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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 
← Back to schedule
A Panel Discussion: Building Capacity From the Ground Up: Empowering Districts Through Collaborative AAC Frameworks
Thursday November 5, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Auditorium
Limited Capacity seats available
This 60-minute panel discussion explores how educators and specialists in two Michigan school districts are creatively expanding access to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and building sustainable capacity from the ground up. Panelists will share practical strategies for overcoming universal hurdles such as high staff transience, funding constraints, and speech-language pathologist (SLP) shortages. By examining the shared experiences and unique approaches of these two districts, attendees will learn how localized AAC coaching models and lending libraries can be leveraged to rapidly deploy individualized training, support new staff, and get assessment tools into classrooms quickly.

The panel will detail the high-impact initiatives and collaborative frameworks that have successfully shifted communication cultures across their respective school communities. Presenters will share insights on establishing and/or accessing specialized lending libraries of "partner devices" and explain how putting these tools directly into the hands of teachers and support staff drives unexpected student growth. Additionally, the discussion will break down the essential administrative and legal mechanics of their successes, focusing on how clinical decision-making is prioritized to write flexible yet legally robust AAC provisions into Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that ensure continuous student access. By highlighting real-world examples this session provides a replicable roadmap for any district looking to build inclusive AAC capacity against the odds.
Presenters
avatar for Michelle Awesome, M.A., CCC-SLP

Michelle Awesome, M.A., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist, Detroit Public Schools Community District
Michelle Awesome is a speech-language pathologist who completed her Bachelor's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Eastern Michigan University (2007), and her Master's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Wayne State University (2010). She discovered the field of speech-language... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Adrima Caesar, Ph.D

Dr. Adrima Caesar, Ph.D

Senior Director of Assistive Technology/Curriculum/Assessments/Professional Development, Detroit Public Schools Community District
Dr. Adrima Caesar’s passion for serving all students, particularly those with exceptionalities, was sparked at an early age. She attended Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings for her sibling, who has multiple disabilities, including severe cognitive impairment, autism, hearing... Read More →
avatar for Nikki Stempien, M.A., CCC-SLP

Nikki Stempien, M.A., CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist and Augmentative and Alternative Communication Coach, Branch Intermediate School District
Nikki Stempien, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a Speech-Language Pathologist with 10 years of experience in the school setting, specializing in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). She currently serves as an SLP and AAC Coach for the Branch Intermediate School District. In her dual... Read More →
avatar for Molly Moran

Molly Moran

Speech Language Pathologist and Augmentative and Alternative Communication Coach, Branch Intermediate School District
With over a decade of experience in the field, Molly Moran, M.A., CCC-SLP specializes in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for students with complex communication needs. In her dual role at Branch ISD, she provides direct clinical support to elementary students in self-contained... Read More →
Thursday November 5, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Auditorium
  General Session

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