Mini Grants

Thanks to sponsorships and donations, USSAAC offers small grants to USSAAC members for two purposes.

  • The first grant opportunity, Amplifying AAC Voices: Mini-Grants for Innovative Projects focuses on projects to demonstrate new and unique ways to amplify the voices of people who use AAC. The goal is to fund projects that create, expand, and promote paid speaking opportunities for people who use AAC in the US.
     
  • The second grant opportunity sponsored by USSAAC's Disaster Relief Committee provides funds to help starting a new project on disaster relief or emergency preparedness with people who use AAC, including training first responders and other emergency personnel as well as educating people who use AAC about personal preparedness.

Log in to the members section of the website to access the mini grant application.

Before submitting your application, we encourage you to review the following:

Applications must be made by a current USSAAC member and include the involvement of one or more persons who use AAC in the preparation of the application and/or the implementation of the project. USSAAC members who are higher education faculty or college/universities that hold institutional membership in USSAAC may apply on behalf of student projects. Applications are reviewed by members of USSAAC's Development Committee as they are submitted and as funds remain available for the calendar year. For more information contact, please contact us.

Past mini-grant awardees:

Amplifying AAC Voices: The Unhurried Chapter: A Book Club for People Who Use AAC

Amy Sonntag, The Ohio State University

AAC users face barriers in traditional book clubs due to rapid pacing and untrained facilitators. This project addresses these needs by creating a specialized book club featuring literature with AAC representation. Led by an SLP with 30 years' experience and trained graduate students, activities include small-group sessions focused on supportive communication strategies. By providing personal book copies, the project fosters communicative confidence, ensures representation, and expands awareness of AAC-inclusive literacy in the university and community.

Amplifying AAC Voices: Speaker Connection Research

Tami Altschuler

Through a participatory action research (PAR) approach, this study will center an AAC user as a co-researcher, ensuring their perspectives guide the research design and findings.  The project will explore how paid speaking engagements affect AAC users' personal and professional development, self esteem, and community engagement. The research aims to assess how paid speaking opportunities contribute to empowering AAC users.

Amplifying AAC Voices: Exploring AAC Users' Experiences, Needs, and Gaps in Current Systems to inform User-Driven AAC Design

Dr. Yoosun Chung, George Mason University

Dr. Youna Jung, Northeastern University

Funds will support the development, dissemination, and analysis of an accessible online survey designed specifically for AAC users. The outcome of this project will be a comprehensive technical requirements specification, including both functional and non-functional system requirements derived from AAC user data. This work is the first step in a broader interdisciplinary research-to-design effort that will inform future AAC prototype development.

Amplifying AAC Voices: Nothing About Us Without Us: Amplifying the Voices of AAC Users to Inform and Prepare Preservice SLPs

Lisa Davidson-Erwin, CSU Fullerton AAC Club

This project advances preservice speech-language pathology education by centering the voices, expertise, and lived experiences of AAC users. Through direct engagement, students deepen their understanding of diverse communication methods, systemic barriers faced by AAC users and their families, and strategies for inclusive, person-centered communication support. Structured interactions foster strong rapport, cultural and linguistic respect, and confidence during authentic communication exchanges.

Disaster Relief: Essential AAC: Preparing First Responders

Krista Davidson
University of Iowa

Disaster Relief: Rescue Voice app

Krista Davidson
University of Iowa
‎RescueVoice App - App Store
RescueVoice - Apps on Google Play

A recent USSAAC mini grant sponsored by the Disaster Relief Committee is RescueVoice, an app developed by Clinical Professor, Krista Davidson, at The University of Iowa. Made specifically for use by first responders and medical personnel, with the goal of enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of communication with individuals who have limited speech or who are unable to speak because of a medical event this app is available on iOS/Apple and Android tablets. Proceeds contribute to continued development and future upgrades to the app, such as multilingual and customization options. Please share with EMS, fire departments, police, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and schools. Support from USSAAC and local organizations in Iowa made this app possible! Visit https://rescuevoice.uiowa.edu for more information.

Amplifying AAC Voices: Autistic AAC Retreat

Kimberly Ho
Northeastern University

USSAAC SpeakUp Blog Post: Belonging at AAC Camp, Zeno Mountain Farm

This innovative program, Autistic AAC Retreat at Zeno Mountain Farm supports minimally speaking autistic adults and their families through a combination of communication services, peer connection, and immersive residential experiences. Co-directed by a person who uses AAC, it strengthens family-wide communication by involving siblings and creating social networks among families with shared experiences, reducing isolation and fostering long-term support. Graduate SLP students provide communication assistance throughout program activities, while families stay together in dedicated residential spaces that encourage skill-building in a supportive environment. When needed, participants can access further AAC assessment and device trials through the Northeastern University Speech Language Hearing Clinic. Overall, the project expands access to essential AAC services and meaningful social connections for autistic adults and their families.

Amplifying AAC Voices: Research: Speaker Connection

Tami Altschuler
New York University

Amplifying AAC Voices: "Jazzy Talkers"

Kristen Carroll
Supported Life Institute – CTEC

Amplifying AAC Voices: Breaking Barriers: Advancing Communication Access and Awareness

Rackensperger, Chung, et al
North American Alliance for Communication Access (NAACA)
Spreading the Importance of Enhancing Communication Access

Amplifying AAC Voices: Paving the Path through Partnership

Hannah Foley; Ellyn McNamara
Trinity Christian College

Amplifying AAC Voices: Celebrating AAC Awareness

Karen Baca
Berkeley Unified School District
Celebrate AAC Awareness Month This Year