• Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display (PODD). Suzanne Martin & Sara Dale (ACE Centre) give an overview of PODD. Download the presentation here (PDF)
• Splash! Cath Lysley and David Colven present on the latest release of Splash - a software package designed to give access to curriculum resources for those with special educational needs. Find more information and a demo of the software at splash-city.com. Download the presentation here (PDF) 
• Ian Bean spoke about how schools and families he has been working with are using the iPad for different curriculum needs. Download the presentation here (PDF)
• What's new? The ACE team with help of suppliers, demonstrated new equipment and resources available on the market. Download the presentation here (PDF).
• Gary Derwent (Royal Hospital for Neruodisability) spoke about the role of the Android operating system and supporting devices in AAC and Environmental Control. Download the presentation here (PDF) 
• Toby Hewson, CEO and Workshop presenter for Just Different spoke about his organisation and work. Find more information on Just Different at their website here. 
• Will Wade & Lisa Farrand (ACE Centre) discussed the merits, pitfalls, hints and tips of Accessing the iPad for individuals with physical difficulties. Download the presentation here. 

Paul Maynard (Blackpool North and Cleveleys) (Con):

I know that the Prime Minister recently visited the ACE Centre in Oxford, and I am sure that he shares my view that it does a fantastic job helping young and disabled people to communicate more effectively using technical aids. What guarantees can he give that augmentative and assistive communication aids will be made available to more young people than is currently the case, so that everyone who could benefit from them is able to do so?

The Prime Minister:

I am really grateful to my hon. Friend for raising this issue. The ACE centre, which was previously in Oxford and is now located in my constituency, has done incredible work for people with disabilities over many years. It is making the most of the extraordinary changes in technology. When I visited it recently, we looked at a whole raft of ways in which we could make sure that the NHS is making these things available to more people, and I am very committed to working with my hon. Friend and the ACE centre to make sure that that happens.

He listened to concerns about the current commissioning climate and was inspired by the people he met. As a constituency MP for our Oxfordshire office he took great pride in having ACE Centre on his patch.

“I was delighted to visit The ACE Centre in my constituency. It was great to meet so many individuals who have benefited from Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices, many of whom are now able to communicate with their friends and families for the first time. From chatting to these people and their families, I know what a real difference these devices have made to their quality of life, giving them a measure of independence they never had before.”

David Cameron

Salary: £27,849 – £36,313 (NJC scale points 33-43) f.t.e Hours negotiable (2 to 3 days per week)

The ACE Centre is a national charity offering a range of Assistive Technology (AT) and AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) services for people with physical and communication impairments and those who support them.

The ACE Centre operates from 2 regional offices, one in Greater Manchester (North) and one in Oxfordshire (South). A vacancy has arisen at the office in Oxfordshire for an Occupational Therapist to join the team and contribute to the delivery of assessments, training and advice and information services.

The role would suit an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual with experience of, or interest in working with AT and AAC and experience of working with people with a range of disabilities.

Closing date is Friday 14th June 2013

Start date is envisaged to be early September 2013

The post will require an enhanced CRB disclosure.

To enquire about this post or request an application pack please contact:

Stephen Carroll, Business Development Manager
ACE Centre, Hollinwood Business centre, Albert Street, Oldham, OL8 3QL. email scarroll@acecentre.org.uk or call 0161 358 0151

We are delighted to announce that ACE Centre has been chosen as one of eight charities for The Guardian Christmas Charity Appeal 2012.  This year's appeal focuses on charities that are helping people with disability fulfil their potential and it's a great privilege to be able to showcase the work of ACE Centre.

We are also able to offer cost efficient access to our services through Service Level Agreements.  If you would like to discuss this further or require any additional information about the ACE Centre and the services we offer, please contact Steve Carroll, Business Development Manager tel: 0161 3580151 scarroll@acecentre.org.uk

Thank you for your continued support and interest.

Anna Reeves
Manager

Nikky Steiner (SLT at Orchard Hill College) gave a very interesting presentation on the use of PECS with older students and adults. Her presentation and EFFC booklet can be found below.

• PECS With Older Students and Adults ppt
• EFFC Booklet - Effectiveness Framework for Functional Communication pdf

Moving on from PECS

Karen Bailey and Rachel Moore went through some ideas for supporting children, young people and adults in moving onto a low, light or high tech VOCA.

• Moving on from PECS (ppt 9MB)

The LAMP Approach and Case Study

Verity-Jane Hart from Liberator gave a presentation on how LAMP works followed by a case study given by Emily Williams and Danielle Aubury from Moorcroft School.

• The LAMP Approach (ppt 659KB)

What's New? Supplier Update
This was an opportunity for our exhibitors to provide a 5 minute update on anything new they had to showcase.

• What's New? Supplier Update ppt (7.24MB)

SEN and Apps
Jamie Munro from Inclusive Technology gave a presentation on switches and Apps.

• SEN and Apps pdf (632KB)
  

The Department for Education has announced a new round of scholarships for teachers and a new scholarship for SEN support.  For full details see here.

