Committees

The USSAAC committees work collaboratively with each other and the Board of Directors to realize USSAAC's mission. If you have any interest in joining a committee, please reach out to us using the Contact Us page.

Education and Ethics

  • Chair: Betsy Caporale, M.S., CCC-SLP, AAC/AT Specialist
  • Identifies topics of interest for USSAAC webinars based on survey responses and current trends
  • Recruits speakers for USSAAC webinars and facilitates webinars in collaboration with ISAAC
  • Registers webinars with ASHA and processes CEUs for webinar participants

Publications and Information

  • Chair: Alison Pentland, MA, CCC-SLP
  • Develops and maintains the USSAAC website with current information that is relevant to USSAAC members and the public
  • Supports the dissemination of USSAAC-related information through social media and other communications platforms

Membership

  • Chair: Tammy Thompson-Cooke 
  • Retains and increases USSAAC membership
  • Communicates the value and benefits of membership to current and future members, especially those who use AAC and their families and friends
  • Increases awareness and encourage membership among agencies who work with or support people and policies that impact those who use AAC

Advocacy and Public Policy

  • Chair: India Ochs
  • Identify and respond to funding threats with systemic implications
  • Engage committee members in identifying research that refutes challenges to SGD funding
  • Direct individuals reporting funding barriers to relevant policies and precedents

Nominations

  • Chair: Amy S. Goldman, MS, CCC-Sp\L
  • Tracks Officer and Director positions that stand for (re) election in the upcoming calendar year.
  • Recommends a slate to the Board of Directors
  • Conducts USSAAC's annual elections

AAC Awareness

  • Chair: Hannah Foley
  • Compiles public awareness information for dissemination
  • Organizes and implements activities undertaken during AAC Awareness Month (and beyond)

Research

  • Chair: Jill Senner
  • Identifies AAC-related research topics appropriate for support from USSAAC
  • Advocates for and facilitates the involvement of AAC users in research supported by USSAAC
  • Reviews research conducted or supported by USSAAC, preliminary to submission for publication or presentation

Development

  • Chairs: Sarah Blackstone and Tami Altschuler, MA, CCC-SLP 
  • Develops, manages, grows, and sustains projects/programs that expand USSAAC's reach and impact (e.g., Speaker connection, Member Finder, Mini Grants, Presentations at conferences, etc.)
  • Raises donations through our bi-annual Amplifying AAC Voices Campaign
  • Establishes, nurtures, and maintains relationships with donors/sponsors who support USSAAC and its programs  

Disaster Relief

  • Chairs: Krista R. Davidson, M.S., CCC-SLP and Michelle Phillippy
  • Responds to national disasters on behalf of USSAAC members and people who use AAC while working collaboratively with other organizations.
  • Develops information/materials to support ongoing disaster preparedness, response, and relief efforts on behalf of people who use AAC, their families, and other AAC stakeholders.
  • Educates emergency managers, first responders, shelter personnel, and others active in emergency or disaster as to the communication needs of individuals with disabilities.

Supporting All Becoming Empowered and Represented (SABER)

  • Chairs: Tracy Rackensperger, Ph.D. and Jaime Van-Echo
  • Hosts meaningful conversations between AAC users and families and developers to positively impact AAC technologies and services.
  • Supports other USSAAC committees and external groups to provide input from AAC users on representation concerns and needs.

Finance

  • Chair: Jennifer Bergstrom, Ed.D, CCC-SLP 
  • Reviews requests for planned and expenditures
  • Reviews agreements with fiscal notes with third parties (e.g. room rental at conferences, etc.)
  • Reports to the executive board on results of funds received (through donations, sponsorships, CE payments, Facebook fundraisers, etc.)