Develop your knowledge and skills to identify appropriate AAC solutions. This course explores the fundamental principles of AAC assessment and is suitable for people working with children who may benefit from aided language systems.
Course aim: 
Develop your knowledge and skills to identify appropriate AAC solutions. This course explores the fundamental principles of AAC assessment and is suitable for people working with children and young adults who required aided language systems.
You will learn:
<ul>
<li>To recognise factors to consider in an AAC assessment</li>
<li>To identify assessment questions to ask</li>
<li>To consider the importance of documenting observations accurately;</li>
<li>To evaluate tools to support AAC assessment.</li>
</ul>
Suitable for: 
Practitioners responsible for identifying AAC solutions for people with complex communication needs. This course will enable you to work towards the following:
 IPAACKS competencies
Assessment
<ul>
<li>Able to carry out an informal AAC assessment with guidance and/or using an existing proforma</li>
<li>Able to contribute observations to the more complex AAC assessment</li>
<li>Able to identify when alternative accessing and mounting options may be required and seek support with this, when necessary</li>
<li>Aware when a more specialised assessment would be beneficial</li>
</ul>
Review
<ul>
<li>Able to gather information, and to observe and make judgements in relation to whether or not an AAC system continues to be appropriate and to meet the needs and abilities of the individual</li>
</ul>
Course includes: 
1 hr webinar and 4 weeks enrolment to self-directed learning materials.
Cost: £30
Time: 3.30-4.30pm (a link will be available in the course when you log in)

Runs on specific date

Our courses focus on the use of Assistive Technology to enable independence, access to education, learning and leisure activities, and communication.

Online course

Exploring Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) that supports face-to-face communication.

Communication

AAC Assessment Tools for Children

Introducing Ace Centre&#8217;s Look2Talk resource: an award-winning guide to making a communication book for children who communicate using eye pointing.
Course aim:
To introduce Ace Centre&#8217;s award winning Look2Talk resource and explore who a colour-encoded eye pointing communication book would be suitable for.  This session will provide an introduction to the materials and how you might begin to implement them with a child learning to communicate by eye pointing.
You will learn:
<ul>
<li>To identify who Look2Talk would be suitable for and why</li>
<li>How to use Look2Talk to teach encoded eye pointing as an access method for communication</li>
</ul>
Course includes:
A live webinar providing an overview of the Look2Talk materials and signposting to further guidance.
Suitable for:
Practitioners who work with people who use AAC and are responsible for developing communication resources. This webinar will enable you to work towards the following:
IPAACKS competencies:
Identifying Needs
<ul>
<li>Recognise when someone has communication support needs</li>
</ul>
Implementation
<ul>
<li>Aware of the underpinning knowledge required by the person using AAC</li>
</ul>
Special requirements:
You will be required to use one of the following web browsers: Chrome, Microsoft Edge, FireFox, Safari or Safari Mobile
Cost: Free
Time: 12pm – 1 pm (a link will be available in the course when you log in)

Course

Look2Talk

This two day introductory workshop is hosted and delivered at Ace Centre in Abingdon. The course aims to discuss the teaching and learning strategies for implementing PODD communication systems and is taught as a face to face course.
Course aim: 
This 2 day workshop will explore the teaching and learning strategies for implementing PODD communication systems.
You will learn:
<ul>
<li>The challenges faced when creating communication systems in relation to vocabulary organisation, layout, design and range of access strategies and when customising systems to meet individual requirements</li>
<li>The importance of receptive language input and of creating a language learning environment</li>
<li>The features of a PODD communication system, including vocabulary organisation, layout, design, range of access strategies, and how these can be customised to meet individual requirements</li>
<li>How to use PODD generic template resources to produce customised communication books.</li>
</ul>
Suitable for: 
Family, carers and professionals supporting individuals who use PODD communication systems.
Course includes: 
Workshop manual, 2 face to face taught days with practical activities and hands on PODD communication books
Cost: £225
&nbsp;

