating information exchange, and focusing attention on work in the field.

An International Perspective on AAC

ISAAC's biennial conferences are the world's largest and most comprehensive conferences dedicated exclusively to the topic of augmentative and alternative communication. ISAAC Conferences are only held in North America every four years, and there has not been an ISAAC Conference in the United States since the record-setting ISAAC 92 in Philadelphia, which attracted over 1000 individuals.

ISAAC Conferences are unique in that they bring together the entire spectrum of stakeholders in the AAC arena-researchers, policy makers, manufacturers, service providers, and AAC users and their families. This diversity among attendees ensures that the conference will address cutting-edge research and development issues while remaining focused on the realities of communication using AAC devices and techniques.

Conference Dates and Associated Events

The conference will be held from August 2nd through August 6th, with the first day devoted to intensive instructional courses, and the remaining days offering a combination of traditional platform presentations, miniseminars, workshops, and poster sessions. The conference is followed by a two-day Research Symposium on August 7 and 8. The entire program is detailed on the conference website, which is www. ISAACconference.org.

The chairs of ISAAC 2000 are Beth Mineo, DATI Director, and Sheela Stuart, Chief of Speech Pathology/Audiology at Childrens National Medical Center in Washington, DC. Get in touch with the DATI office if you have questions or would like to receive a copy of the Preliminary Program.

Unable to attend the entire conference? Instructional courses provide an excellent in-depth treatment of a topic area!

ISAAC 2000 Instructional Courses-Wednesday, August 2

Full-day courses · 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

AAC and Autism: What Do We Really Know? Pat Mirenda

AAC Facilitation Strategies for Group Activities in Engineered AAC Classrooms, Carol Goossens', Donna Jennings, Danielle Kinahan

Half-day courses: Morning session · 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Challenges of the Adult AAC Clinic: Case Studies and New Approaches, Joanne Lasker, Cynthia J. Cress, Lynn Fox, Melanie Fried-Oken

What's New in Language Acquisition in the Last 15 Years? Roberta Golinkoff

Half-day courses: Afternoon session · 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Visual Dysfunction Affecting the Ability to Communicate, William V. Padula

Enhancing AAC Education Through Communication Technologies, Patricia Dowden, Joseph Reichle, Mary Ann Romski, Erna Alant, Teresa Iacono