Erin Sheldon works to maximize opportunities for learning for students with complex needs. As the Director of Learning Design for AssistiveWare, she helps equip schools and educators to teach language, AAC, and literacy to emergent students. In her first career, Erin was a union and community organizer. Then her eldest child was born with multiple disabilities. In 2009, Erin returned to graduate school and started a second career in the AAC field. She now leverages her lived experience as a parent and organizer to bring insight, compassion, and practical knowledge to the AAC field. Erin has presented professional learning to a wide range of educators, clinicians, and families in over a dozen countries. She has authored book chapters, articles, manuals, and internet modules on AAC implementation and emergent literacy instruction. These days, Erin's biggest passion is making vocabulary instruction accessible and meaningful to all students.