We have been collecting patient stories from across Scotland. The patient stories are vital to hear their voice when raising awareness within your organisation or with the general public. See what we have so far! You might be surprised: stories, poems etc. Vital Voices Patient Stories
We are coming up to the one year anniversary of the legislation that makes it a legal requirement that communication equipment and support to use it are provided to anyone who has lost their voice or has difficulty speaking, Part 4 Health (Tobacco,Nicotine,etc. and Care) (Scotland) Act 2016. To find out more information contact the AAC Lead in your area. Click here to find out their contact details.
We held our annual study day this year at the Carnegie Conference Centre in Dumfermline. It was a great day with loads of thoughtful presentations and workshops. Participants were also able to see various innovative resources being produced in Scotland. Check out the presentations here.
This AAC Study Day offers a great opportunity for staff, carers and families to find out about current and innovative strategies to support individuals who use AAC. With presentations and workshops on a range of topics, delivered by experts and practitioners in the field, it will be of interest to those involved in supporting both children and/or adults, in education, health, social care, voluntary and independent sectors.
The Study Day takes place at Carnegie Conference Centre, Dunfermline on 5th March from 8.45am – 3.30pm and will cost £40 – £80
The keynote presentations will address AAC – past, present and future – with discussion around a number of questions, including:
This will include a presentation from an AAC user’s perspective, sharing insights on life with AAC.
There will be two workshop sessions allowing participants to attend one from each. the topics for these will be…
As well as an excellent learning opportunity, this study day will allow participants to network with others involved with AAC and to meet with specialist AAC services in Scotland. There will be a variety of stalls with information and resources to view.
To book a place, register online at EventBrite. If you require a purchase order for NHS or Council payment, please select the “NHS/Education delegate” option and follow the instructions on the screen.
Augmentative Communication in Practice: Scotland have agreed to sponsor one person who uses augmentative and alternative communication (AAC User) from Scotland so that they will be able to attend this year’s Communication Matters National AAC Conference, to be held at the University of Leeds between Sunday 9th and Tuesday 11th September, 2018.
This is the UK’s leading annual AAC event, with a busy programme of talks, presentations, an exhibition and social events. It provides a great opportunity for AAC users to meet other people and find out more about AAC. There is also a full programme of social events. You can get more information about the conference from http://www.communicationmatters.org.uk/page/conference.
Augmentative Communication in Practice: Scotland will pay the registration fees for an AAC User living in Scotland and up to two personal assistants to attend the 2018 Communication Matters Conference. Registration fees include accommodation, meals and access to the conference. Augmentative Communication in Practice: Scotland will also pay reasonable travel expenses to get to Leeds (Standard Class return fare to Leeds for 3 adults, one using a disabled person’s railcard, or 45p/mile for car or van).
Please download and fill in this form and return it, by Monday February 20th, to:
ACiP:S, c/o CALL Scotland, Paterson’s Land, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AQ
Or email it to enquiries@acipscotland.org.uk.
Unfortunately, Augmentative Communication in Practice: Scotland can only provide one sponsorship this year, so if there is more than one suitable applicant, the winner will be decided by drawing lots.
Back in June 2017, ACIP:S hosted a technology discovery day and consultation event for adults who use AAC.
Six people came along with their family member or carers. Although the numbers were smaller than we’d expected, the people who were there were able to discover lots of new and exciting technology: communication aids, music, games, painting, computer access, and fun photos.
In the afternoon we were joined by Julie Carr and Jean Alexander from the Assisted Communications Team at the Scottish Government. This part of the day was an opportunity to share information about new developments and to get feedback and views from everyone.
Debbie Jans provided a brief update about the new Scottish legislation for AAC provision and support.
Everyone there had the chance to tell us what they thought about the AAC service they have been receiving to date. Participants were also asked for their hopes and vision for future AAC services and what they thought “support for AAC” should include.
People came from different parts of Scotland, and obviously their experiences were different. Most people were happy with the assessment process and with the funding process for their communication aid. People said that the assessment had been “exciting” because they had been given a voice for the first time. Feelings about support, including training in the use of the communication aid, were more variable and more polarised – with some people indicating that they felt they (and their family and friends) had received good support and training, while others said they’d received “zero”. Again there were different experiences relating to the process of getting a replacement communication aid.
Everybody had a chance to speak during this consultation, and everybody did speak. Julie and Jean will take this information back to their work in the Scottish Government.
Come and join us at CALL Scotland 11am-4pm on Saturday 21st April 2018.
Run by specialist staff (CALL, FAACT, KEYCOMM, SCTCI, TASSCC and others) and funded by Augmentative Communication in Practice: Scotland, this is a chance for families of children with additional support needs to try out and learn about software, hardware, and specialised communication technologies. If you are a professional you are welcome to come along with a family you work with.
The day is FREE, but please book a place in advance, and tell us the ages of the children you are bringing.
Any special arrangements your family may require? Call on 0131 651 6236 in advance of the day.
(More detailed directions to venue)
Parking is limited but you’re able drop off passengers in front of Moray House on Holyrood Road. There are the following parking spaces available:
Download the flyer for the Family Fun Day here and tell your friends!
