#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

11:45am EST

Click LOG IN if you have Sched account already or Click SIGN UP to create Sched account.

Wednesday November 4, 2026 11:45am - Friday November 6, 2026 4:00pm EST

Limited Capacity seats available

Wednesday November 4, 2026 11:45am - Friday November 6, 2026 4:00pm EST

12:00pm EST

Pre-Conference Workshop: Meaningful Goals and Supportive Instruction for Early AAC Learners

Wednesday November 4, 2026 12:00pm - 4:00pm EST

Limited Capacity seats available

Early AAC learners who are developing skills related to engaging with their AAC often learn and interact in ways that are dynamic, may be difficult to describe and quantify, and are often on timelines that do not fit neatly into an IEP cycle. This poses a notable challenge for writing IEP goals, that by design, focus on students demonstrating defined skills in identified contexts. Another factor...
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Presenters

Tabi Jones-Wohleber

SLP, Communication AACtualized, LLC

Tabi Jones-Wohleber currently works as an AAC-focused SLP supporting families through the WV Birth to Three program. She previously worked as a school-based Assistive Technology Team leader for 17 years. Tabi created the widely shared Model as a MASTER PAL training series, and has authored chapters on AAC implementations in various texts. Tabi has worked with Angelman Syndrome family organizations in multiple countries, and presents on AAC-related topics at local, state, national, and international conferences... Read More →

Wednesday November 4, 2026 12:00pm - 4:00pm EST

Pre-Conference Workshop, Goals for Early AAC Learners

12:00pm EST

Pre-Conference Workshop: Together We Belong: Promoting Peer Engagement and Friendships for Students Who Use AAC

Wednesday November 4, 2026 12:00pm - 4:00pm EST

Limited Capacity seats available

Peer engagement and relationships are at the heart of what it means to be included and belong, and they also shape children’s development and learning in many important ways. Yet, students with disabilities who use or would benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) often face significant challenges to developing authentic friendships and engaging meaningfully with their...
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Presenters

Elizabeth Biggs, PhD

Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University

Dr. Elizabeth Biggs is a nationally recognized educator, researcher, and speaker with over 15 years of experience working with children and youth with disabilities who use or would benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). An Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt... Read More →

Wednesday November 4, 2026 12:00pm - 4:00pm EST

Pre-Conference Workshop, Peer Engagement

4:00pm EST

#TalkingAAC Merchandise Sales

Wednesday November 4, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST

South Lobby

Wednesday November 4, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
South Lobby

Merchandise Sales

8:00am EST

Registration in the South Lobby

Thursday November 5, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am EST

South Lobby

Thursday November 5, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am EST
South Lobby

All Attendees

8:00am EST

Light Continental Breakfast

Thursday November 5, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am EST

Big Ten A & B

Thursday November 5, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am EST
Big Ten A & B

Meal

8:00am EST

Vendor Fair

Thursday November 5, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am EST

Big Ten A & B

Thursday November 5, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am EST
Big Ten A & B

Vendor Fair

8:30am EST

Welcome and Opening Keynote: The Power of Being Understood: What Cammie Taught Me About Communication

Thursday November 5, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EST

Big Ten A & B

Presenters

Megan McMillian

I’m Megan- mama to Zoe and Cammie, my two greatest adventures. You’ll usually find me chasing sunsets, getting lost in a good book, wandering through nature, or embracing the beautifully messy chaos of motherhood (coffee in hand, of course). I've learned to embrace the unexpected... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EST
Big Ten A & B

All Attendees

9:45am EST

Designing Flexible and Differentiated PL Experiences With Stepping Into AAC

Thursday November 5, 2026 9:45am - 11:00am EST

Lincoln

Limited Capacity seats available

Designing meaningful professional learning opportunities for AAC can be intimidating and overwhelming. There’s so much to cover, and it is all important!Stepping Into AAC is a compilation of 20-weeks of FREE resources to guide families through learning about and becoming informed members of their learner's team. It includes AACtion steps, videos, newsletters, and supplemental print materials for...
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Presenters

