Speaker: Beth Speaker-Christensen
Session Description:
Ethical AAC practice is essential to designing communication systems that truly support every voice. This session explores the ethical responsibilities of clinicians, caregivers, and AAC communicators across the lifespan. Presenters will examine bias, professional competence, and feature matching, emphasizing how ethical decision-making reduces device abandonment. Topics include Erin’s Law, access to sexual health vocabulary, cultural and linguistic considerations, and platform‑first approaches. Participants will leave with practical guidance for designing AAC systems that are safe, inclusive, and built for growth.
Objectives:
- Define ethics and bias and analyze their impact on AAC assessment and feature matching.
- Evaluate ethical considerations related to Erin’s Law, advocacy, and vocabulary access in AAC systems.
- Describe strategies that promote self‑advocacy, safety, and culturally responsive AAC practices.
Speaker Bio:
Elizabeth “Beth” Speaker‑Christensen, MA, CCC‑SLP/L, ATP, is a speech‑language pathologist and owner of AAC Helper, LLC, a private practice specializing in AAC evaluation and intervention. She has supported AAC users of all ages across hospitals, schools, skilled nursing facilities, non-profits, and specialty clinics. Beth is an Assistive Technology Professional through RESNA, a LAMP-certified provider, and holds an Assistive Technology Certificate from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She serves on RESNA’s Professional Standards Board and is Chair of the USSAAC Membership Committee. Beth is passionate