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Mary Kay Walch
651-294-2218
mwalch@ablenetinc.com


AbleNet Is 100%
EMPLOYEE-OWNED!

As an owner, each individual shares in AbleNet's success, and ultimately, your success in the home or classroom. Everyone at AbleNet takes pride in his or her work and takes extra steps to do a better job. We are dedicated to Customer Satisfaction! That means delivering the right tool to the right person.





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CONTACT: Mary Kay Walch: 651-294-2218

 

The AbleNet Literacy / ISAAC Award International Call for 2008 Nominations


St. Paul MN (July 13, 2007) AbleNet Inc., and the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) are currently seeking international nominations for 'The AbleNet Literacy / ISAAC Award,' in recognition of individuals or groups who are furthering the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and literacy.

The award is open to all ISAAC members and those in the process of becoming members. General guidelines for determining eligibility include any group or individual who is:

  • Helping people develop the ability to read and write, as well as use AAC systems.
  • Actively advocating literacy for people with disabilities via workshops, presentations, professional training, consultations, authoring papers, etc.
  • Fostering literacy experiences in persons with severe/profound to moderate disabilities.
  • Raising the beliefs of professionals, educators, parents and caregivers that persons with significant disabilities can have meaningful literacy experiences.

This unique literacy award was first offered in 1998 as the 'Don Johnston Award.' At the time, alternative and augmentative communication focused solely on communication for the sake of communication, but Don Johnston and other researchers saw it differently. They believed people communicate more effectively when they are literate. To that end, the award has always sought to honor professionals who advocate the idea of blending AAC with literacy.

Today, because AbleNet has been a longtime proponent of pairing AAC technologies with literacy-based curricula, specifically designed for students with significant disabilities, the company has elected to sponsor the award, now called the 'AbleNet Literacy / ISAAC Award' exclusively with ISAAC.

AbleNet Co-founder and Board Member Cheryl Volkman explains the company's sponsorship as follows, "We are committed to merging AAC with literacy as evidenced by our product offerings, specifically the AbleNet Student Achievement Program, which blends special education curricula with assistive technologies, ongoing professional development and district support. Students with moderate and severe disabilities can experience literacy, and their experiences can be enriched and made more meaningful through a variety of AAC supports. We have the research that proves it, but it's the personal stories from speech and language professionals, teachers and parents that really drives the point home. By sponsoring The AbleNet Literacy / ISAAC Award, our hope is to find and recognize others who are making strides in the important field of AAC and literacy."

The winner of this prestigious award will receive $2000 USD, plus $500 USD toward travel to the 13th Biennial ISAAC Conference, in Montréal, Québec, August 2 - 7, 2008, where he or she will be featured as a keynote speaker on the topic of AAC and literacy. The deadline for submissions is January 15, 2008.

For additional information about the AbleNet Literacy / ISAAC Award, including detailed submission guidelines, application process, selection committee, and past winners, visit http://www.ablenetinc.com/award.asp. For information about ISAAC and the 13th Biennial ISAAC Conference visit http://www.isaac2008.org/. To submit a nomination or ask any other questions, email mona.zaccak@isaac-online.org.


About AbleNet

AbleNet offers a complete line of assistive technology products, including communication aids for non-verbal students, and access aids, such as switches and wheelchair mounting devices for students who require physical supports. The company is also recognized for developing research-based special education curricula that meet state and federal mandates. Located in Roseville, Minnesota, AbleNet is an ESOP company that sells its products through a network of distributors in more than 50 countries. AbleNet's products and programs have been used in tens of thousands of classrooms nationally for more than 20 years. For more information, visit www.ablenetinc.com.


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