Miles Forma - New Rochelle, NY

My name is Miles Forma, I have been an AAC user for more than 36 years. For the past 14 years I have been making presentations to classes of students studying to be Speech Language Pathologists and Special Education Teachers at Colleges and Universities. In 2024, I created an in-person presentation to Nursing students to educate and provide them with an experience communicating with someone using AAC. In my lectures and presentations, that are based upon my personal experiences and observations, I honestly talk about the rewards and challenges these professionals will experience working with non-speaking individuals. In addition, for the past eight years I have been making a presentation about Understanding People with Disabilities to Elementary School students in the tri-State area. This presentation for 3rd thru 5th graders is about my life living with multiple disabilities and makes references to the book "Out of My Mind," by Sharon Draper. I provide visual supports to help keep the students engaged. In all of my presentations I demonstrate how access to AAC technology is beneficial and an essential tool for communication. Visit my website to learn about the work I do. I just recently finished a parent lecture to give to parents of children with special needs as well as PTA and PTO's.