MontCOMM ’26 – More Than Words
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MontCOMM means yearly access to experts in AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), bringing quality training to Montana’s own backyard to help professionals and family members build their capacity to support people of all ages with communication challenges.
Our Featured Speaker for MontCOMM ’26:
Heidi L. Rabe (MA, CCC-SLP/L) is a Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with 25 years of experience working with children and adults with complex communication challenges; she specializes in AAC and language supports.
Heidi has presented nationally and internationally on topics related to AAC, contributed to the podcast Talking with Tech, and worked in a variety of private and educational settings. She started Authentic Expression, LLC, a private practice specializing in AAC, in 2016. She also offers AAC/Assistive Technology Coaching to school districts. Heidi is a member of the ASHA AAC online community, the administrator for IL AAC on Facebook, and a co-founder of the IL AAC Community Center which brings families, AAC users, and professionals together for learning and socializing.
At MontCOMM ’26, Heidi’s sessions focus on emotional competency, scanning to access communication, and creative uses for communication (spoiler alert: this will be fun!).
Esteemed Speakers Presenting Remotely
Paige Buckingham (M.S., CCC-SLP) has dedicated 35 years to the field of Speech-Language Pathology, including 32 years in public schools. In her current role as the Assistive Technology Lead Facilitator for Kansas Infinitec, Paige facilitates Sustaining Assistive Technology Services (SATS) teams and provides technical assistance across Kansas.
Having “failed retirement,” Paige also serves as an independent consultant through Buckingham Educational Services & Training, LLC. She presents nationally as a keynote, pre-conference speaker, and workshop presenter on Executive Functioning and its Impact on Behavior, Assistive Technology, and the impact of Cortical Visual Impairment on AAC.
Dr. Carole Zangari (Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BCS-CL) is a Professor at Nova Southeastern University, where she teaches master’s/doctoral courses in AAC and coordinates the AAC Lab. In addition, Dr. Zangari serves as the Executive Director of the Broward satellite of the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD).
Dr. Zangari is the co-author of TELL ME: AAC in the Preschool Classroom and TELL ME, Too: Elementary and Middle School Edition. Dr. Zangari recently co-authored a multimedia online training module on AAC and Autism. She blogs at www.PrAACticalAAC.org.
MontCOMM ’26 is pleased to welcome Rudy Via! Rudy is a PRC-Saltillo AAC Ambassador with 30 years of lived experience with communication devices. Rudy is tech savvy and a serious gamer, as well as a fluent AAC user and an avid teacher of all things AAC.
We are happy to announce Rudy will provide both a 20-minute presentation and a live Q&A. MontCOMM attendees have come to expect at least one stellar session featuring lived experience, and Rudy’s session is guaranteed to impress. Learn more about Rudy
MontCOMM ticket prices have not increased since our first conference in 2019. Follow us on Facebook for scholarship opportunities and the latest MontCOMM news.
$50.00 to attend remotely or in person in Missoula on August 14th – no CEUs
$100.00 to attend remotely or in person in Missoula on August 14th – with CEUs
$40.00 for Family Track on August 13th.
This course is approved for 6 renewal units for OPI. 0.6 ASHA CEUs and .6 MOTA CEUs expected and in process.
Full-day attendance and completion of the post-conference evaluation required to earn MOTA and OPI credits. In order to be reported to the ASHA CE Registry, attendees must attend the entire conference (online or in person), complete the post-conference evaluation, and complete the learner self-assessment survey.
Ditch Zoom for the Room!
MonTECH ensures a quality experience for remote attendees, but there are major perks if you join us in person: facetime with our featured speaker and AAC vendors (all experts in trouble-shooting with AAC), free merch, prizes, and opportunity to get hands-on with AAC and education supports. Not to mention, a night out in fabulous Missoula, MT!
MontCOMM ’26 Learning Objectives
Learners will be able to:
- Describe at least three benefits of teaching AAC users emotional vocabulary
- Determine when partner-assisted scanning is an appropriate method of communication
- Identify the impact of vision, specifically CVI, on AAC access, symbol choices, and device selection
- Model at least three creative ways to support AAC users
- Explain at least three benefits of using AAC to compose creative writing
- Model at least three ways to use AAC to support functional independence
- Summarize considerations when using AI with AAC users
- Discuss how to use word sorts to build skills with core and fringe vocabulary
- Describe the use of language experience surveys to increase AAC use with a variety of communication partners and strengthen vocabulary knowledge
MontCOMM ’26 Agenda
8:00-8:15 Welcome
8:15-9:45 Session 1 with Heidi Rabe: Who’s Happy? Not Me! Introducing Emotional Competency for AAC Users
9:45-10:00 Break
10:00-10:30 Session 2 remotely with PRC-Saltillo AAC Ambassador Rudy Via
10:30-11:45 Session 3 Breakouts (Attendees have opportunity to attend two of the three breakouts)
- Heidi Rabe in person: Diving into Scanning for Communication
- Dr. Carole Zangari remotely: AACtual Instruction: Language Intervention Activities
- Paige Buckingham remotely: AAC and Complex Visual Needs
11:45-12:45 Lunch (provided)
12:45-2:00 Session 4 Breakouts
- Heidi Rabe in person: Diving into Scanning for Communication
- Dr. Carole Zangari remotely: AACtual Instruction: Language Intervention Activities
- Paige Buckingham remotely: AAC and Complex Visual Needs
2:00-2:15 Break
2:15-3:45 Session 5 with Heidi Rabe: Creative use of AAC!
3:45-4:00 Wrap-up, CEUs, and PRIZES!
Family Track is Back! Family Track was so awesome last year, we’re bringing it back, updating, and opening it up to families statewide through remote access.
Happening in person in Missoula and online on August 13th, 12:30-4:30, this content is prepared specially for parents, guardians, grandparents, foster parents – anyone caring for someone with communication challenges!
Families will learn about AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) options, what an evaluation might look like, and the difference between a medical recommendation and a school recommendation. Attendees will hear lived experience from AAC user L.J. Seiff, and will have space to visit with each other.
Families who attend Family Track are welcome to attend MontCOMM for free on August 14th. Childcare is not provided for either event, but children (of all ages) with diagnoses are most welcome to attend – as are any personal care staff they may need. ♥ Register for Family Track.
Scholarship Opportunities for In-person Attendance of Family Track and MontCOMM
(MAEP/OPI scholarships open now! Application info coming soon for MTF2F and CSHS scholarships.)
Courtesy of Katie Mattingley (Montana Autism Education Project, OPI), $3,400 in MontCOMM scholarships will be awarded to SLPs, OTs, educators, and other professionals affiliated with Montana’s public schools. Therapists working in private practice who serve public-school students also qualify for these scholarships. The scholarships cover registration costs: $50 if no CEUs are needed, $100 for those who need CEUs. These scholarships are for in-person attendees to help offset travel costs. This scholarship opportunity closes July 7th; apply here ASAP!
Courtesy of Jennifer Banna (Montana Family to Family Health Information Center), scholarships for five free Family Track tickets are available for family members and guardians of Montanans who are nonspeaking or struggle to speak. Family Track tickets include the option of attending MontCOMM for free on August 14th. These scholarships are for in-person attendees to help offset travel costs. This scholarship does not cover CEUs.
Courtesy of Kim Brown (Montana Transition Resources Project and Children’s Special Health Services), $500 in MontCOMM scholarships will be awarded to SLPs, OTs, educators, or other professionals who are not affiliated with public schools. Families who wish to attend Family Track on August 13th may also apply (scholarships for Family Track include a free pass to MontCOMM). The scholarships cover registration costs: $50 if no CEUs are needed, $100 for those who need CEUs. These scholarships are for in-person attendees to help offset travel costs.
Our vendors add an additional level of expert support! Take advantage of this opportunity to handle the latest devices and discuss specific challenges
As a private-practice speech-language pathologist, Samantha Strong specialized in AAC, conducting evals and supporting children and adults (in Spanish and English) with a wide range of speech and language disorders. Now she’s a rep for PRC-Saltillo and she’s coming to MontCOMM ’26! As a consultant, Samantha empowers individuals using AAC through clinical expertise, bilingual support, and education. She mentors clinicians, advocates for inclusive communication, and delivers AAC training across diverse settings, fostering confidence and competence. Samantha will also lead sessions for MonTECH’s Family Track in 2026!
Adapted4U is a new online toy store featuring unique switch-adapted toys. Montana entrepreneur Jackson Allen will show our conference attendees examples of his innovative work including toys that have multiple actions/switches. He’ll do ‘press one and done’ toys, but his interest is in taking switch-adapted toys further in a way that allows more interaction both with toys and with peers. Jackson also does custom work. Check out his super fun inventory at MontCOMM!
Steph Fischer will attend MontCOMM on behalf of Smartbox (formerly Talk to Me Technologies). Steph is a speech-language pathologist who specializes in empowering students and parents of children with communication disorders. Smartbox is a company that emphasizes individualized support for SLPs, educators, and care teams with real-time help. Smartbox communication devices include Grid Pad, Talk Pad, Wego, and Eye Gaze – as well as custom communication boards for indoor and outdoor installment.
Jeff Haley, a Communication Technician from Montana Accessible Communications (MTAC), will join us to share information about free services MTAC provides for low-income Montanans with complex communication needs.
MTAC is a state program that offers free access to assistive equipment for hearing and, for those who qualify, alternative communication! MTAC provides long-term loans of iPads and other iOS devices, and communication apps, at no charge to individuals who meet their minimal criteria. Jeff will explain who can access this service and how to do it.
Keith Jackson is a regional consultant for Control Bionics. He has over 22 years of experience specializing in assistive technology and AAC solutions. Keith‘s favorite part of his job is helping clinicians and patients set up devices for both communication and environmental control, and he’s experienced with setting up mounts for bed and wheelchair use.
Montanans can borrow NeuroNode Trilogy from MonTECH, and Keith is an expert in the Trilogy. If you ever work with patients or students with progressive illness – or anticipate that you might – make it a high priority to come visit with Keith at MontCOMM ’26.
Helena Misry, SLP, will be at MontCOMM ’26 to represent Tobii Dynavox. More info to come.
Jennifer Stanley joined Lingraphica in 2018. Jen has been a speech-language pathologist for 29 years, experienced in providing speech and language services for the adult population in the acute, skilled, outpatient and home health settings. Jennifer also has early intervention experience providing speech and language services in the natural environment. She is passionate about helping people with aphasia rediscover their voice, and caring for caregivers to help improve outcomes for AAC users. Lingraphica’s mission is to provide “lifelong guidance and simple technology for people with speech and language challenges — and for those who support them on their journeys.” Get some face time with Jen at MontCOMM!
Ed Worrell of OverHere Consulting brings something entirely different to MontCOMM ’26: communication devices for people with dual impairment – both vision and hearing challenges. OverHere Consulting is based in Great Falls, MT, and specializes in products and training for individuals who are blind or low vision. Ed and co-owner Becky Worrell partner with industry-leading companies such as HumanWare, LVI Low Vision International, and Freedom Scientific to bring high-quality tools to consumers across Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming.
Ed uses this technology every day and has become a recognized expert in assistive tech across Montana and nationally, making significant contributions to accessible gaming.
Accommodations
MonTECH is delighted to offer a room block at the Holiday Inn Downtown, in the heart of Missoula’s vibrant, eclectic riverside community. Plan to stay Thursday night, August 13th, and pop over to Caras Park for music and fabulous eats at Downtown Tonight (5:30-8:30 pm).
Room rate for August 12th-14th is $195 + tax. They’ll go fast, so use this booking link to get your room STAT before Missoula’s summer concert schedule is announced and the rooms go! Click on the link, click on “Group Rate,” and make sure the booking code ‘MON’ is entered. If you make your reservation by phone, the group name is “MontCOMM 2026,” booking code “MON.”
If you would like to find a lower-priced room, other nearby hotels are listed on our registration page under Frequently Asked Questions.
Financial and Nonfinancial Disclosures
Financial:
Heidi Rabe is the owner of Authentic Expression, LLC.
Paige Buckingham is the owner of Buckingham Educational Services & Training LLC (BEST) and receives a salary from Infinitec.
Rudy Via receives an honorarium as an AAC Ambassador of PRC-Saltillo.
Dr. Carole Zangari receives a salary from Nova Southeastern University and royalties from Paul H. Brookes and Attainment.
Nonfinancial:
Heide Rabe has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
Paige Buckingham has no nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
Rudy Via has no nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
Dr. Carole Zangari is the owner and author of www.PrAACticalAAC.org.
Questions about MontCOMM ’26? Contact shawna.hanson@mso.umt.edu