Our Background Together.

Sidney and Mary Anne have been a dynamic duo since 2011. They have presented at Closing the Gap two years in a row with Deanna K. Wagner, MS CCC-SLP and others. Sidney has attended ISAAC in the past. Both continue to be active participants in the AAC world and have begun creating materials for all-level device users as Traveling Talker Time. Their materials are posted on their Facebook, Instagram, and Teachers Pay Teachers accounts. Some of these activities make their way to the Out and About community group where Sidney and Mary Anne will lead the activities.

Sidney Daswick

Sidney Daswick is a 29-year-old, lifelong AAC user. Sidney is a two-switch scanner and uses Nuvoice with Unity 45 and 60. Sidney holds many titles; she is a tutor, mentor, and friend. Along with being a creator of Traveling Talker Time, she has taught lessons at schools and virtually for Day programs, and uploads activities with Jessica Aronowitz with Teach and Talk on Youtube. I love to teach people about computers (AAC).

Sidney uses a two-switch scanner with a PRC Accent device, on which she can say anything from single words to long sentences. The PRC Accent contains thousands of words and potentially limitless combinations. Through her years of experience, Sidney has essentially mastered its patterns and functionality.

Mary Anne Barno

Mary Anne Barno is a Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant and Assistive Technology Specialist. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Speech and Language Pathology at Northern Arizona University. She provides AT services with Assistive Technology for Employment and Independence (ATEI) under the Institute for Human Development at NAU. Along with Teletherapy/Home-Health speech and language services, working with children and adults. Her passion is working with Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Mary Anne has been working with AAC indirectly for years prior to becoming an SLPA and AT Specialist. Mary Anne previously worked as an SLPA and AT Specialist within a local school-district for 7 years. The smile and enjoyment she sees from adults and children when their voice is heard, gives her the strong passion and dedication to work with assistive technology.

Financial Disclosure: Mary Anne receives payment for ongoing therapy and AT trainings at Therapy One as an independent contractor. She is a salaried employee for Northern Arizona University.

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