This funding will provide 50% of the course fee that you apply for. ACE Centre North are pleased to be able to offer the following programmes that meet the criteria for this funding:

• Level 5 Certificate in Professional Studies Stage 1 Inclusive Education (Assistive Technology)
• Level 6 Certificate in Professional Studies (Assistive Technology)
• Level 7 Postgraduate Certificate in SEN (Assistive Technology)

Our networking day is a great opportunity to get together with other professionals, parents and carers interested in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology (AT). The day will include key speakers in the field of AAC and AT, with a particular focus on autism. There's a burgeoning awareness of the opportunities that AAC and AT can offer individuals on the autistic spectrum. From an introduction to specific apps and communication technology, to supportive strategies, this day will look at the very latest approaches in this field. It will also include details of a new course for parents and support staff to facilitate communication using AAC for all client groups, and a 'What's New' slot aimed at bringing people up to speed with the latest technological developments, alongside an exhibition by suppliers. This Networking Day is suitable for all parents, professionals and enablers in both health and education.

The campaign is run by The Communication Trust, a coalition of over 35 leading voluntary sector organisations (including the ACE Centre), in partnership with Jean Gross, the Government's Communication Champion. It is backed by the Department for Education and supported by BT. Hello aims to make communication for all children and young people a priority in homes and schools across the UK so that they can live life to the full.

Please visit www.hello.org.uk for information on how you can help improve the communication skills of children and young people and to sign up for regular updates.

You can also follow the campaign on Twitter (http://twitter.com/Comm_nTrust) and Facebook (http://on.fb.me/9yHIIZ).

• Getting started with AAC
• Moving on from PECS
• iPads, iPods and Communication

Our day courses are packed full of information, ideas and discussion about the very latest equipment and strategies. And as a working centre we can draw on real case examples to illustrate points and generate discussion.

Click here for more information on Day Courses for 2012

NOW AVAILABLE!! You Matter is a powerful new self-delivered course that brings together parents of children with significant speech difficulties and their supporting professionals.

The two-day course lets families and professionals explore ways of empowering parents to take a central role in the development of practical and positive ways to meet a child's AAC needs. It gives families the tools and the support needed to set their own goals, solve their own difficulties and become active decision-makers in supporting their own child's communication.

It also provides an opportunity for professionals to learn from other disciplines, and gives families the platform to share practical experiences for the benefit of all involved. The course can be delivered with the minimum of preparation by qualified therapists.

All of the course materials and handouts are provided, including Powerpoint presentations, feedback forms and video resources.

• Tutor Guide, Resources Pack and CD: £60+VAT (one required per tutor)
• Participant Guide and Resources Pack: £15+VAT (one required per participant)

Postage and Packing

P&P starts at £4.00, and depends on the quantities ordered - call us for details on 01865 759800

To order

You can order by phone by credit card: call 01865 759800

We accept proforma orders from authorities and organisations - call us for details.

Order by cheque. Make cheques payable to The ACE Centre and send to:

ACE Centre
92 Windmill Road
Headington
Oxford
OX3 7DR

"Web accessibility is a complex topic", says OneVoice chair Nigel Lewis. Many website owners understand the urgent ethical and business need to ensure sites are accessible, but don't know where to start or how to interpret the different accessibility standards and schemes that exist."

"Our guide - 'The first seven steps to accessible websites' - is a response to the question: how should I start?"

The guide is presented as an online book edited by Bloor Research consultant and OneVoice member Peter Abrahams. Each of the steps described can be implemented relatively easily and all will provide real accessibility benefits.

Many of the steps are accompanied by a short video showing how they .can be implemented

Although it is primarily intended for newcomers to accessibility the steps are also intended to be of interest to more experienced practitioners who may have missed some useful steps. OneVoice is also looking for assistance in validating, improving and extending the content of the document.

The guide can be accessed online at:
http://www.onevoiceict.org/tools/tools/seven-steps

EDITOR'S NOTE: The One Voice for Accessible ICT Coalition was formed to bring likeminded organisations together to act as one voice for ICT accessibility and usability. It plans to undertake activities across three main themes:

Promotion - explaining the benefits to the economy and society of providing accessible and usable information and communication technologies, including the underlying business case;
Campaigns - to increase the awareness of ICT accessibility across all sectors; and
Professionalism - establishing a suite of academic and vocational courses in ICT accessibility for ICT and health professionals.

"Our great success is due to the ACE Centres providing us with support and training, presenting new technology, and us turning it round to benefit our children."
  - Eddy Jackson, Headteacher, Highfurlong School

We want to help your school meet and exceed its SEN requirements as efficiently as possible, so we cover everything from starting out with switches and symbols, to making the most of new technology like iPads and eye-control for communication and curriculum access.

In-school Partnership Days

We spend a day at your school working alongside your staff and pupils to provide a combination of independent assistive technology and AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) advice, training and assessment. Find out more about our In-school Partnership Days

Extensive loan library of communication aids and equipment

Avoid expensive mistakes. Our four-week equipment loans make sure that what we recommend is completely fit-for-purpose.

AAC and AT Training courses

Give your staff the confidence and skills to get the best out of assistive and communication technology, including apps for iPads and iPods, AAC software (for example Boardmaker and Clicker) and moving on from PECS. Find out more about our training.

 As charities you can be assured that we'll put your best interests first to help you achieve excellence across the fields of assistive technology and AAC.

To speak to one of our therapists, call either 0161 358 0151 (Oldham) or 01865 759 800 (Oxford) now.

We look forward to working with you!

With many thanks to Inclusive Technology for sponsoring the making of this video.