Comprehensive Literacy for All Applied Book Study - Register by September 18th!

• Discover 10 success factors for helping students with significant disabilities become literate
• Teach emergent readers and writers skillfully, with evidence-based strategies for shared and independent reading, early writing instruction, and alphabetic and phonological awareness
• Help students acquire conventional literacy skills, with adaptable strategies for teaching reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing, decoding, and spelling
• Organize and deliver comprehensive literacy instruction in a variety of settings, both inside and outside of school
• Use assistive technology effectively to support reading, writing, and communication
• Engage and motivate students and make literacy instruction meaningful to their everyday lives

This book study will be coordinated by Elisa Wern.  Elisa Wern is an Occupational Therapist, with a Master’s Degree in Special Education, and a RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) with over 20 years of experience in pediatric therapy. She presents at a variety of state and national conferences, including regional trainings, CEC, PATINS A2E, and ATIA, OTAP/ECHO TIES Project, and AAC in the Cloud. She is the Local Assistive Technology Specialist for Alachua County Schools in Gainesville, Florida, where she coordinates AT services for the district and serves as the Lead Occupational Therapist. In her spare work time, she has a private practice, AT & OT Consulting and Coaching, supporting students and families primarily through teletherapy evaluations, consultations, and interventions. She is currently coordinating the International book study on Comprehensive Literacy for All online.

Who is Eligible to Participate?

Up to 25 people may participate in this book study.  This will be on a first-come basis. Individuals who may participate include:

• Special Education Teachers
• General Education Teachers
• Early Childhood Teachers / Early Interventionists
• Speech-Language Pathologists
• Occupational Therapists / Occupational Therapist Assistants
• Physical Therapists / Physical Therapist Assistants
• Assistive Technology Specialists
• Special Education Directors
• Coaches / Facilitators
• Others who work with children/students receiving special education services.

What will AAC Literacy Book Study Participants Be Expected to Do?

• Individuals will need to provide their own copy of the book.  Books may be obtained through many services including
  • Amazon
  • Brookes Publishing
• Attend monthly meetings to discuss the book's chapter.
• Read the assigned chapters in advance of each monthly meeting.
• Make an action plan of next steps based on what is learned from the book. 

What Benefits and Resources will AAC Literacy Book Study Participants Receive?

• Participants will have opportunities to dive into the book's content and network with each other about it.
• Recognition as a completer of the 2026-2027 AAC Literacy Applied Book Study through a certificate of completion, letters to administrators, press releases, and social media releases.

When will the AAC Literacy Book Study Activities Occur?

The AAC Literacy Book Study group will meet monthly via Zoom.  Opportunities to access resources and asynchronous discussion will be available via Canvas.  The first meeting will be in late September/early October.  The monthly meetings will continue through June 2027.  The remaining meetings will be set by the Book Study Lead and the members of the book study.  

How do I Register?

Registration for the AAC Literacy Book Study is on a first-come basis.  Registration closes on 9/18/2026.