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Bill would fund University of Oregon camp to expand AAC access and train speech‑language pathologists
Summary
HB 3053 would provide $40,000 to a University of Oregon program (Ducks in Action) to operate an inclusive overnight camp for children who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and to provide hands‑on training for graduate speech‑language pathology students.
Representative Courtney Neron told the committee that House Bill 3053 would fund Ducks in Action, a University of Oregon program that combines an inclusive overnight summer camp for children who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) with clinical training for graduate speech‑language pathologists.
Janine Brush, a clinical associate professor in the University of Oregon Communication Disorders and Sciences program, described the model: campers who use AAC would receive intensive daily therapy focused on language, literacy and social communication goals while also participating in traditional camp activities; caregivers would receive training and peer support; and graduate student clinicians would serve as counselors while receiving faculty supervision and concentrated AAC clinical experience.
Brush said national surveys show many graduate clinicians report inadequate AAC preparation; she told the committee that only about 14 overnight camps for AAC users exist in the U.S., mostly on the East Coast, and that the University of Oregon’s combined model (direct therapy, caregiver coaching, and graduate clinician training) would be unique. Representative Neron said the bill requests $40,000 and framed it as a strategic investment to improve services in rural areas and increase AAC competency in the SLP workforce.
Ending: Testimony emphasized inclusion, caregiver training, and workforce development; sponsor and witnesses asked the committee to fund the pilot to increase access and build AAC competency among future SLPs. Written testimony was offered for additional detail.
