Mysore/Mysuru: A two-day Conference on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) will be held at All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), Mysuru, from Jan. 11.

AAC refers to a variety of communication techniques used by people who are unable to do verbal communication. The International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) works to improve the lives of children and adults who use AAC. 

Joining hands with India Chapter of ISAAC, the Centre for AAC and Sign Language, Centre of Excellence, AIISH,  is organising ISAAC India AAC Conference-2024 with the  theme “Bridging the Gap: Empowering Diverse Communicators with Recent Trends in AAC.” This conference is approved as Continual Rehabilitation Education (CRE) programme by Rehabilitation Council of India.

It will have four scientific sessions, five keynote lectures, three industry presentations and 20 research paper presentations. The keynote speakers include Bhavna Botta (President, ISAAC India Chapter), David Goldberg (RESNA, New Jersey, USA), Dr. Vicki R. Casella (Bridge School, California), Dr. Rajinder Koul (University of Texas, Austin, USA) and Dr. Sudha Kaul (Founder & former Director, Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy, Kolkata).

The industry presenters include Narayanan Ramakrishnan (CEO of Avaz Inc.), Jayasudan Munsamy (Founder & CEO, Deep Vision Tech Pvt. Ltd. Bengaluru) and Dr. Mukta Vasal (Co-Founder, NerdNerdy). A panel discussion on “Challenges towards effective use of AAC in India” has also been included.

The conference will be attended by about 100 delegates from various parts of the country. They include persons with disability who are using AAC, their caregivers, rehabilitation professionals, social workers, technologists, speech language pathologists and special educators.

Padma Shri Dr. Sudha Kaul, former President of ISAAC, will inaugurate the Conference tomorrow at 9.30 am at the Seminar Hall, Academic Block, AIISH, Mysuru.

Bhavna Botta, President ISAAC India Chapter, will preside. David Goldberg, Assistive Technology Specialist, Rehab Engineering Society of North America, New Jersey, will be the guest of honour. Dr. M. Pushpavathi, Director, AIISH, will be present.