Abingdon Office

PODD 2 Day Introductory Workshop

This course is in two sessions: 
Part 1 &#8211; Learn about the development of the Pragmatics Profile for people who use AAC and how to administer it; 
Part 2 &#8211; Discover how to use the profile to identify appropriate vocabulary for AAC and create communication targets to support personal development.
9th March (9.30am-12.30pm): An introduction to the Profile, who it is suitable for, and how it should be implemented. Learn about the development of the Pragmatics Profile for people who use AAC, and how to administer it. Following Part 1 you are encouraged to undertake the profile.
30th March (9.30am &#8211; 12.30pm): Discover how to use the profile to identify appropriate vocabulary for AAC and create communication targets to support personal development. This session will support you to utilise the tool, identify priority communication targets and a plan to implement them.
Course aim: 
Explore the Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC and receive guidance and supervision to complete the profile and utilise information gathered to plan further interventions.
You will learn:
To describe a person’s functional communication skills 
To use the Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC to identify communication targets 
To plan targeted activities to enable communication development and measure progress.
Suitable for:
Practitioners working with people who use AAC who are responsible for identifying AAC requirements and enabling use of AAC across different environments. This course will enable you to work towards the following :
IPAACKS competencies:
Assessment 
Able to carry out an informal AAC assessment with guidance and/or using an existing proforma 
Implementation 
Able to select and format vocabulary appropriate to the person using AAC, with guidance as appropriate 
Able to independently set personalised goals and monitor change against these goals 
Review 
Aware of the need to monitor whether or not an individual’s current AAC system continues to meet their needs
Course Includes:
This is a teacher supported online course and includes 3 Months access to online learning materials and 2 live webinars.
Special requirements:
A copy of the Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC available from: https://acecentre.org.uk/resources/pragmatics-profile-people-use-aac/
You will be required to use one of the following web browsers for the live webinar: Chrome, Microsoft Edge, FireFox, Safari or Safari Mobile
Cost: £120

Implementing the Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC

Reflect on your personal interaction style and develop communication partner skills to support AAC users. You will have access to online activities to work through independently.
Course aim:
To raise your awareness of the fundamental skills required when interacting with a person who uses AAC
You will learn:
To describe typical characteristics of AAC interactions 
To identify 4 things that you can do to support an interaction with an AAC user 
To use point talking with a communication chart to interact with an AAC user
Course includes:
Free access to online learning activities.
Suitable for:
Anyone working with people who use AAC. This course will enable you to work towards the following:
IPAACKS competencies:
AAC Leadership 
Aware of how to communicate with people who use AAC 
Act as a positive role model for others in their interaction with people who use AAC 
Facilitating AAC Learning 
Able to model positive interaction in relation to communicating with someone who uses AAC
Special requirements:
Log in to Ace Centre Learning
Cost: FREE
Time: 3.30-4.30 pm (a link will be available in the course when you log in)

Becoming a Communication Partner

Introducing Ace Centre&#8217;s Look2Talk resource: an award-winning guide to making a communication book for children who communicate using eye pointing.
This live webinar will be recorded and will be available for 4 weeks following the event.
Course aim:
To introduce Ace Centre&#8217;s award winning Look2Talk resource and explore who a colour-encoded eye pointing communication book would be suitable for.  This session will provide an introduction to the materials and how you might begin to implement them with a child learning to communicate by eye pointing.
You will learn:
<ul>
<li>To name key features of  Look2Talk</li>
<li>To identify who Look2Talk would be suitable for and why</li>
<li>To recognise implications for learning to use encoded eye pointing as an access method for communication</li>
</ul>
Course includes:
A live webinar providing an overview of the Look2Talk materials and signposting to further guidance.
Suitable for:
Practitioners who work with people who use AAC and are responsible for developing communication resources. This webinar will enable you to work towards the following:
IPAACKS competencies:
Identifying Needs
<ul>
<li>Recognise when someone has communication support needs</li>
</ul>
Implementation
<ul>
<li>Aware of the underpinning knowledge required by the person using AAC</li>
</ul>
Special requirements:
You will be required to use one of the following web browsers: Chrome, Microsoft Edge, FireFox, Safari or Safari Mobile
Time: 15th December, 12pm &#8211; 1 pm (a link will be available in the course when you log in)
Cost: Free

Webinar

Exploring access and control of technology using adaptations to standard equipment.

