Professional Learning Series: Supporting Communicative Competence
Dates: Sept. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 13, 2025 & Jan. 15, Feb. 19, Mar. 19, Apr. 16, 2026, 4:00-5:00 pm (EST)
Presenters: Jacqueline Kearns, EdD & Judy Page, PhD, CCC-SLP
Location: Virtual
No Cost
Click here to access the event flyer and registration link.
Questions?
Contact Jodi Dowell, TVI and Research Associate, University of Cincinnati Systems Development & Improvement Center, at dowelljr@ucmail.uc.edu
Series description: Developing communicative competence for children with combined hearing-vision loss, sensory impairment, and/or multiple disabilities can be challenging. The Supporting Communicative Competence Professional Learning Series includes seven one-hour virtual sessions focused on core and fringe vocabulary, considering the needs of children with visual and hearing impairment, using core as part of the curriculum, developing peer supports, fostering communication partner strategies and social networks, and preparing students with complex communication needs for transition, and more. Special and general preschool and school-age educators, related services personnel (e.g., speech language pathologists), paraprofessionals, administrators, parents, and others are invited to attend. One (1) contact hour will be provided for each session attended upon completion of the session evaluation. See the learning objectives for each of the seven sessions and register for one or more sessions today!
Primary presenters/facilitators:
Jacqueline Kearns, EdD – Dr. Kearns directs Communication Projects at the Human Development Institute at the University of Kentucky. With expertise in serving students requiring complex support needs, she supports professional learning for educators in the areas of communication, and curriculum access. She holds an adjunct faculty appointment in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Judy Page, PhD, CCC-SLP – Dr. Page is a Professor in Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Health Sciences, at the University of Kentucky. She serves as recent past president of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Her primary areas of interest are communication intervention strategies for persons with severe disabilities and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. She is a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the National Academies of Practice, a recipient of the Honors of the Kentucky Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and a past nominee for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation’s DiCarlo Award for Outstanding Clinical Achievement.
September 18, 2025
Session 1: Introduction to Core Vocabulary
Learning Objectives:
- Define core and fringe vocabulary
- Identify key features of core and fringe vocabulary
- Identify evidence supporting the use of core vocabulary
- Identify AAC arrangements for core vocabulary
- Use aided language modeling to teach core vocabulary
October 16, 2025
Session 2: Implementing Core Vocabulary
Learning Objectives:
- Identify key features of tactile core representations
- Identify strategies for teaching tactile core arrangements
- Identify strategies for using the tactile core and literacy materials
November 13, 2025
Session 3: The Communication Classroom
Learning Objectives:
- Describe 3 strategies for making AAC available in classroom settings
- Identify three strategies for implementing multi-modal communication in classroom settings
January 15, 2026
Session 4: Communication Partner Superheroes
Learning Objectives:
- Identify and describe appropriate communication partner skills.
- Identify ways to shift practices from continuous, direct adult supports to facilitator of peer support arrangements in inclusive settings.
- Identify what peer classmates need to know to effectively interact and communicate with peers who are learning to use AAC.
February 19, 2026
Session 5: Communication Impacting Factors for Children with Motor and Sensory Integration
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the motor and sensory integration characteristics impacting communication and the use of Augmentative Alternative Communication.
- Identify strategies for accommodating motor and sensory integration challenges for ensuring communication and AAC access.
March 19, 2026
Session 6: Communication Impacting Factors for Children with Visual Impairment
Learning Objectives:
- Identify impacting factors related to AAC Use
- Identify vision factors that may impact communication and AAC use.
- Identify strategies for supporting communication and AAC use among students with visual impairments.
April 16, 2026
Session 7: Communication Impacting Factors for Children with Hearing Impairment
Learning Objectives:
- Identify impacting factors related to hearing and AAC use.
- Identify hearing factors that may impact communication and AAC use.
- Identify strategies for supporting communication and AAC use among students with hearing impairments.
