Literacy & Justice For All: How To Make Literacy Accessible For AAC Users

Course Number: ABIO2427

When: Recorded playback is available between available June 19, 2024 – June 19, 2029.

Where: Available under “Course Content” at the bottom of this page.

Description: In this session, we discuss the vital role of literacy for all, including AAC users. We explore integrating literacy into daily instruction, discover top books for language development support, and harness AI & assistive tech for effective literacy teaching.

Who This Course Is Good For:

Any ASHA member, CCC holder, or other professionals who are licensed or credentialed to practice speech-language pathology (SLP) or audiology or preparing to earn ASHA CEUs.
Any professional who works with pediatric clients.
Any professional or caregiver who is seeking to learn more about literacy instruction.

Who This Course Isn’t Good For:

SLPs who are not currently practicing or are not actively involved in direct client care.
Experts with advanced knowledge in reading science and structured literacy.

Presenters:

Venita Litvack, M.A, CCC-SLP

Venita is an Assistive Technology (AT) Consultant in south Florida. She has a passion for using AAC, AT, and literacy to support individuals with complex communication needs, autism, and other disabilities. Venita has delivered poster presentations on several topics related to AAC at ASHA and co-presented several ASHA CEU accredited courses. Venita co-authored two articles published in ASHA Leader’s online publication, as well as the Lou Knows What to Do book series published by Boys Town Press. Recently, Venita started utilizing the power of social media to empower and motivate educators across the country through the Speechie Side Up podcast, blog, Instagram account, and YouTube channel.

Megan Stewart,MS CCC-SLP

Megan Stewart, MS CCC-SLP, is an SLP with over 20 years of experience, focusing on supporting complex communicators in a variety of settings including hippotherapy, home health, early intervention, schools and private practice. She herself is obsessed with books and so it is only natural that she melds her love of literacy with her love of AAC within all she does. Megan lives in sunny Florida with her husband and three sons, loves the beach, reading, cuddling her dog and listening to podcasts.

Disclosure Statements

Venita Litvack has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: ownership interest in Speechie Side Up, LLC and Tassel Learning, LLC; royalties from the Lou Knows What to Do book series.

Venita Litvack has the following relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose: member of the ASHA Special Interest Group 12.

Megan Stewart has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: Megan is the owner and operater of SENSEable Literacy and receives payment for any products purchased. She is also receiving honorarium for this presentation and receives commission for any sales made with her code.

Megan Stewart has the following relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose: member of ASHA.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of this activity, participants will:

Describe 2 reasons why it’s important to teach literacy to all children
List at least 2 ways to incorporate literacy in daily instruction
List 2 characteristics of books that support language development
Identify at least 2 AI & assistive technology tools that can be used within literacy instruction

Agenda

5 min	Introductions and Backgrounds
10 min	The importance of teaching literacy to all students, including aac users
15 min	How to incorporate literacy in daily instruction
15 min	Best books to support language development
10 min	AI & assistive technology that can be used within literacy instruction
5 min	References, Closing, Discussion, and Questions