Access

This course explores the needs of individuals with complex communication difficulties who may benefit from AAC. Participants will critically evaluate the available range of AAC resources and strategies and examine the issues of assessment, implementation, support and training.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
<ol>
<li>Recognise who can benefit from Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and understand the importance of a collaborative approach to identify the need and potential solutions</li>
<li>Identify an individual who may benefit from AAC and describe their requirements of a communication system</li>
<li>Critically evaluate a communication resource and the way it has been implemented</li>
<li>Analyse and measure the current and potential impact of using an AAC system</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
The AAC Unit combines online self-directed study and live interactive webinars. Online activities will be revealed prior to the webinars. These may be completed before or after the live event. Alternatively you may choose to work through the activities on the day of the webinar.
A question and answer session with two members of Ace Centre staff will also be available on the afternoons of the webinar dates. These will provide an opportunity for further discussion and collaboration with the course tutors and peers on the course.
Ace Centre tutors will endeavour to facilitate your self-directed learning. Please contribute to the live sessions and utilise the forum to support your learning.
Webinar Dates
18th January 2022
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li>Vocabulary selection and organisation (9.30am -11.00am)</li>
<li>Q and A (3.00-4.00pm)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
15th February 2022
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li>AAC Assessment (9.30am -11.00am)</li>
<li>Q and A (3.00-4.00pm)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
15th March 2022
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li>Teaching strategies and implementation (9.30am -11.00am)</li>
<li>Q and A (3.00-4.00pm)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
5th April 2022
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li>Target setting and review (9.30am -11.00am)</li>
<li>Q and A (3.00-4.00pm)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Cost: £800

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Unit

Reflect on your personal interaction style and develop communication partner skills to support people using aided language and symbols to communicate. You will have access to online activities to work through independently.
Course aim:
To raise your awareness of the fundamental skills required when interacting with a person who uses AAC
You will learn:
<ul>
<li>To describe typical characteristics of AAC interactions</li>
<li>To identify 4 things that you can do to support an interaction with an AAC user</li>
<li>To use point talking with a communication chart to interact with an AAC user</li>
</ul>
Course includes:
Free access to online learning activities.
Suitable for:
Anyone working with people who use AAC. This course will enable you to work towards the following:
IPAACKS competencies:
<ul>
<li>AAC Leadership</li>
<li>Aware of how to communicate with people who use AAC</li>
<li>Act as a positive role model for others in their interaction with people who use AAC</li>
<li>Facilitating AAC Learning</li>
<li>Able to model positive interaction in relation to communicating with someone who uses AAC</li>
</ul>
Special requirements:
Log in to Ace Centre Learning
Cost: FREE
&nbsp;

On-demand course

Communication Partners

Course aim:
Explore different ways to access an iPad and provide control. Discover the different accessibility features available within iOS 13 (or above) to meet a range of physical, learning and sensory needs.
This self-directed online course will demonstrate how and why different features are used and who they are suitable for. A particular focus will be on the interaction with the touch screen via touch, voice and switch control and consideration of hearing, visual and learning requirements.
You will learn:
To select accessibility options on an iPad to meet an individual’s abilities and needs 
To understand how an iPad can be set up for different types of physical access and learning needs 
To modify accessibility options to meet an identified need
Suitable for:
Practitioners who support individuals with complex physical, sensory and learning needs. This course will enable you to work towards the following:
Assistive Technology (AT) competencies:
<ul>
<li>Implementation</li>
<li>Aware of the fundamental skills required in order to use an AT solution</li>
<li>Review</li>
<li>Knowledge of how to adapt AT solutions to meet the changing needs and abilities of an individual</li>
<li>Able to make adaptations to an existing AT system as required, and where possible, to meet changing needs and abilities</li>
</ul>
Course includes:
3 Months enrolment to online learning with instructional videos, handouts and activities to enable you to learn about iOS accessibility features.
Special requirements:
You will need to have access to an iPad with iOS 13 or above
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

iOS Accessibility

Splash! is a unique Maths and Shapes software programme. It has been designed to support pupils who have difficulties with access and are unable to manipulate tools for measurement and drawing. It contains activities and worksheets that cover: number, geometry and shapes, measurement and graphs. Splash! can be controlled using a mouse and/or keyboard and has features that support pupils with low vision.
This course provides videos and guidance for support staff to learn how to use the software. Splash! is available for purchase or as a 30 day trial from <a href="http://www.splash-city.com/">http://www.splash-city.com/</a>
&nbsp;
Course aim:
Learn how to use Splash! software. Splash! is an accessible Maths software program that enables students to manipulate shape and measurement tools and record their maths activities using alternative access methods.
You will learn:
To setup a new user in Splash! with appropriate accessibility options to meet individual requirements 
To use the tools in Splash! and create number, geometry, shapes, measures and graphs activities for a student.
Suitable for:
Staff supporting pupils to access the Maths curriculum. This course will enable you to work towards the following:
Assistive Technology (AT) competencies:
Technology: Preparation, Adaptation &amp; Integration
Knowledge of how to create learning activities using appropriate software packages
Course includes:
8 Months access to online learning with instructional videos, handouts and activities to enable you to learn about the software.
Special requirements:
You will need access to Splash! software.
Cost: £30
&nbsp;