Michaela Ball, M.S., CCC-SLP

AT/AAC Teacher Specialist, Canyons School District

Michaela Ball is a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) who works to support teachers and SLPs in the Canyons School District in Sandy, Utah and serves on the district’s Utah Assistive Technology Team. She began her journey working in film as a production sound recordist and now uses... Read More →

Tabi Jones-Wohleber

SLP, Communication AACtualized, LLC

Thursday November 5, 2026 9:45am - 11:00am EST
Lincoln

General Session

9:45am EST

From Babble to Buttons: Early AAC in Action

Thursday November 5, 2026 9:45am - 11:00am EST

Auditorium

Limited Capacity seats available

The purpose of this presentation is to demonstrate how a systems-level approach to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) builds capacity across children, families, and professionals while creating sustainable pathways for long-term communication success.Grounded in early intervention practice, this session will outline how AAC can be meaningfully introduced during the birth to three...
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Presenters

Heather Giguere, MA, CCC-SLP

Early Intervention Speech-Language Pathologist, Lapeer County ISD

Heather Giguere, M.A., CCC-SLP is a Speech-Language Pathologist with Lapeer ISD, where she has dedicated the past 25 years to supporting children with complex communication needs. During the first decade of her career, she worked in center-based programs serving students with the most significant needs, specializing in supporting complex communicators.For the past... Read More →

Sara Androyna, MS, OTRL

AAC/AT Implementation Coach and Occupational Therapist, Lapeer County ISD

Sara Androyna, MS, OTR/L is an occupational therapist and Assistive Technology/Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AT/AAC) implementation coach with Lapeer Intermediate School District, where she has supported students and educational teams since 2013. She brings over a decade... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 9:45am - 11:00am EST
Auditorium

General Session

9:45am EST

From Myths to Meaningful Practice: Foundations for Effective AAC Intervention for Young Children With Developmental Disabilities

Thursday November 5, 2026 9:45am - 11:00am EST

Big Ten C

Limited Capacity seats available

Early intervention with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is critical for supporting language, communication, and social development for young children with developmental disabilities who have limited speech. For young children, AAC intervention is most effective when it is embedded within active, playful learning in meaningful, natural settings and with the people who matter...
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Presenters

Elizabeth Biggs, PhD

Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University

Thursday November 5, 2026 9:45am - 11:00am EST
Big Ten C

General Session

9:45am EST

Putting AAC Into Action in Inclusive Classrooms

Thursday November 5, 2026 9:45am - 11:00am EST

Red Cedar

Limited Capacity seats available

Currently, in Michigan, receiving a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is an area focus and considered a key principle of The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). As more and more students with extensive support and complex communication needs are receiving services and attending programs in general education buildings, educators...
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Presenters

Elaina Swartzlander, M.A., CCC-SLP

AAC Coach, Kent ISD

Elaina Swartzlander is a Speech-Language Pathologist with 18 years of experience working in a variety of educational settings including Early On, K-12 general education and self-contained settings; including 4.5 years as an Autism Consultant. As an AAC Coach, Elaina supports center-based... Read More →

DeDe Olthoff

K-2 Resource Room Teacher at Endeavor Elementary, Kentwood Public Schools

DeDe Olthoff is an equity-focused educator with over 15 years of experience. After teaching in general education, she transitioned to an early elementary resource classroom and works in the most diverse district in the state of Michigan. A passionate and innovative educator, she boosts... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 9:45am - 11:00am EST
Red Cedar

General Session

9:45am EST

Language Dynamics Group Presents: Story Champs AAC Intervention for Increasing Device Use

Thursday November 5, 2026 9:45am - 11:00am EST

Centennial

Limited Capacity seats available

AAC intervention research and practice mostly focus on teaching individuals to use their device to make requests, but there’s more to communicating than just expressing immediate wants and needs. This presentation will use a storytelling format to share the results of a study where researchers set out to develop an AAC narrative intervention (Story Champs AAC Expansion Pack) to help three...
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Vendors

Language Dynamics Group

Thursday November 5, 2026 9:45am - 11:00am EST
Centennial

Vendor Session

11:00am EST

Lunch Break

Thursday November 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EST

Big Ten A & B

Thursday November 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Big Ten A & B

Meal

11:00am EST

#TalkingAAC Merchandise Sales

Thursday November 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EST

South Lobby

Thursday November 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
South Lobby

