Training

ACE Centre training

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

Further information

  • 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.

    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.  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

    To apply for this course:

    • Download L7 PGCAT Application Form 2018
    • Return your completed Application 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

  • Introductory Training Sessions

    Purpose: to support the development, implementation and use of Augmentative & Alternative Communication within the framework of the NHS Specialised AAC Service.

    Participants: Practitioners within the North West and Wessex & Thames Valley Specialised AAC Service regions who:

    • Work with individuals who have been/may be referred to the Service

    and/or

    • Are involved in the set up and/or development of a local AAC Service

    Learning: Various sessions are available – please see our upcoming events for dates

    Cost: Free

    • Our training and open events are hugely popular – book early to ensure a place.
    • Owing to limited capacity, a maximum of 2 places will be allocated to a single organisation (e.g. Speech and Language Therapy Department, school etc.)
  • Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display (PODD)

    Ace Centre will be hosting a 2 day introductory workshop on PODD in the Autumn in our Abingdon Office.

    Register your interest in future PODD events here.

    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:  We will be hosting a course in the Autumn in our Abingdon office. Please note we do not have confirmed dates for this yet but do register your interest.

    Cost:  £225 – this includes course, manual and certificate.  Please note that lunch will not be provided, although hot and cold drinks will be available.

    To apply for this course:

  • 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

    To apply for this course:

    • Download the Booking form for AT 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

    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

  • 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.

  • 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: Check our training calendar for what’s coming up.

    Cost:  £85 for professionals/£25 for parents, carers, people who use AAC