communication matters - call scotland · communication matters communication matters (cm) is a uk...
TRANSCRIPT
Damian Gentleman at Communication Matters 2009 Photo courtesy of Damian Gentleman and Communication Matters
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Communication Matters
Communication Matters (CM) is a UK national charitable organisation of members concerned with the needs of people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). It is also known as ISAAC (UK) - the UK Chapter of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC).
This year's annual Communication Matters Conference took place at Leicester University from the 20th to the 22nd of September. There were talks by AAC users such as Melinda Smith from Australia, who spoke about her journey to becoming a community worker, artist, poet and dancer, and led a workshop for AAC Users called 'Catch the Dream' . There were other workshops too, and an exhibition of new AAC equipment by suppliers. Alexis Egerton, an AAC user from the UK who presented his research on AAC funding at the event, said "CM was a very stimulating experience and assisted me with data collection for my PHD."
There was also a disco on the Monday night with a live band and fancy dress contest. See the 'Spotlight' section to read about Barry Smith's time at CM and how he organised funding to take part in the event.
P120t"OQU02GO AssistiveWare. It is a downloadable "App" from iTunes which runs on an iPod touch or iPhone.
This "App" has natural sounding text to speech voices as well as
up to date symbols called SymbolStix@, and some new design features which make programming easy to do. The iPod/iTouch needs an additional speaker to give the Proloquo2Go app adequate volume. We have found that the iMainGo portable speaker case gives it a very clear voice output in any situation. It has a keyboard but not prediction or text processing facilities. Pretty good fine motor skills are needed. It is not switch accessible.
TH6 P120XTA(;K612 Logan Technologies
The ProxTalker is clever but simple - a sort of talking PECS system. This easy-to-use device may be key to bridging the gap between low and high tech communication aids.
t>YNAVOX XP126SS DynaVox
Small enough for pocket or hands, but this is a powerful complex device with the familiar (but modernised) DynaVox software/vocabulary look and full Wifi connectivity. It has built-in synthetic voices and a 5-inch touch screen. Offers one-switch scanning access. It weighs about 700g - about twice the weight of a standard hand held - but is still pretty portable. The built-in amp and speakers give high volume and excellent quality speech.
F126NCHAY a(;PHA66T 80A12t> Logan Technologies
The low tech Frenchay Alphabet Board (FAB) is a simple alphabet board with a keyguard that may help accurate finger indication. It is washable and infection-proof.
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AT [email protected] TO Tef-,f-, US!
There are lots of websites with free switch accessible games. We tried some out ...
http://www.helpkidzlearn.com/games/ kurling.html#
2
This game is simple, but seriously good fun! It's for two players, but can be played alone by just taking all the turns. Hit your mouse button, keyboard spacebar or switch to choose your angle, and then again to choose the force to fire your stone forward. We could play this for hours ...
http://papunet.net!games/ _tarkkuuspel it! porkkana I ?lang=en
This is a similar game, but only requires one switch press. When the arrow is lined up correctly, the player hits their switch, mouse button or keyboard spacebar to throw a carrot at the rabbit, who tries to catch it. You get 20 carrots so the game can last quite a while!
SOMe SITes kJlTI-I SkJlTCI-I ACCeSS/S[;e G-A.A1es: http:// papunet.net/ games/ http://www.helpkidzlearn.com http://www.oneswitch.org
:rs��C ON FACE600K http://tinyurl.com/aac-facebook AAC awareness on Facebook! You can view what's there without being a member.
��C USET2S ON F�CE600K http://tinyurl.com/aacusers AAC user group - you must join this group to view what's there.
:rNTET2ACTIVE ��C WE6SITE http://www.alltogetherwecan.com AAC news, useful blogs and downloadable resources - check it out!
COMMUNICATION MATTET2S ��C FOT2UM http://www.communicationmatters.org.uk Follow the site's link to the forum for all your questions and answers, news and views.
Barry has been a Lightwriter user for over 12 years. Last year, he was accepted to make a presentation at the Communication Matters (CM) Conference and needed funding to attend. He did attend, presenting with the SL35, and whilst there, saw the new SL40, which he was provided with by his assessment service earlier this year.
Barry wished to present at CM again this year and approached John Hicks from Toby Churchill Ltd, who agreed to sponsor Barry and his Support Worker. When we asked Barry why he had wanted to present he told us: "I wanted to present a talk at Communication Matters
Barry Smith, who presented at Communication Matters 2009
to inform people about AAC devices and people who use them. " Barry also said "I felt great for doing it and it helped my communication skills. "
Barry had a great time at the event and his next goal is to attend ISAAC in Barcelona in 2010 .
.JUl,16 AND .JUl,IA
WHO IS IN IT? Meryl Streep and Amy Adams
WHAT IS IT ABOUT? Julie Powell (Amy Adams) is stuck in a depressing civil service job in New York. She decides to cook every recipe in Mastering the Art of French Cooking by the first American 'celebrity chef', Julia Child (Meryl Streep). She then writes about the experience on her blog. It is a true story.
:rS IT ANY GOOD? Meryl Streep is great as Julia Child, and the film is funny and heartwarming. It is definitely one to watch if you love food 1
WE T2ATE IT: 4 out of 5 stars
Have you been to the cinema? Send us your film review for our competition. It should be 50 words or less, telling us what the film was about, what you liked/ didn't like, and have a rating out of 5. T he winning entry will get a prize and be published in Issue 3 of ContAACt (Spring 2010)1 enquiries@acipscotland. org. uk
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T hings to do in Edinburgh at Ocean Terminal!