Merchandise Sales

11:00am EST

Vendor Fair

Thursday November 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EST

Big Ten A & B

Thursday November 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Big Ten A & B

Vendor Fair

12:00pm EST

Enhancing Communication and Learning for People With Rett Syndrome: A Collaborative Approach

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST

Red Cedar

Limited Capacity seats available

Students with Rett syndrome face multiple challenges that impact their ability to learn, participate in assessments and communicate consistently. These may include physical limitations, behavioral difficulties, sensory processing disorders and health-related problems. It’s important that we as educators, therapists, and support staff understand these challenges and their impact on learning and...
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Presenters

Brigitte Evariste, M.Ed.

Solutions Consultant, Tobii Dynavox

Brigitte Evariste has been working with students with complex needs for the past thirteen years. Beginning in a traditional classroom setting, she has extended to consulting, contract work, and private practice. She believes EVERYONE has unstoppable potential. Brigitte has experience... Read More →

Elaine Keuning, MA, CCC-SLP, TSSLD

Owner, Williams Speech and Language Pathology PLLC

Elaine Keuning, MA, CCC-SLP, TSSLD, is a speech-language pathologist, AAC specialist, and owner of Williams Speech and Language Pathology PLLC. With over 15 years of experience, she specializes in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for individuals with complex communication... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST
Red Cedar

General Session

12:00pm EST

Language and Communication Sample Analysis for Everyone

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST

Auditorium

Limited Capacity seats available

Do you dread doing language samples? Dread no more! Not only are they a legally mandated part of school-based assessments in the state of Michigan, language sample analysis provides detailed information about all 3 domains of languages: syntax, semantics, and pragmatic language. They can also provide culturally sensitive information for individuals who are often not reflected in standardized...
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Presenters

Christel Ciolino, M.A. CCC-SLP

Preschool Speech-Language Pathologist, Wayne-Westland Community School District

About meChristel Ciolino is a preschool speech-language pathologist at Stottlemyer Early Childhood Center. Her favorite professional activity is introducing students to AAC devices. When not at work, she loves running, cooking, singing with a choir, horseback riding, and reading... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST
Auditorium

General Session

12:00pm EST

Protecting Students' Legal Rights to Effective Communication

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST

Lincoln

Limited Capacity seats available

Effective communication is a fundamental human right and a foundational aspect of learning and participating in the community. Access to communication supports is protected by the IDEA, ADA, and Section 504. Too often, however, students may be shut out of access to robust AAC. Students may be presumed incapable of benefiting from AAC; may be forced to try ineffective alternative interventions...
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Presenters

Sam Crane, J.D.

Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy, CommunicationFIRST

Sam Crane, JD (she/they), is CommunicationFIRST’s Director of Policy & Legal Advocacy. She is an attorney and disability advocate with over ten years of policy advocacy experience and is licensed to practice law in Washington, DC. Sam’s advocacy work has included promoting access... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST
Lincoln

General Session

12:00pm EST

Using Strategies From the Enhancing Peer Networks Project to Promote Peer Engagement for Students Who use AAC

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST

Big Ten C

Limited Capacity seats available

Presenters

Elizabeth Biggs, PhD

Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST
Big Ten C

General Session

12:00pm EST

Smartbox Presents: Connect and Thrive - Grid as a Gateway to Adult Life, Identity and Autonomy

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST

Centennial

Limited Capacity seats available

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) doesn’t end with school. This session explores how Grid can support teens and adults as they transition into jobs, relationships and independent living. We’ll go beyond language development to highlight tools for self-advocacy, hobbies, scheduling, building and maintaining relationships, and expressing authentic, personal thoughts, whether about...
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Vendors

Smartbox

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST
Centennial

Vendor Session

1:15pm EST

Snack Break

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:15pm - 1:30pm EST

Big Ten A & B

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:15pm - 1:30pm EST
Big Ten A & B

Meal

1:30pm EST

Beyond the School Walls: Navigating AAC Access and Rights in Adulthood

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST

Lincoln

Limited Capacity seats available

Effective communication is a fundamental human right and a foundational aspect of learning and participating in the community. Access to communication supports is protected by numerous disability rights laws. Students transitioning to adulthood may experience barriers to continued use of AAC. The supports they received in schools must now be provided through other sources, which may include...
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Presenters

Sam Crane, J.D.

Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy, CommunicationFIRST

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST
Lincoln

General Session

1:30pm EST

Enhancing SLP Impact: Integrating AAC Into the Classroom

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST

Big Ten C

Limited Capacity seats available

Speech-language pathologists are supporting increasingly diverse caseloads with growing communication, academic, and participation needs. At the same time, students who use or benefit from AAC are spending more of their school day in general education classrooms. To support these learners effectively, SLPs must rethink traditional service delivery models and move beyond isolated pull-out therapy...
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Presenters

Carolyn McCoy, M.A., CCC/SLP, BCBA

SLP, Northshore School District

Carolyn McCoy is an Speech Language Pathologist in the Northshore School District in Suburban King County, WA. Working at Ruby Bridges Elementary School, a model site for inclusive practices within Washington State, has capped a career that includes experience in a co-teaching classroom... Read More →

Nicole (Nicki) Case, M.A., CCC/SLP

SLP, Northshore School District

Nicole (Nicki) Case is an elementary SLP in the Northshore School District. She has expertise in AAC, inclusive practices and supporting students with complex communication needs in the general education setting. Nicole has experience across school and clinical settings, creating... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST
Big Ten C

General Session

1:30pm EST

Organizing Your AAC Toolkit: Digital Resources for the Modern SLP

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST

Auditorium

Limited Capacity seats available

This presentation provides speech-language pathologists with a comprehensive framework for organizing essential augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) resources into an accessible digital toolkit. Attendees will discover a curated collection of practical resources spanning the full spectrum of AAC implementation—from initial assessment through ongoing learning, intervention, and...
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Presenters

Mary Giunta, MA, CCC-SLP

AAC Consultant, AAC Tech Solutions, LLC

Mary Giunta brings over three decades of experience in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), during which she served diverse populations across multiple settings, including hospitals, schools, adult day programs, outpatient clinics, and early intervention programs. Since... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST
Auditorium

General Session

1:30pm EST

Prioritizing 'Possible' Over 'Perfection': A Real-World, Team-Based Approach to AAC Implementation Planning

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST

Red Cedar

Limited Capacity seats available

In the real world of complicated systems, staffing shortages, and high-needs classrooms, the expectation of all-day modeling and seamless integration often feels like an impossible weight. When the gap between "what should be" and "what can be" becomes too wide, implementation doesn't just slow down—it stops. This session describes how one county is striving to meet teachers, families, and...
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Presenters

Megan Makowski, MS, CCC-SLP

AAC Consultant, Livingston Educational Service Agency

Megan Makowski, MS, CCC-SLP, is an AAC Consultant with the Livingston Educational Service Agency. Within the public school setting, she empowers teams to move beyond basic AAC selection and into sustainable implementation through collaborative problem-solving. She specializes in supporting... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST
Red Cedar

General Session

1:30pm EST

Tobii Dynavox Presents: TD Snap - Beyond the Basics

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST

Centennial

Limited Capacity seats available

Take your TD Snap skills beyond the basics in this interactive session focused on advanced features, hidden tools, and time-saving workflows that can make communication and customization more efficient. Participants will explore practical strategies for maximizing TD Snap, including:Saving, sharing, and syncing in TD SnapUsing Boardmaker Player within TD SnapImporting pagesets and individual pages...
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Vendors

Tobii Dynavox

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST
Centennial

Vendor Session

3:00pm EST

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...
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Presenters

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 →

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 →

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 →

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

3:00pm EST

AAC Storytime for All: Create Your Own Community Based Instructional Opportunity for AAC Users, Caregivers and Future Clinicians

Thursday November 5, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST

Lincoln

Limited Capacity seats available

The purpose of this session is to encourage SLPs to create an AAC Storytime program in their own communities. The presenter will detail how she started and has maintained such a program operating out of Riverview Public Library for the last 2 years.The concept is simple: Every month, around a dozen AAC users (both preschool and elementary aged), using a variety of AAC programs, come to participate...
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Presenters

