“ASSIST – Assistive Technologies” Foundation organises the

3rd International Conference on
Augmentative and Alternative Communication – AAC2020

with the support by

UNICEF – Bulgaria

 Ministry of Education and Science

ISAAC – International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication

The Conference presents  contemporary approaches and technologies for children and adults with communication difficulties – cerebral palsy, autism, multiple disabilities, intellectual disabilities, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and others:  

• Talks on modern approaches, methods, and technologies for augmentative and alternative communication, given by leading experts.
• Workshops presenting the experience and best practices in working and teaching children with cerebral palsy, autism, multiple disabilities and others.
• The experience of the Bulgarian professionals working with augmentative and alternative communication.
• Policies in Bulgaria for inclusive education and early intervention related to AAC.
• Personal experience of people in Bulgaria who are already using modern assistive technologies for AAC.

Invited Talks

Prof. Stephen von Tetzchner, University of Oslo, Norway – Learning a graphic language
Prof. Juliet Goldbart, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK – Communication strategies for children and adults with profound intellectual disability: preparing the way for AAC
Prof. Martine Smith, Trinity College, Ireland – AAC in Adolescence
Prof. Michael Clarke, University College London, UK – Assessment of Looking Behaviours: Eye-pointing Classification Scale
Prof. Kristine Stadskleiv, PhD, Oslo University Hospital, Norway – AAC and Literacy
Dr. Beata Batorowicz, Queen’s University, Canada – Environmental influences and social context of children and young people who use AAC
Dr. Gill Roth, D-Bur, Israel – Enabling AAC Users to Participate in Digital Life
Dr. Judy Wine, Omer Center for AAC and AT – Strategies to Develop Communicative Interaction with Children with Rett Syndrome
Aldona Mysakowska-Adamczyk,  “Mowić bez Słów” – ISAAC, Poland – Creating aided language environment at home – the role of parents
Dorothy Fraser, ISAAC BUILD, Scotland – “The Pleasure of Stories” for children with and without disabilities: Making and using props for story-telling and creating stories
Yonit Hagoel-Karnieli, National Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication “Ezer Mizion”, Israel – Patient-provider communication in the times of COVID-19
Vardit Kindler, OMER Center for AAC, Israel – Using assistive technology to promote participation in play for children with complex communication needs
Sharon Shaham, OMER Center for AAC, Israel – “Efshar Lomar” – A Hebrew core driven communication display
Yedida Levine Sterenberg, OMER Center for AAC, Israel – Augmentative Communication for Beginning Communicators
Netta Ben Zeev, Israel – The Right to Be Heard: Making the process of investigation and testimony of people with complex communication difficulties accessible using AAC
Prof. Maurice Grinberg, “ASSIST – Assistive Technologies” Foundation, New Bulgarian University, Bulgaria.

Personal Experience with AAC

Kathrin Lemler –  Alternative and Augmentative Communication: How tech allowed me to study instead of ending up in a ball pit
Anna Krasteva  – How I have fun, learn and play
Angela Pencheva
Stanislav Nikov

AAC & Technology

Idalie Fernandez,  Tobii Dynavox, Sweden – The Eyegaze Learning Curve and Ecosystem
Tina Voisey, Education Manager, Tobii Dynavox, Sweden – Supporting Communication, Behaviour and Participation with Boardmaker 7
Royden James, Tobii Dynavox, Sweden – The Future of Access, Independence, and AAC
Bethany Diener, Tobii Dynavox, Sweden – Expand Participation for Persons with Aphasia
Nadine Farris, Inclusive Technology, UK – Inclusive Technology: All the help you need!
Emma Haines, Danielle Foakes, Smartbox, UK – Exploring how Grid and Grid Pads can help you to communicate and live a more independent life
John Stacey, Pretorian Technologies, UK – AACtivity – Communication + Music = lots of learning fun!
Petri Latva-Rasku, Quha, Finland – Quha Zono 2 Head Mouse

Bulgarian Experience in AAC

prof. Maurice Grinberg, dr. Evgeniya Hristova, Desislava Chakarova, ASSIST – Assistive Technologies Foundation – Eye control for children with severe physical disabilities in residential services
Biser Borisov, PCSPIE Targovishte – Using and customising Communicator 5 in school settings
Silviya Aladjova, 171 Kindergarten, Sofia – The freedom to learn differently
Christina Davcheva, Pavlina Deskova, Desislava Pavlova, CSES Pleven – Assistive technоlogies and their importance in distance learning
Veselka Bakish, Velina Mitreva, Dimiter Kozarev, CSES Plovdiv – Positive impact of interventions using Look to Learn
Elena Kanlieva, CSES Velingrad – Using assistive technologies and alternative communication 

The working languages of the conference are Bulgarian and English.

For talks in Bulgarian simultaneous translation into English is provided.

To participate in the conference it is required to register and pay a participation fee before November 16th, 2020.