Ocean Terminal is a spacious and convenient indoor shopping mall in Leith, Edinburgh. It's a good place for Christmas shopping.
Shops: 1 Dam to 8pm Mon-Fri 1Dam-7pm Sat 11 am-6pm Sun
Barsl Restaurantsl Cinema until midnight.
Accessibility: *Disabled car park spaces on
park (western end)
� Level 3 in the red car
(r;;;;." *Disabled toilets � *Wheelchairlscooter hire.
Find out all about it here http://www.oceanterminal.com/home.asp
*Free parking *Fully accessible *Lovely views over the water from the cafe/bar area *Good shopping, including:
BHS, Debenhams, Waterstones, HMV, New Look, Au Naturale, Boots, Vision Express, MfrS food and more.
*Cinema - 12 screen Vue Multiplex. Accessible BUT NO disabled toilets within the cinema.
*Restaurants - various cafes, and restaurants, all accessible. Baxters Cafe gets a good press. T he big Ocean Cafe area is nice and spacious. Potters has disabled toilets.
*Tourist Attraction Royal Yacht Britannia - you can visit the Queen's beautiful boat with audio guide, OK for wheelchairs. Free admission for carers.
*Beauty and Hairdressing Clarins Spa (inside Debenhams) Pure Day Spa Charlie Miller Hairdresser.
I _ I -Farmer's Market - 2nd and 4th Friday each month. Food and crafts outside the terminal building.
1ST - 31ST OCT08E12 200q :I:SaaC :I:NTEI2NATIONAl" aac aWAI2ENESS MONTH
The 3rd ISAAC International AAC Awareness Month's title is 'Many Methods, One Goal: To Communicate' Find out about what's been happening to celebrate AAC awareness around the world and tell people what you've been dOing. Check out the website http:/ / www.aacawareness.org to read stories and watch videos made by AAC Users.
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1ST - 312D t:>ECEM8EI2 200Q COMMUNICATION MATTEI2S f20ADSHOWS COmmUniCATiOn
mRTTERS CM Road Shows are FREE one day events which take place in three different venues. Communication aid suppliers will exhibit and demo their products on 1 st December, Edinburgh, 2nd December, Aberdeen, 3rd December, Glasgow. Do you know someone who would like to come along and learn all about the latest communication aids and low-tech equipment? Book a free place here: http://www.communicationmatters.org.uk
.JANUAI2Y 2010 - CHATTE1280X t:>AY AT MOTHEI2WEl"l" COl"l"EGE
Held at Motherwell College twice a year, this is a fun day for AAC Users to take part in group activities and get the chance to meet up and make new friends! T he last day in May 2009 had the theme of 'holidays' and there was the chance to win prizes and try food from other countries. Having recently moved to a new campus, the date is yet to be confirmed for the next session. If you'd like to know more email Morveen at [email protected] or contact us at [email protected]
13TH MAI2CH 2010 TECHNOt,OGY t:>ISc.oVEI2Y bAY FOI2 aDUl" TS THAT USE aac
Organised by Augmentative Communication in Practice: Scotland and held in Edinburgh at the CALL Scotland base in Holyrood Road (Moray House). Drop in/stay all day event where you can learn about and try out a variety of computer hardware, software and communication aids. It should be both informative and a good fun get-together! Refreshments and lunch will be provided. Please note that this is a Saturday - start thinking now about how you will get to Edinburgh and who you want to bring with you!
24TH - 2QTH .JUl"Y 2010 :I:NTEI2NATIONAl" aac CONFEI2ENCE
The International Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) conference is a huge event which is held every two years. In July 2010 it will be in Barcelona, northern Spain. It is a very exciting opportunity to meet people from all over the world. Help is provided to find suitable accommodation and transport during the conference. Barcelona is a great place and there should be cheap flights available from Scotland, so why not think about going? If you want to give a presentation (talk or poster), please note that the deadline for sending in your proposal (a short abstract) is 1st December 2009. See http://www. isaac201 O.org for details.
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AAC Resource, Ayrshire Central Hospital, Kilwinning Road, Irvine, Ayrshire, KA 12 8SS
ISAAC BARCELONA
2010 Worids
Tel: 01294 323528 Email: [email protected] r-----------....I.., 1----------------------------..... [email protected] CALL Scotland, Paterson's Land, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8AQ Tel: 0131 651 6235 Email: [email protected] Web: www.callscotland.org.uk
FACCT, Auchterderran Centre, Tower Block, Woodend Road, Cardenden, Fife, KY5 ONE Tel: 0845155 55 55 ext.44 20 00 Email: [email protected]
KEYCOMM, 1 C Pennywell Road, Edinburgh, EH4 4P H Tel: 0131 311 7130, Email:[email protected] Web: www.keycommaac.ik.org
SCTCI, WESTMARC, Southern General Hospital, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow, G51 4TF Tel: 0141 201 2619 Email : [email protected]
TASSCC, Summerhill Centre, Stronsay Drive, Aberdeen, AB15 6JA Tel: 01224 346127 Email: [email protected] Web: www.aberdeen-education.org.ukltasscc