Alison Ortega, MA, CCC-SLP

Owner, Speech Pathologist, OrtegaTalks LLC

Alison Ortega is an SLP working primarily in the pediatric outpatient setting. She is a proud Wayne State alum (linguistics BA, speech-language pathology MA). If she had to pick an AAC app to use personally, it would be LAMP. Her AAC Storytime program is dedicated to her late grandmother... Read More →

Yunuen Vargas

Student Volunteer, OrtegaTalks LLC

Yunuen Vargas is a first-generation, bilingual student at Eastern Michigan University and an Early On family trainer. She supports early communication through evidence and play-based strategies with a strong focus on culturally responsive practices and equitable access to AAC.

Thursday November 5, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Lincoln

General Session

3:00pm EST

Ethical Concerns of Data Collection From AAC Users

Thursday November 5, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST

Big Ten C

Limited Capacity seats available

Speech-language pathologists collect data for six basic reasons:• Track progress over time• To guide treatment decisions• To set and refine measurable goals• To communicate clearly with families, teachers, and other professionals• To meet professional and legal documentation standards• To support evidence-based practiceThese are very important reasons to collect data. However, the...
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Presenters

Lance McLemore

Ambassador, PRC-Saltillo

Lance McLemore has been using AAC for about 12 years. He got his first high tech communication aid whilst in university. Since getting access to AAC, his world has greatly expanded. His current language system is LAMP Words for Life on an Accent 1000, which he received in 2016. He... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Big Ten C

General Session

3:00pm EST

Step Into Emergent Literacy Implementation for AAC Users

Thursday November 5, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST

Red Cedar

Limited Capacity seats available

Reading and writing are essential skills for individuals who use AAC. Whether you are just beginning your literacy instruction journey or looking to deepen your knowledge and skills, this session is for you. Emergent literacy routines provide the foundation for lifelong literacy while naturally embedding communication throughout instruction.Participants will explore five key literacy routines:...
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Presenters

Marlene Cummings

AAC Consultant, Oakland Schools & #TalkingAAC

Marlene Cummings, M.A., CCC-SLP is an Augmentative/Alternative Communication Consultant. She specializes in designing innovative implementation systems utilizing cutting edge professional learning frameworks and dynamic service delivery models to build capacity and sustainability... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Red Cedar

General Session

3:00pm EST

SEMS Presents Effective Listening for Understanding, Trust, and Collaboration

Thursday November 5, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST

Centennial

Limited Capacity seats available

Our family and school communities are dealing with a lot of heavy topics these days. We are so rooted in trying to problem solve, that when we speak with one another, we aren’t truly listening to what the other person is saying … instead we are trying to solve the problem we believe they are presenting. When people feel unheard, it leads to avoidable conflict and discord among parents and...
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Vendors

Special Education Mediation Services

Thursday November 5, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Centennial

Vendor Session

4:00pm EST

#TalkingAAC Merchandise Sales

Thursday November 5, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST

South Lobby

Thursday November 5, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
South Lobby

Merchandise Sales

4:00pm EST

Vendor Fair

Thursday November 5, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST

Big Ten A & B

Thursday November 5, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Big Ten A & B

Vendor Fair

7:00pm EST

Speak Freely with AAC: A Free Social & Networking Evening Event

Thursday November 5, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm EST

Red Cedar

Limited Capacity seats available

Step through the hidden door into an evening of connection, conversation, and a little Prohibition-era mischief. Show your stamped conference passport (collected from vendor visits throughout the day) to gain entry, then settle in for drinks, sinful sweets, low-lit lounge vibes, a photo booth, games, and prizes. Quiet corner available for those needing a lower-sensory space. Casual and easygoing...
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Thursday November 5, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm EST
Red Cedar

All Attendees

7:00pm EST

#TalkingAAC Merchandise Sales

Thursday November 5, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm EST

South Lobby

Thursday November 5, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm EST
South Lobby

