Training

In partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University.

Level 7 Postgraduate Certificate in Assistive Technology.

Purpose: To enhance individual practice and extend knowledge and thinking in the field of Assistive Technology for communication and learning.

Participants: Professionals working with people with complex physical and communication disabilities

Learning: Two units completed over one or two years.

For the full award, students complete both units.

1. Assistive Technology to support communication and learning for people with physical and/or communication difficulties (30 credits)

   This unit explores the use of Assistive Technology (AT) to support communication and learning. It considers an individual’s need for AT and critically reviews some of the available hardware and software solutions, and their implementation, with consideration of such issues as access, control, recording and retrieving information.

2. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (30 credits)

   This unit explores the needs of people with complex communication difficulties and critically evaluates the available range of Assistive Technology resources and strategies, examining the issues of assessment, implementation, support and training.

   Students will create and critically evaluate a communication resource for an individual, group of individuals, or for a service.

Learning: Each course comprises:

• 4 direct teaching days at Ace Centre
• Independent study
• Written assignments
• 5000 word case study (assessed)

Dates: This training is provided on a rolling basis.  We are now accepting applications for the PGCAT commencing September 2019.

Assistive Technology to support communication and learning for people with physical and/or communication difficulties

• Day 1 – Wed 04/09/19
• Day 2 – Wed 09/10/19
• Day 3 – Wed 06/11/19
• Tutorial Day – Thurs 07/11/19
• Day 4 – Wed 04/12/19

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Unit 

• Day 1 – Thurs 30/01/20
• Day 2 – Thurs 27/02/20
• Day 3 – Thurs 26/03/20
• Tutorial Day – Fri 27/03/20
• Day 4 – Thurs 23/04/20

Cost: £2,000 per person

Applications for 2019/20 are now open.

If you would like to request an application form or require any further information, please email: training@acecentre.org.uk

If you have any other queries, please contact our staff via our free helpline 0800 080 3115

Assistive Technology (AT) Unit

Purpose: The AT Unit will provide you with an overview of Assistive Technology to support communication and learning, and considers the assessment process for identifying an individual’s AT requirements. This is delivered over four face-to-face days at Ace Centre in Oldham.

Participants: Suitable for practitioners working with individuals with complex communication and learning needs. No entry requirements needed.

Learning outcomes:

• Explain the Assistive Technology solutions to meet the needs of individuals with complex physical communication and learning disabilities
• Analyse an individual’s need for Assistive Technology and evidence the need
• Identify and select appropriate resources to meet the needs of individuals with complex needs whilst working as part of a team
• Reflect on and evaluate the implementation of Assistive Technology solutions in a given setting

Dates: 

• Day 1 – Thurs 04/09/19
• Day 2 – Thurs 09/10/19
• Day 3 – Thurs 06/11/19
• Day 4 – Thurs 04/12/19

Cost: £800

Book your place here

Where you wish to attend this type of training, but either no courses are currently scheduled or you are unable to attend on the date(s) advertised, please register your interest here.

If you have any other queries, please contact our staff via our free helpline 0800 080 3115

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Unit

Purpose: The AAC Unit explores the needs of individuals with complex communication difficulties, critically evaluating the available range of AAC resources and strategies, and examining the issues of assessment, implementation, support and training. This unit is delivered over four face-to-face days in Ace Centre in Oldham.

Participants: Suitable for practitioners working with individuals with complex communication and learning needs. No entry requirements needed.

Learning outcomes:

• 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
• Identify an individual who may benefit from AAC and describe their requirements of a communication system
• Critically evaluate a communication resource and the way it has been implemented
• Analyse and measure the current and potential impact of using an AAC system

Dates:

• Day 1 – Thurs 30/01/20
• Day 2 – Thurs 27/02/20
• Day 3 – Thurs 26/03/20
• Day 4 – Thurs 23/04/20

Cost: £800

Book your place here

Where you wish to attend this type of training, but either no courses are currently scheduled or you are unable to attend on the date(s) advertised, please register your interest here.

If you have any other queries, please contact our staff via our free helpline 0800 080 3115

Create and Make ‘Look2Talk’

A one day course introducing Look2Talk guidance and supporting you to create a colour-encoded eye pointing communication book. This session will include guidance about who Look2Talk is suitable for and how to introduce encoding to access the vocabulary by eye pointing. You will be supported during the afternoon session to utilise the templates in Boardmaker V 6 or Boardmakeronline to edit, print and create the book.

Bring your own laptop to use on the day.

Purpose: To determine who a Look2Talk book would be suitable for, how to create and make the resource and how to begin to implement it.

