The 43rd annual Closing The Gap Conference is right around the corner! Join us at the PRC-Saltillo booth to test drive an AAC device, explore the new Unity® AAC app, or chat about implementation ideas.
Check out our top six sessions and experience new strategies, resources, and technology!
All About Connections: Bridging Literacy and Language with AAC Learners
Discover free, new resources from Readtopia and PRC-Saltillo designed specifically to increase participation and communication of AAC learners during reading and writing intervention. Leave this session with new-found confidence to bridge communication and language development with literacy instruction so you can create more inclusive, engaging, and effective learning experiences for emergent communicators using AAC.
Presenters: Beth Waite-Lafever, M.A., CCC-SLP-ATP and Maureen Donnelly, M.Ed
Date: October 22, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Location: Plaza 4
Integrating Play and Communication: AAC & CVI Strategies for Young Children
This session provides 10 actionable tips to support children as they learn to see and communicate. Gain insights into creating inclusive environments and leave equipped with tools to empower children to thrive in their everyday lives.
Presenters: Stefanie Olson, M.S., CCC-SLP and Lynda Crouch, M.S., CLVT/ATP/MOT Perkins-Roman CVI Specialist
Date: October 22, 2025 | 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Plaza 3
Explore the potential of iPads in Assistive Technology! Receive an introduction to VersaEye®, VersaSpeaker™, and VersaWrap™ and their role in enhancing accessibility in the classroom and beyond.
Presenter: Connie McCafferty, M.A., CCC-SLP
Date: October 23, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Location: Plaza 1
Explore the collaborative efforts of a multidisciplinary team to support a student in transition with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI), a physical disability, and complex communication needs. The student will begin with switches, but limited progress will lead the team to explore eye gaze technology for more effective access. The team—including family, educators, vision itinerant teacher, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, physical therapist, and nurse—will work together to tailor supports, adjust the environment, and design an accessible communication system.
Presenter: Sandy Czernik
Date: October 23, 2025 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Atrium 7
Eye Gaze Technology: A Tool for Children to Communicate, Connect and Play
Explore case studies that provide concrete examples of how children are using eye gaze to not only develop language and communicate as they independently access communication applications and speech-generating devices, but also to play and interact with applications on tablets. All of these have profound positive impacts on individuals’ independence, relationships with others, participation in daily life, and quality of life.
Presenter: Jill Tullman, M.S., CCC-SLP
Date: October 23, 2025 | 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Atrium 7
Literacy Group: Language, Literacy, Learning, and Leisure!
Learn how to start your own language, literacy, learning, and leisure group based on in-depth study of topics such as countries, habitats, Black History, or a specific book study. Reflect on diverse stories of implementing this approach both in-person and remotely, with adolescents, teens, and adults, led by SLPs and parents. View samples of materials, interactive opportunities, tools, and logistics in this interactive session.
Presenters: Dr. Caroline Musselwhite, CCC-SLP, Krista Howard, AA, SLP-A, Beth Waite-Lafever, M.A., CCC-SLP-ATP
Date: October 23, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Bloomington
Closing The Gap is a great time to explore new technology and resources so that all students can succeed! See you in Minneapolis October 21-24!