Merchandise Sales

7:30am EST

Light Continental Breakfast

Friday November 6, 2026 7:30am - 8:30am EST

Big Ten A & B

Friday November 6, 2026 7:30am - 8:30am EST
Big Ten A & B

Meal

7:30am EST

Vendor Fair

Friday November 6, 2026 7:30am - 8:30am EST

Big Ten A & B

Friday November 6, 2026 7:30am - 8:30am EST
Big Ten A & B

Vendor Fair

8:30am EST

Become a Keyguard Creator: A Beginner's Walk Through of 3D Printing

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

Auditorium

Limited Capacity seats available

Let’s design a keyguard in real time!! Many learners are not able to access more robust vocabularies due to current motoric & visual abilities. Keyguards are a tool that sustains direct access instead of deviating to alternative access methods when fine motor and visual motor coordination are interfering. They support learners to have fewer mis-hits, better confidence, reduced cognitive load,...
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Presenters

Tracie Schanen, OTR/L, ATP

Assistive Technology Consultant, Livingston Educational Service Agency and #TalkingAAC Board Member

Tracie is an Assistive Technology Consultant with Livingston ESA in Howell, Michigan. She supports both center-based and county-wide district teams with the AT and AAC consideration process and implementation across ages 0 - 26. She is a registered Occupational Therapist and RESNA... Read More →

Makenzi Farmer, M.A., CCC-SLP

Augmentative & Alternative Communication Consultant, Eaton Regional Education Service Agency

Makenzi Farmer is an AAC Consultant with Eaton RESA in Charlotte, Michigan. She supports local districts and the center-based programs with AAC considerations, tool implementation, training, coaching, and more. As a Speech Language Pathologist she has experience with ECSE, K-12, and... Read More →

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

General Session

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...
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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

8:30am EST

Enhancing AAC Intervention Through Music: A Music Therapist’s Approach for SLPs

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

Lincoln

Limited Capacity seats available

AAC devices are only as effective as the environments in which they are used. While SLPs lead AAC implementation, communication does not happen in isolation—and some powerful opportunities for language learning are happening in music therapy sessions! This session highlights how to harness those moments to support communication.Despite increased access to AAC systems, many individuals still...
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Presenters

Shelley Anderson, MT-BC

Assistive Technology Specialist and Music Therapist, Notes 2 live By LLC

Shelley Anderson, a Board-Certified Music Therapist who specializes in AAC and assistive technology. She works with individuals on Indiana’s Medicaid waiver, founding the state’s only waiver-funded AAC parent training program to empower families as confident communication partners... Read More →

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

General Session

8:30am EST

From Support to Partnership: SLPs as Collaborative Co-Teachers

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

Big Ten C

Limited Capacity seats available

Speech-language pathologists are increasingly called to move beyond pull-out service delivery and consultation models toward meaningful, embedded collaboration in classroom environments. This presentation will explore how SLPs can shift from a role of “supporting” instruction from the outside to becoming true instructional partners through collaborative co-teaching. With a focus on AAC users...
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Presenters

Carolyn McCoy, M.A., CCC/SLP, BCBA

SLP, Northshore School District

Nicole (Nicki) Case, M.A., CCC/SLP

SLP, Northshore School District

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

General Session

8:30am EST

Step Inside the Classroom: An Immersive, Fast-Paced Journey Through Emergent Literacy and AAC

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

104/105 A & B

Limited Capacity seats available

Experience comprehensive literacy instruction from the user’s perspective in this 75-minute, highly interactive, and immersive training session. Designed for educators seeking actionable strategies for emergent learners who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), this workshop skips the traditional lecture and drops you directly into the student experience. Attendees will assume...
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Presenters

Molly Wrzesinski

SLP, Northwest Education Services

Molly Wrzesinski has worked in center based programming for students with severe multiple impairments at Northwest Education Services for the past seven years. Her caseload consists of students in preschool-12th grade, all of whom have complex communication needs and use some form... Read More →

Amy Devin

ASD Teacher, Royal Oak Schools

I am a teacher who has a passion for teaching literacy and communication to students who use AAC and require language support to learn.

