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USSAAC's Gulf State Hurricane Relief Plan

The United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC) is assisting individuals who rely on AAC, their families and the professionals serving them who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina and Rita. USSAAC will help children and adults who can benefit from AAC (including professionals, agencies, rehabilitation centers, hospitals and organizations serving them) to gain access to AAC equipment (devices, communication displays, batteries, etc.), AAC materials (books, software, etc.) and AAC/ATAT services. Through its Web site, USSAAC is currently accepting donations of money, equipment/materials and services/supports. We are working with AAC/AT manufacturers and AAC/AT professionals to meet the immediate and long-term communication needs of people affected by Katrina and Rita.

For further information you may want to read our FAQ's.

Meet Meher Banajee, USSAAC's Gulf State Hurricane Relief Plan Coordinator

To coordinate USSAAC's Gulf State Hurricane Relief Plan, USSAAC has enlisted Meher Banajee, a New Orleans–area speech-language pathologist displaced by Katrina and Rita. Her salary is being paid with funds given to USSAAC by anonymous donors.

Donate Dollars

$4,135 as of November 14, 2005. Thank you!

You can directly donate dollars online with your debit/credit card or via PayPal. USSAAC will work with volunteers and vendors to repair, provide or replace equipment, as well as provide materials and/or support services to people who rely on AAC and need access to communication devices. All donated dollars go directly to the relief effort, not administrative costs.

If you wish to mail your contribution, you may download the PDF form, print it out and mail it to:

USSAAC Katrina Relief Plan

15 West 72nd Street

Suite 10B

New York, NY 10023

Donate AAC and AT Equipment, Materials and Services

1. You can list AAC/AT equipment and materials you are able to donate.
2. You can list types of expertise, services, support, etc. that you can donate.

Employment

1. You can post job openings. (Tell us about a job opportunity in the AAC/AT area.)
2. You can post job needs. (Tell us about a job you need in the AAC/AT area.)

Ask for help

You can ask for AAC technologies or services you need to support communication access for people in impacted areas, or for evacuees who have moved into your area.

Communication support for individuals who rely on AAC displaced by the storms

Communication displays: You can download and use these displays to support individuals who rely on AAC in talking about their experience.

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News-2-You: A special edition on the Hurricanes by the well-known weekly newspaper for beginning readers and individuals with special needs.

• English Version
• Spanish Version
• English with symbols

Links to Manufacturers Participating in This Plan

AAC/AT vendors recognize the value of supporting USSAAC's Gulf State Hurricane Relief Plan. Many are actively working within their companies to support those in need.

Links to Other Organizations

Many AAC - and AT - related organizations support individuals who rely on AAC, and some are actively working to support those in need.

Contact Us

E-mail: Katrina@ussaac.org

Fax: 831-646-5428

Phone: 877-8USSAAC