Many Methods, One Goal—To Communicate: This is the theme of the Third Annual International Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month in October 2009. I am writing to tell you about this exciting project to promote greater awareness of AAC methods and to invite your sponsorship.

As you are probably aware, many people who need AAC do not get the training and assistance that they need to use AAC everywhere in their daily lives. Sadly, families, friends, and teachers are often not familiar with AAC. Consequently, individuals may spend many days or years unable to communicate their needs, feelings, hopes and dreams.

Our all-volunteer AAC Awareness Task Force is working to spread the word about AAC around the globe. We will assist people who use AAC to hold events in their communities to educate others about AAC. Our activities for 2009 are these:
• sponsoring a writing contest to encourage people who use AAC to write stories, poems, and essays about all the ways they communicate (flyer attached)
• posting all entries on our website for the world to read and celebrate in October
• sharing ideas on the website for conducting AAC Awareness Month events
• supporting and publicizing activities in communities worldwide to promote understanding and effective use of AAC for communication and for literacy.

We invite you to visit our website at www.aacawareness.org, read some of the 100+ wonderful stories from last year's contest, and learn about the activities conducted around the globe in 2008. We expect this year's AAC Awareness Month to be even more successful, since we are working to provide each chapter in participating countries with funds for conducting events.

You can help by making a sponsoring donation to assist with expenses for events, including promotional t-shirts for participants who use AAC, photographs, banners, and flyers. In appreciation for your sponsorship, we will highlight your name as a contributor on our website, which is seen by people all over the globe.

• Sponsorship levels and corresponding logo sizes for inclusion on our website are as follows:
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Diamond	$5000	to	$15000	Full page sized logo
Ruby	$2000	to	$4999	1/2 page sized logo
Sapphire	$750	to	$2499	1/4 page sized logo
Emerald	$250	to	$499	1/8 page sized logo

We will also include your name in promotional materials about International AAC Awareness Month. We have attached a Sponsor Contribution Form which allows for payment by check or credit card.

No one should have to spend countless hours, days, or years without effective communication. We invite you to help.

If you want to be a sponsor the Sponsor Form is here.