#TalkingAAC 2026: Full Schedule

Act now! We reach capacity and sell out every year. Registration closes Wednesday, October 28, 2026 — or sooner if capacity is reached.

Ticket Options

#TalkingAAC: Pre-Conference Workshop
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 12:00–4:00 PM
Kellogg Center, East Lansing, MI
- Choose one 4-hour workshop
- Cost: $100
- Full details click here
#TalkingAAC: Two-Day Conference
Thursday & Friday, November 5-6, 2026
- Build your schedule for this two-day event
- Cost: $300
- Price includes breakfast, lunch, & parking
- Full details click here

NOTE: To attend all 3 days, you must purchase both a Pre-Conference Workshop ticket and a Two-Day Conference ticket.

Registration & Session Planning

All registration and session planning will be handled via Sched:

Click the green Log In or Sign Up button below to access Sched.
Then proceed to purchase your ticket(s).
After you’ve purchased your ticket(s), you can plan which sessions you’d like to attend.
New to using the Sched app? To take a tour click here
Need to update your app to this year’s conference? In the Sched app, go to My Account > Change Events> type in the name of the event #TalkingAAC 2026
A new Guest Buyer option lets you purchase tickets for others without creating a SCHED account. Once ticket(s) are selected, choose Continue as Guest.

Ticket Purchase - Error Message

If you receive an error message when purchasing your ticket, please contact TalkingAAC at [email protected] or 517-299-5200 for assistance.

⚠️ Please do not attempt to purchase again, as this may result in duplicate tickets.

Refunds & Ticket Transfers

Refunds available up to 10 days before the event. Sched & Stripe fees are non-refundable.
Ticket transfers (e.g., to a coworker) may be approved before October 28, 2026.

Stay Informed

Watch for updates from #TalkingAAC and Sched with session details and reminders as the event approaches.

Questions?

www.talkingaac.org

[email protected]

517-299-5200

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8:30am EST

Bridging the Graduation Gap: Supporting AAC From School to Adulthood

Friday November 6, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EST

Room 103 A & B

Limited Capacity seats available

For young adults who use AAC, the transition out of school can mean losing access to the very system that supports their ability to communicate. This session addresses that gap and what teams can do to prevent it.

Participants will explore a framework for transition planning that keeps the AAC user’s own communication priorities at the center. Supporting topics include developing a post-graduation plan of care, building team support across school and adult service settings, navigating workplace communication needs, and securing device funding for individuals who do not own their AAC system.

This session is relevant to AAC users, families, SLPs, educators, and others who want practical strategies for ensuring communication independence doesn’t stall at graduation. Attendees will leave with a clearer roadmap for collaboration between school-based and outpatient teams, so that transition becomes a bridge, not a barrier.

Presenters

Darcy Lees, M.Ed., CCC-SLP

AAC Solutions Consultant, PRC-Saltillo

Darcy Lees, M.Ed., CCC/SLP is a Speech-Language Pathologist with over 30 years of experience supporting individuals with complex communication needs in clinic and school settings. During her career, she has been committed to helping AAC users develop the skills and confidence to communicate... Read More →

Nora Eskin, M.S., CCC-SLP

AAC Solutions Consultant, Tobii Dynavox

Nora Eskin, M.S., CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist with over ten years of experience working with complex communicators and AAC solutions. She has worked in special education schools, outpatient clinics and providing assistive technology services for adults with disabilities... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EST
Room 103 A & B

General Session

10:00am EST

Matching the Moment: Balancing Student Needs and Task Demands for Multimodal Success

Friday November 6, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am EST

Room 103 A & B

Limited Capacity seats available

The transition from "having an AAC tool" to "using it all day" is where implementation often stalls. We frequently encounter device abandonment because it was poorly matched to the task at hand. Let’s move away from a static, one-system-fits-all approach and toward a dynamic, multimodal framework. By matching AAC features to a student's daily tasks instead of relying on a single tool, this session shows how to keep communication functional even in high-stress moments.
The session begins by grounding participants in a 'traffic light framework' to navigate decision-making, highlighting the complex interplay between cognitive, physical, and linguistic demands, access challenges, and a student’s engagement or motivation.
In this hands-on lab, participants will dive into our onsite AAC library to solve real-world case studies and practice mapping a multimodal toolkit that supports a student’s communication needs across every activity in their day.
This session provides a clear rationale for dynamically pivoting between high-tech devices and light-tech systems. When teams adopt this proactive lens, they honor the AAC user's fluctuating energy and effort. This directly supports autonomy by ensuring the individual always has an accessible way to communicate, regardless of the environment. Participants will leave with a practical framework to support student communication throughout the day.

Presenters

Jarrett Bassett

AAC Consultant & SLP, Ottawa Area ISD

Jarrett Bassett is an SLP with a love for communication in all forms. Currently working with the Young Adult Service of Ottawa Area ISD as an AAC consultant and SLP; he works to find real world solutions for students aged 18-26, as they enter the next stage of their lives. He also... Read More →

Megan Hojnacki, MA, CCC-SLP

AT/AAC Specialist, Alt+Shift

Megan Hojnacki is an SLP by training and currently an AT/AAC specialist for Alt+Shift. After a transformative experience at Camp Alec (as seen on Disney+) and 20 years of experience in public education, Megan is a firm believer that literacy and AAC are inseparable rights for all... Read More →

Kelsey Brewer, MA

AT/AAC Specialist, Alt+Shift

Kelsey Brewer, M.A. is an assistive technology and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) specialist with over nine years of experience in special education. Her primary expertise lies in Early Childhood Special Education, specifically supporting students ages 3–5. Kelsey’s... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am EST
Room 103 A & B

General Session

12:15pm EST

They Never Use It: Navigating AAC Rejection, Refusal or Abandonment

Friday November 6, 2026 12:15pm - 1:30pm EST

Room 103 A & B

Limited Capacity seats available

A lot of work goes into prescribing and obtaining an AAC device for individuals who cannot rely on speech for effective communication. But putting a device in front of an individual is only the beginning of the journey. Unfortunately, AAC devices are often abandoned (or worse, rejected) by users. Using AAC effectively is a difficult process that involves a variety of motivational factors, including physical access, opportunity for use, acceptance of format and committed communication partners. When one of these elements breaks down, AAC use can decline significantly. This session will address a variety of reasons for AAC device abandonment/rejection/refusal and will propose strategies to rejuvenate and inspire use.

Presenters

Kim Hurley, MA, CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist, North Lawrence Community Schools

Kim Hurley, MA, CCC-SLP, is a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist with 25 years of experience serving Indiana public schools. She currently works for North Lawrence Community Schools, where she supports students from K-12+ with complex educational and communication needs. A passionate... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 12:15pm - 1:30pm EST
Room 103 A & B

General Session