Jaime Oppenlander

Instructional Coach, Livingston Education Service Agency

Jaime Oppenlander has been implementing Comprehensive Literacy for All instructional routines for eight years. She brings fourteen years of experience teaching in a SXI/SCI inclusive classroom and is now in her sixth year as an instructional coach, working in both Grand Haven and... Read More →

Lauren Pawlowski

Special Education Teacher, Lake Fenton Community Schools

Lauren Pawlowski is a passionate special education teacher with 18 years of experience working with students of all abilities. She has had the privilege of teaching in a variety of settings, including resource rooms and self-contained classrooms, with a strong focus on supporting... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EST
104/105 A & B

General Session

8:30am EST

School Health Presents: Literacy and Communication Development Through AAC and Assistive Technology

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

Centennial

Limited Capacity seats available

As our schools continue to focus on literacy development, we still experience gaps for some of our neurodiverse students who may have issues surrounding both areas. Professionals debate the best strategies for support while the outside world focuses on “standardization” and whether tools for support are “cheating.” Ironically, AAC in all forms can be utilized to enhance literacy...
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Vendors

School Health Corporation

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

Vendor Session

10:00am EST

AAC All Day: Communication as the Foundation of Learning and Life

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

Big Ten C

Limited Capacity seats available

Special Education Teachers play a critical role in providing AAC supports to students with disabilities in the learning environment. Because most teachers do not possess the skills of a Speech Language Pathologist/Therapist, it is difficult for them to believe that they can, and should, provide AAC supports on a daily basis. Often there is inadequate training on the “how to” and the “why”...
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Presenters

Laura Taylor, MEd

Consultant, Taylor Educational Consultants

Laura Taylor is a retired Special Education Teacher with a passion for supporting learners who require the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to communicate. Laura is a Certified PODD Presenter and has taught students who use AAC to communicate.

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

General Session

10:00am EST

From "Wing It" to Intentional: A Communication Partner Skill-Building Collaborative Journey

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

Lincoln

Limited Capacity seats available

What happens when you walk into a classroom to coach AAC implementation and realize one staff member was hired last week and the other has been there for fifteen years?This session follows one SLP's journey from well-meaning but directionless classroom visits to a structured, flexible and collaborative coaching model built around a simple but powerful shift: before the AAC learner can build...
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Presenters

Michaela Ball, M.S., CCC-SLP

AT/AAC Teacher Specialist, Canyons School District

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

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...
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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

10:00am EST

United for AAC: Law, Advocacy, and Action

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

Auditorium

Limited Capacity seats available

The saying, “It takes a village” is a fundamental truth for professionals who are dedicated to supporting individuals with complex communication needs. They must work within multidisciplinary teams, navigate complicated systems, and use advanced clinical expertise to ensure individuals have a voice. Professionals and caregivers bear the full weight of assessing and implementing AAC while also...
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Presenters

Ashley Robinson, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist, AAC Consultant, ABility Consulting

Ashley is a speech language pathologist with 15 years of dedicated clinical experience in AAC. Her career has spanned multiple states and the full developmental spectrum—from early intervention through young adulthood—with a specialized focus on supporting students with complex... Read More →

Brittany Shupe-Sawyer, LMSW

Social Worker, Advocate, ABility Consulting

Brittany is a clinical social worker with over a decade of experience with children, adults, and families with disabilities in a variety of settings. She began her career as a medical social worker, where she supported pediatric and adult patients and joined forces with rehabilitation... Read More →

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

General Session

10:00am EST

AssistiveWare Sponsored Movie Screening - All of Us: Inside a School That Breaks the Mold

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

Centennial

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

Vendor Session

11:15am EST

Lunch Break

Friday November 6, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EST

Big Ten A & B

Friday November 6, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EST
Big Ten A & B

Meal

11:15am EST

#TalkingAAC Merchandise Sales

Friday November 6, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EST

South Lobby

Friday November 6, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EST
South Lobby

Merchandise Sales

11:15am EST

Vendor Fair

Friday November 6, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EST

Big Ten A & B

Friday November 6, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EST
Big Ten A & B

Vendor Fair

12:15pm EST

From Therapy Hour to All-Day AAC: A Hybrid In-Person and Telepractice Model for Life Skills Classrooms

