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Academic Qualifications
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.
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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.
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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. For the academic year 2018/19, dates are:
Assistive Technology to support communication and learning for people with physical and/or communication difficulties
- Day 1 – Thurs 06/09/18
- Day 2 – Thurs 04/10/18
- Day 3 – Thurs 08/11/18
- Tutorial Day – Fri 09/11/18
- Day 4 – Thurs 06/12/18
Augmentative and Alternative Communication Unit
- Day 1 – Wed 23/01/19
- Day 2 – Wed 20/02/19
- Day 3 – Wed 20/03/19
- Tutorial Day – Thurs 21/03/19
- Day 4 – Wed 17/04/19
Cost: £2,000 per person
Applications for 2018/19 are now closed.
If you would like to express your interest for applying in 2019, please email: training@acecentre.org.uk
If you have any other queries, please contact our staff via our free helpline 0800 080 3115
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Training Units
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 06/09/18
- Day 2 – Thurs 04/10/18
- Day 3 – Thurs 08/11/18
- Day 4 – Thurs 06/12/18
Cost: £800
This course is now full. The course will run again in Autumn 2019. To keep up-to-date with training events, please sign up to our newsletter and select ‘training’.
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 – Wed 23/01/19
- Day 2 – Wed 20/02/19
- Day 3 – Wed 20/03/19
- Day 4 – Wed 17/04/19
Cost: £800
To apply for this course:
- Download the Booking form for AAC Unit
- Return your completed Booking Form, together with payment in full, to Sara Dale at Ace Centre, Albert Street, Oldham OL8 3QL or email her at sdale@acecentre.org.uk
If you have any other queries, please contact our staff via our free helpline 0800 080 3115
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Create and Make Courses
Create and Make ‘Developing and using a Communication Book’
This is 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:
- Describe the vocabulary organisation of DUCB
- State which level of DUCB would be suitable for an individual and why
- Manipulate DUCB templates in chosen communication software to create a communication book
Date: 31st October 2018
Introductory cost: £100
Venue: Ace Centre (North Office)
Dates for Ace Centre (South Office) to follow
FREE copy of Developing and Using a Communication Book included!
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:
- To identify who Look2Talk would be suitable for and why
- To teach encoded eye pointing as an access method for communication
- 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’.
Date: 20th November 2018
Introductory cost: £180
Venue: Ace Centre (North Office)
Dates for Ace Centre (South Office) to follow
FREE copy of Look2Talk included!
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:
- Describe a person’s functional communication skills
- Use the Pragmatics Profile for People who use AAC to identify communication targets
- Plan targeted activities to enable communication development and measure progress
Dates:
Part 1 – 29th January 2019
Part 2 – 5th March 2019
Introductory price: £70
Venue: Ace Centre (North Office)
Dates for Ace Centre (South Office) to follow
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Boardmaker Online
This half day session will provide an introduction to Boardmaker software, exploring ready-made resources and templates and ways to share resources quickly and easily with colleagues and clients.
Bring your own laptop to use on the day and leave with an extended trial login for FREE!!
Purpose: To develop confidence in using Boardmaker Software and discover new resources and ways to use Boardmaker Online.
Participants: Practitioners working with people who benefit from using aided language and symbols to support their understanding and expression.
Learning:
At the end of the session you will be able to:
- Create resources for printing and to use interactively on iPads and Laptop
- Identify new symbols designed specifically for the UK
- Use templates and ready-made resources to save time
- Share resources quickly and easily with colleagues and clients.
Registration from 12:30pm, workshop runs from 1pm to 4pm.
Date: 29th January 2019
Cost: FREE
Venue: Ace Centre (South Office)
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Makaton
Makaton Follow-Up Workshop:
Ace Centre will be hosting a 2 day follow-up Makaton workshop on Thursday 11th and Friday 12th October 2018 in our Abingdon Office
Purpose: To build attendees’ confidence and expand their sign and symbol knowledge by:
- teaching the signs and symbols from stages 5 – 8 of the core vocabulary, and
- revising signs from the earlier stages.
Participants: Family, carers and professionals supporting individuals who use Makaton communication systems.
Dates: Thursday 11th and Friday 12th October 2018. Registration will start at 9am on Day 1. The workshop itself with run from 9.30am to 4pm on both days.
Cost: £110 – this includes course, two workshop manuals, attendance certificate and buffet lunch.
To apply for this course:
Makaton Beginner’s Workshop:
Ace Centre will be hosting a 2 day Makaton beginner’s workshop on Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th November 2018 in our Oldham Office
Purpose: To provide attendees with an introduction to the Makaton Language Programme by teaching the signs and symbols for stages 1 – 4 of the core vocabulary through fun, practical activities. Sessions include:
- hints and tips for effective signing and symbol use
- how to start using Makaton in everyday situations at home or work.
Participants: Family, carers and professionals supporting individuals who use Makaton communication systems.
Dates: Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th November 2018. Registration will start at 9am on Day 1. The workshop itself with run from 9.30am to 4pm on both days.
Cost: £110 – this includes course, two workshop manuals, attendance certificate and buffet lunch.
To apply for this course:
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Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display (PODD)
Ace Centre will be hosting a 2 day introductory workshop on PODD on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th November 2018 in 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:
- 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 3rd and Sunday 4th November 2018. 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:
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Network Day
We hold annual Network 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 Network Day will be held in our North office on Thursday 20th September 2018. Click here to check availability and to book your place.
Cost: £5o, including refreshments and buffet lunch
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Bespoke Training
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.
For further details email training@acecentre.org.uk or fill in our training request form and we’ll get back to you promptly.
We provide a range of training opportunities for:
- Professionals
- Individuals with complex communication and learning needs
- Carers, parents and families of people with communication needs