Three workshops for AAC
Posted on January 3, 2023
Our three online training opportunities
We have a range of online Grid training opportunities, which mean you can get your groundings with Grid and become equipped with the skills to open up a world of communication for an AAC user.
All of our workshops are 3 hours long, interactive and come with a certificate of attendance. Find out who each workshop is best for, what will be covered and your outcomes below.
Tune in from all around the world; we have options to suit every time zone and personal schedule.
Find a time
Getting Started with Grid
Who is this course for?
This course is perfect for anyone who wants to start using Grid 3 (Windows), our flagship AAC software for people with disabilities.
You may be a professional looking to get started with symbol and text AAC or a communication partner eager to help an AAC user get set up with Grid.
This training will cover
- Grid user stories
- Beginning with Grid: Settings, Users and Grid Explorer
- Symbol & Text AAC
- Editing basics
- Accessible Apps
- Next steps and ongoing support
Symbol-Based AAC vs Text-Based AAC?
Symbol Communication
There is a range of different types of symbols in Grid that can be customised to the end user’s preferences. When paired with words these can help build understanding and act as a visual cue to speed up communication.
We have a range of symbol communication resources available in Grid, such as Super Core and Voco Chat.
Text Communication
Grid enables literate users to have the freedom to communicate with their chosen words. Grid makes this easy with SwiftKey prediction, location-based suggestions and a chart history feature.
You can access Text Communication in Grid 3 via our Fast Talker and Alpha Core grid sets.
Workshop Outcomes
By the end of the workshop attendees will:
- Know key features and theory behind a selection of symbol and text AAC vocabularies
- Be able to make simple edits to a grid set using write, find picture, jump and other key features
- Understand the opportunities to do more through accessible apps
Eye Gaze, Switch, Pointer and Touch in Grid
Who is this course for?
Take this course if you have a basic knowledge of Grid 3 (Windows) and want to learn how AAC users can best access the software with Eye Gaze, Switch, Pointer and Touch.
Perhaps you are an SLT looking to expand your knowledge or work in a school with children who have complex communication and accessibility needs. You may also be keen to help a family member or communication partner optimise their access.
This training will cover
- Introduction
- Making the most of pointer access
- Setting up switch access
- Using eye gaze access
- Fine tuning touch access
- Starting with simple Environment Control
What do we mean by access?
Eye gaze
Technology which allows you to navigate and control your computer by tracking where you are looking. Eye gaze can be used across a range of physical abilities.
Pointer
This is when you move a pointer to active cells on your grid by click or dwell.
You can use a more typical mouse, joysticks, and motion or head trackers.
Switch
An external switch interacts with your device. This may be a simple button or a more complex device activated by facial expressions or muscle movements.
Touch
This refers to using your fingers or a stylus to activate a cell on your grid. You can combine touch with other access methods or use it independently.
Workshop Outcomes
By the end of the workshop attendees will:
- Know how to set up each of the four access methods
- Be able to consider Environment Control for motivation and independence
- Understand what sort of adaptations need to be made to grid sets for different access methods
SIMPLE AAC
Who is this course for?
This is the ideal course for complete beginners looking for strategies to help an AAC learner to communicate using Grid 3 (Windows) or Grid for iPad at home or in an educational setting.
Perhaps you are a user’s family member overwhelmed by the quantity of information online about AAC. If you’re unsure where to start – this is the place.
Whether you have just started working with AAC, you want to develop your skills, or you are looking for an easy way to explain these strategies to others, the Simple AAC Online Workshop is an opportunity to explore. The great thing about this course is that it can be applied to both paper-based and high-tech AAC.
This training will cover:
- Introduction
- Putting yourself in an AAC user’s shoes
- Show, Interesting, Months
- Pause, Language, Explore
- Add words, Always Available, Comment
- Next steps
What is SIMPLE AAC?
Each letter of Simple AAC represents a different strategy. You’ll explore each strategy as well as spending time understanding what it’s like to use alternative communication.
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Show
Lead by example. Showing AAC learners how they can use symbols to communicate is one of the best things you can do to support their learning.
Interesting
Make sure to capture and retain the AAC learner’s attention start with their interests and make learning fun.
Months and months
Remember, AAC learners need more time to think about what they want to say, give them the opportunity to respond before you prompt them again.
Pause
Remember, AAC learners need more time to think about what they want to say, give them the opportunity to respond before you prompt them again.
Language
We often see people start with teaching AAC users how to ask for things they want, but there are so many more reasons for talking!
Explore
Let users explore their device, it’s a natural response, especially for a new user.
Add Words
Support an AAC user by providing cues to help them elaborate on what they are saying.
Always Available
Having some form of AAC always available, whether high-tech or paper-based, can help users learn to communicate more quickly.
Comment
Feedback to your learner with comments rather than questions to relieve the pressure for them to form a response.
- Download and print your own Simple AAC poster, so you can quickly remind yourself of each strategy.
Workshop Outcomes
By the end of this session you will:
- Know the nine Simple AAC strategies
- Be able to successfully model on AAC
- Understand how to use the strategies in every day practice
Our software is used by people with disabilities from all over the world. We have solutions for everything from getting started with AAC to controlling your PC and the world around you.
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