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

Lincoln

Limited Capacity seats available

For students with complex communication needs in life skills classrooms, AAC is most effective when it is woven throughout the school day, not isolated to therapy sessions. Yet many districts, especially those in rural or underserved areas, struggle to provide consistent, expert-driven AAC support due to staffing shortages, geographic barriers, and limited classroom-based AAC training. The result...
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Presenters

Marleah Herman-Umpleby, MS CCC-SLP

Co-Owner, Speech Pathologist, Interact Therapy

Marleah Herman-Umpleby, MS, CCC-SLP, is an Assistant Professor and Program Director of the Online Speech-Language Pathology Program at West Virginia University, where she leads online graduate education and teaches courses in AAC, speech sound disorders, and clinical practice. She... Read More →

Stephanie Ekis, MS CCC-SLP

Co-Owner, Speech Pathologist, Interact Therapy

Stephanie is an SLP with a passion for helping individuals realize their full potential. With over 30 years of experience, Stephanie has provided assessment and treatment for children and adults with complex communication needs. With a specialty in augmentative and alternative... Read More →

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

General Session

12:15pm EST

Meaningful Goals and Supportive Instruction for Early AAC Learners

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

Big Ten C

Limited Capacity seats available

What comes first, the chicken or the egg? The same may be said of meaningful goals and skill-building interactions and instruction for early AAC learners. This 2-part session will begin with a deep dive into drafting meaningful goals for early AAC learners, then shift to explore opportunities and examples of skill-building interactions and instructional activities. Early AAC learners who are...
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Presenters

Tabi Jones-Wohleber

SLP, Communication AACtualized, LLC

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

General Session

12:15pm EST

Rethinking Our Role and Response to Communicative Behaviors

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

Auditorium

Limited Capacity seats available

When a student "acts out," what are they truly telling us? For students with complex communication needs, behavior is often the most powerful—and sometimes only—tool available to express unmet needs. This interactive session challenges educators to shift their perspective from seeking compliance to fostering connection and understanding.Participants will begin by reflecting on how their own...
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Presenters

Megan Hojnacki, MA, CCC-SLP

AT/AAC Specialist, Alt+Shift

Kelsey Brewer, MA

AT/AAC Specialist, Alt+Shift

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

General Session

12:15pm EST

Step Inside the Classroom: An Immersive, Fast-Paced Journey Through Emergent Literacy and AAC

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

104/105 A & B

Limited Capacity seats available

Presenters

Molly Wrzesinski

SLP, Northwest Education Services

Amy Devin

ASD Teacher, Royal Oak Schools

I am a teacher who has a passion for teaching literacy and communication to students who use AAC and require language support to learn.

Jaime Oppenlander

Instructional Coach, Livingston Education Service Agency

Lauren Pawlowski

Special Education Teacher, Lake Fenton Community Schools

Friday November 6, 2026 12:15pm - 1:30pm EST
104/105 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,...
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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

12:15pm EST

PRC-Saltillo Presents: Beyond Vocabulary: Using Unity AAC Tools to Support Academic Participation

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

Centennial

Limited Capacity seats available

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) applications provide robust instructional tools that can support student access, participation, communication, and independence across academic environments. While AAC systems are often viewed primarily as tools for expressive communication, many also contain built-in features that can be leveraged to support literacy, classroom engagement,...
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Vendors

PRC-Saltillo

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

Vendor Session

1:30pm EST

Snack Break

Friday November 6, 2026 1:30pm - 1:45pm EST

Big Ten A & B

Friday November 6, 2026 1:30pm - 1:45pm EST
Big Ten A & B

Meal

1:45pm EST

Closing Keynote: A Personal Journey of Eye Gaze AAC, Inclusion, and Belonging

Friday November 6, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm EST

Big Ten A & B

Presenters

Mawqar Alhaideri

I am starting to using AAC since I was 7 years old. Now I am at East Kentwood High School. I was the first student to use AAC in my district. Join me on November 6th.
Thank You

... Read More →

Friday November 6, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm EST
Big Ten A & B

All Attendees

2:45pm EST

#TalkingAAC Merchandise Sales

Friday November 6, 2026 2:45pm - 3:00pm EST

South Lobby

Friday November 6, 2026 2:45pm - 3:00pm EST
South Lobby

Merchandise Sales

#TalkingAAC 2026

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