Participants: Practitioners working with people who use AAC who are responsible for developing communication resources and enabling use of AAC across different environments

Learning:

At the end of the session you will be able to:

1. To identify who Look2Talk would be suitable for and why
2. To teach encoded eye pointing as an access method for communication
3. To manipulate Look2Talk templates in Boardmaker software to create a communication book

And you will take away:

• Look2Talk templates for an individual you have identified
• Sample pages printed
• Sample activities to implement the strategy
• Your own copy of ‘Look2Talk’.

FREE copy of Look2Talk included!

Venue: Ace Centre

Date: TBC

Introductory cost: £180

Where you wish to attend this type of training, but either no courses are currently scheduled or you are unable to attend on the date(s) advertised, please register your interest here.

Implementing the Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC

This course involves two half day sessions providing you with an opportunity to learn about the Pragmatics Profile for people who use AAC. These sessions will support you to utilise this tool,  identify priority communication targets and a plan to implement them.

Purpose: To determine when to use the Pragmatics Profile and how to use the information gathered to inform communication development using AAC

Participants: Practitioners working with people who use AAC who are responsible for identifying AAC requirements and enabling use of AAC across different environments

Learning:

At the end of the course you will be able to:

1. Describe a person’s functional communication skills
2. Use the Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC to identify communication targets
3. Plan targeted activities to enable communication development and measure progress

Venue: Ace Centre

Dates: TBC

Where you wish to attend this type of training, but either no courses are currently scheduled or you are unable to attend on the date(s) advertised, please register your interest here.

Create and Make ‘Developing and Using a Communication Book’ (DUCB)

A one day course enabling you to start creating a communication book using Ace Centre’s, ‘Developing and using a communication book’ templates.  The morning session will consider who might benefit from a communication book with core and fringe vocabulary, and consider the different levels and amounts of vocabulary to be included.  You will be supported during the afternoon session to utilise the free templates in Boardmaker Software or In Print 3 to edit, print and create the book.

Bring your own laptop to use on the day.

Purpose:  To develop confidence in identifying vocabulary for a communication book and being able to create and make the resource.

Participants:  Practitioners working with people who use AAC who are responsible for developing communication resources and enabling use of AAC across different environments.

Learning:
At the end of the session you will be able to:

1. Describe the vocabulary organisation of DUCB
2. State which level of DUCB would be suitable for an individual and why
3. Manipulate DUCB templates in chosen communication software to create a communication book

FREE copy of Developing and Using a Communication Book included!

Venue:

Date:  TBC

Introductory cost: £180

Where you wish to attend this type of training, but either no courses are currently scheduled or you are unable to attend on the date(s) advertised, please register your interest here.

Ace Centre currently has no Makaton workshops scheduled.  Subject to demand, however, we would be happy to provide all/any of the following workshops:

1. Taster Session
2. Beginners’ Workshop for parents and carers
3. Follow-Up Workshop for parents and carers
4. Foundation Workshop for professionals
5. Enhancement Workshop for professionals

Details of each of the workshops are given below.  If you would like Ace Centre to provide any of these training events, please register your interest here.

1. Taster Session: If you are unsure whether Makaton training is for you, try a Makaton taster session.  These short sessions are designed for people who are interested in finding out about Makaton and deciding whether or not to attend Makaton training.  The Taster gives you a general introduction into what Makaton is and who uses it, with the opportunity to learn a few signs and symbols too.”
   Info taken from the Makaton Website. See www.makaton.org for more info.
   2.5 hour session – cost £30 per person
2. Beginners’ Workshop for parents and carers:  “The Beginners’ Workshop provides a practical introduction to the Makaton Language Programme.  Sessions include discussing commonly asked questions, hints and tips for effective signing and symbol use and how to start using Makaton in everyday situations at home or work.  You will also learn the signs and symbols for Stages 1-4 and Additional of the Core Vocabulary.  You will receive two workshop manuals, which include the signs and symbols that you have learned. You will also be given a certificate of attendance.”
   Info taken from the Makaton Website. See www.makaton.org for more info
   This Workshop is made up of 4 modules and is usually run as a 2 day course.
   Cost: £100 per person
3. Follow-Up Workshop for parents and carers:  “The Follow-Up Workshop helps you to improve and develop your signing and symbol skills and how to use them effectively every day.  You will revise the signs and symbols you learned during the Beginners’ Workshop and learn the signs and symbols for Stages 5-8 of the Core Vocabulary.  You will receive two workshop manuals, which include the signs and symbols that you have learned. You will also be given a certificate of attendance.”Info taken from the Makaton Website.  See www.makaton.org for more info
   This Workshop is made up of 4 modules and is usually run as a 2 day course.
   Cost: £100 per person
4. Foundation Workshop for professionals:  The Foundation Workshop provides a detailed introduction to Makaton and combines a practical approach with theory and technical information.  Lectures cover research into sign and symbol use, symbol design themes, the use and purpose of Makaton and an overview of alternative systems of communication.  You will learn the signs and symbols for Stages 1-4 and Additional of the Core Vocabulary.  You will receive four workshop manuals, Pocket Book of Signs 1 and Pocket Book of Symbols 1. You will also be given a certificate of attendance.”  Info taken from the Makaton Website. See www.makaton.org for more info.  This Workshop is made up of 4 modules and is usually run as a 2 day course.  Cost: £120 per person
5. Enhancement Workshop for professionals:  “The Enhancement Workshop concentrates on improving and developing signing and symbol skills. You will learn translation skills using signs and symbols.  Lectures examine the assessment of users’ needs, adapting communication to suit an individual’s needs and how to develop communication skills. You will revise the signs and symbols you learned on the Foundation Workshop and learn the signs and symbols for Stages 5-8 of the Core Vocabulary.  You will receive 6 workshop manuals, Pocket Book of Signs 2 and Pocket Book of Symbols 2. You will also be given a certificate of attendance.”  Info taken from the Makaton Website.  See www.makaton.org for more info
   This Workshop is made up of 6 modules and is usually run as a 3 day course.
   Cost: £180 per person

