Professional Development in AT

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Initiatives throughout the state of New Hampshire are seeking to train professionals and family members about assistive technology. NH Family Voices is among those organizations with the mission to bring family-centered care to children and youth with special health care needs and/or disabilities in NH. NH Family Voices is part of a national network of similar advocacy initiative that provide families with information and methods to make informed decisions about the services their children receive.

I saw a new training shared by a NH Family Voices staff member regarding a new and free online and in-person training for NH school districts (K-12) regarding the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). The NH AAC initiative, housed at the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire will provide access to online learning modules, state and national resources regarding AAC. This initiative is open to individuals affiliated with K-12 schools in NH, including: general educators, special educators, related service providers, paraprofessionals, administrators, and family. Participants gain access to these modules, webinars, AAC resources and discussions, newsletters via computer. Participants can qualify for in-person trainings once they have completed the modules (See the website listed above for further details).

Enrollment begins now and continues through June 2014. You can access the online form on their website or contact the NH AAC Initiative at:

learnaac.nh@unh.edu
Michael McSheehan
Clinical Assistant Professor
Institute on Disability
10 West Edge Drive, Suite 101
Durham, NH 03824

Project partners for the NH AAC Initiative include (taking from the NH AAC Initiative website):

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of New Hampshire
Assistance with project leadership and professional development

Crotched Mountain ATECH Services
Assistance with professional Development
Pat Mirenda
Senior Advisor and AAC expert

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