[senit] Notifications and Announcements

Dear All,

This week's notice includes: 

1. Announcement - International AAC Awareness Month writing contest

Full details below. 

If you have any announcements, information about courses, details of conferences, job vacancies that you would like included in future notices please email details to: senit-owner at lists.becta.org.uk

Regards, 

Carmel
Becta

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1. Announcement - International AAC Awareness Month writing contest

Please draw your attention to the following news from ISAAC concerning an exciting writing contest which forms part of the International AAC Awareness Month in October 2008.
The Trustees of Communication Matters would like to encourage participation from as many people in the UK as possible, so please do find out more about how to enter the contest from www.aacawareness.org

'MANY STORIES - ONE VOICE' WRITING CONTEST
Our past, present and future will always be connected by the stories that are told – whether it was from the town crier, grandmothers passing along family tales, books, artwork, song, newspapers or now in the age of video and the internet – stories always have a place in society and impact all who hear them.  No matter what your age is, what country you are from, what ethnicity or race you are, where you work or go to school, you have something to say, a story to tell, and the world is ready to listen! 
On behalf of ISAAC and 2008 International AAC Awareness Month, we invite you to have your voice heard around the world by entering the 'Many Stories - One Voice' WRITING CONTEST.

About the Contest: 

Each story should be written for young children and must include AAC within it (such as a character who uses AAC, a character learning about AAC, or AAC as a theme in the storyline). All Stories will be compiled into an online publication and available to be read during 2008 International AAC Awareness Month events. Select stories will be highlighted at ISAAC’s 13th Biennual Conference in Montreal, Canada.

Stories can be submitted in words, artwork, cartoons, photographs or other written or visual medium.  All written stories should be limited to 500 words and capable of being read at one sitting.

About 2008 International AAC Awareness Month:

ISAAC is proud to announce the second annual International AAC Awareness Month in October 2008. In conjunction with ISAAC’s 25th anniversary celebration, the International AAC Awareness Month will have events at local schools, libraries and other community centers around the world to give people who use AAC opportunities to increase their voice in their communities and to raise public awareness on AAC issues. The theme for 2008’s International AAC Awareness Month is promoting AAC and literacy. 

WHAT CAN YOU DO? 

•	Spread the word! Forward this email to everyone you know involved with AAC. Download and print out the contest flyer and post it at your local school,  library, or other public place. Make a public service announcement at your school, a group meeting or other gathering that  involves people who use AAC. Pass out the flyer at conferences! 
•	Start planning events for International AAC Awareness Month.  Be a leader in your community by organizing a reading time or other event during October to raise awareness of AAC! 
•	And of course, if you are a person who uses AAC, Submit a Story! 
For more information on how to enter the 'Many Stories - One Voice' Writing Contest or how to bring International AAC Awareness Month to your community visit www.aacawareness.org or email us at info at aacawareness.org

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