Ace Centre will be hosting a 2 day introductory workshop on PODD on Saturday 19th October and Sunday 20th October 2019 at our Abingdon Office.

Purpose: To discuss the teaching and learning strategies for implementing PODD communication systems.

Participants: Family, carers and professionals supporting individuals who use PODD communication systems.

Learning Outcomes: 

• 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.
• The importance of receptive language input and of creating a language learning environment.
• 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
• How to use PODD generic template resources to produce customised communication books.

Dates:  Saturday 19th October and Sunday 20th October 2019.  Registration will start at 8.30am on Day 1.  The workshop itself with run from 9am to 4.30pm on both days.

Cost:  £225 – this includes course, manual and certificate.  Please note that lunch will not be provided, although hot and cold drinks will be available. It is not possible to reserve places on this course without payment.

To apply for this course:

• Check availability and book your place here

Where you wish to attend this type of training, but either no courses are currently scheduled or you are unable to attend on the date(s) advertised, please register your interest here.

We hold annual Study Days in our North and South offices.

Purpose: To enhance your working knowledge of how to get the most out of AAC or AT software and hardware you already have, and to share information and learning about the latest devices and software on the market.

Participants: Family, carers and professionals supporting individuals who use AT/AAC; professionals and students new to the field of AT/AAC.

Learning: What AT/AAC software and hardware is available; building your technical knowledge to ensure you get the most out of the resources you have.

Dates: The next Study Day will be held in our South office on Tuesday 26th March, 2019.

Cost:  £50, including refreshments and buffet lunch

To apply for a Study Day:

Click here to check availability and to book your place

Where you wish to participate in this type of training but either no Study Days are currently scheduled or you are unable to attend on the date(s) advertised, register your interest here.

Purpose: Individually tailored training for your work place or other environments. Sessions can be designed for Teachers, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and other practitioners working with individuals who use AAC/AT or wanting to learn more about the subject.

Participants: Professionals and students new to the field of AAC/AT or supporting individuals who use AAC/AT.

Learning: Training is designed to meet your learning needs, for example, increase your understanding of access skill development (e.g. mouse, keyboard, switch or eye gaze) or improve your knowledge and skills with implementing AAC/AT.

Dates: On request

Cost: Half day at Ace Centre £600, full day at a venue of your choice £1000 (plus travel if away from Ace Centre)

Where training is requested off-site, Ace Centre will also charge:

• Travel at 45p per mile
• Overnight accommodation and subsistence where travel exceeds 100 miles.

Book your place here: 

Purpose: With a wide range of AAC and access devices on the market and in use, identifying strategies and options for wheelchair mounting can quickly become challenging.

This is a practical hands-on session that will help you develop your existing practical skills in identifying appropriate solutions for mounting complex configurations.

We will review mounting products available on the market, the range of devices available, commonly used wheelbase types and where to look for further resources.

We will jointly identify a number of complex case studies based on participant’s past experiences or clinical caseload. We will then have the opportunity to develop solutions for these complex configurations that will include a number of devices which could include joysticks and switches in various positions. We will also consider options for facilitating independence by identifying potential swing-away and user adjustable options.

To maximise the safety of our clients we shall also cover how decisions taken should be documented, and how risks can be appropriately identified and managed.

Participants: Suitable for practitioners and engineers working with AAC and Electronic Assistive Technology.

Learning Outcomes: 

1. To understand currently available mounting products
2. Identify sources of information
3. Develop solutions for complex configurations involving AAC and access devices.

The session will include lecture-style presentations, practical activities and group discussions.

Date: 25th September 2019

Cost: £60

Book your place here: