Kate Ahern, M.S.Ed. Educational Specialist/ ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST Certified teacher of learners with complex disabilities focusing on children and adults who use multi-modal communication including Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Kate Ahern Kate is a renowned special education teacher, consultant, and author with over two decades of experience. She specializes in helping children with complex communication needs, mental health challenges (anxiety, trauma), sensory processing issues, and high need or multiple disabilities.
Among her accomplishments, Kate has developed and facilitated comprehensive workshops on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), promoting inclusive communication practices and ensuring that individuals with disabilities have access to supportive tools. Her extensive knowledge and practical guidance have played a significant role in educating professionals and advocating for the rights of those with communication challenges. She has presented at local, state, regional, national and international conferences and programs. Kate holds a Master of Science in Special Education from Simmons College and has completed advanced training/professional development programs in various sub-specialties including AAC (including Advanced PODD training), abuse prevention and sexuality education for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, trauma informed education and the Science of Reading. She has special interests in AAC for children and adults with Rett Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome, Autism and other complex needs. She also is dedicated to inclusion, ending seclusion and restraint in schools and disability service agencies, abuse prevention, and especially disability justice. Kate is the recipient of the Federation for Children with Special Needs Teacher of the Year Aware (2014), The Fighting Angels Award (2016) and the knAAC Open AAC Lifetime Achievement Award in AAC (2024). 
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Maggie Wurm Assistive Technology specialist Supporting individuals of all ages and abilities, including those in need of general AT solutions and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Maggie Wurm began in early intervention, inspired by her daughter, and naturally evolved into her current field. Over the past two decades, she has dedicated herself to supporting exceptional learners through assistive technology, with a special focus on communication and inclusive practices.
Maggie is an experienced Assistive Technology (AT) Specialist, bilingual in English and Spanish, providing support in schools, residential group homes, and private homes for individuals with communication needs. She completed the AT program at California State University, Northridge, holds Advanced PODD certification, and has trained with Gayle Porter on Alternative Access and Teaching Movement for Communication. Maggie currently works as an AT/AAC Specialist for NEAT in Hartford and continues to do as private consultation. She has created and led in-person AAC groups and adaptive cooking classes and conducts smart home technology assessments to integrate communication devices into daily life. Maggie is also a presenter at national conferences like ATIA, Closing the Gap, and various educational events, sharing her expertise in AT, AAC, and family support services.She continues to stay current in the AT field by attending workshops, conferences, and training sessions to expand her knowledge and skills. With experience in family support services through the Federation for Children with Special Needs, she has a strong understanding of resources and state grant management. Maggie is a trained special education advocate and Co-President of Rett Syndrome Angels Nonprofit Organization. As a parent of a daughter with Rett Syndrome, she combines professional expertise with personal experience, offering compassionate support to every family she works with. |
Aliza Chagpar
Administrator
Coordinates scheduling, contracts and billing. Manages the mailing list and newsletter.
Aliza Chagpar has over 15 years of project management, change management and process improvement experience. Aliza is passionate about human rights and spends much of her free time advocating for families with children who are excluded for their differences instead of accepted and included. A mother to a little boy with Angelman Syndrome, Aliza works to make the caregiver experience of working with AAC Voices as smooth as possible. Note: Aliza is currently on family medical leave.
Financial and non-financial disclosures: various members of the AAC Voices team receive income from private clients, school districts and government agencies for providing educational services for AAC users, speaking fees, honorarium and expenses from speaking engagements for charities, school districts, and government agencies, and copies of apps and books in return for development recommendations from companies including AssistiveWare. We have memberships in ISAAC and USAAAC.