ATIA 2026 graphic. The conference will take place January 29-31, 2026 in Orlando, Florida and virtually. There are pictures of on either side of the text. On the left are two people testing a piece of assistive technology. On the right is a picture of a group of four people in the Exhibit Hall.

The 2026 Prentke Lecture Recipient: Mateo Moreno

Stories from the Kid with a Talking Box: The Vital Role of AAC Users in Educating Peers about AAC and Inclusion
Friday, January 30, 2026 |  11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Ways to Watch:

Congratulations to the 2026 Prentke AAC Distinguished Lecturer, Mateo Moreno! Join Mateo and ATIA for his presentation, Stories from the Kid with a Talking Box: The Vital Role of AAC Users in Educating Peers about AAC and Inclusion, during the ATIA 2026 Conference. This presentation will also be live streamed for free as part of the ATIA 2026 Virtual Event.

Mateo will share what he has learned from visiting classrooms to talk with over 2,500 students about AAC, disability and inclusion, and what we’re missing.

Join us and celebrate Mateo’s success in Orlando or virtually!

About Mateo Moreno

Picture of Mateo Moreno. He is holding an AAC device and wearing a brightly colored shirt.Mateo Moreno is confident and eager to meet new people while spreading awareness about AAC, disability, and inclusion. He enjoys talking with families and professionals about his experiences. He presents nationally at conferences, school districts, and universities to share his AAC journey, recommendations for communication partners, his pet peeves, and what it’s like being the only AAC user in the room. He recently presented internationally at the Communication Matters conference in Leeds, England. He’s visited classrooms to present to over 2,500 students ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade to talk openly about AAC, disability, inclusion, and just plain kindness!

In addition to presenting, Mateo enjoys mentoring learners to promote communication and help build the confidence of children, adolescents, and young adults. He worked as an AAC mentor at Talking with Technology Camp and Camp ALEC, both in Empire, CO. He meets with other AAC users and families virtually and in person.

Mateo is a member of the U.S. Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. He serves on the AAC Awareness Committee and is an active participant in the organization’s Speaker Connection. He’s a PRC-Saltillo Ambassador and Mentor. Check him out on Disney+ in a short documentary entitled Camp ALEC as part of the People and Places series.

The Edwin and Esther Prentke Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Distinguished Lecture was initiated in 1997 to honor the life and work of the late Edwin and Esther Prentke.

The Prentkes dedicated their lives to developing technologies that liberate the lives of people with disabilities. The lecture is delivered by a person who uses augmentative and alternative communication (PWUAAC) to communicate. The lecture is followed by a time of interaction with the audience, allowing the audience to ask questions and interact with a PWUAAC.

Sponsored by:

PRC-Saltillo logo