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Our Services
Communication Devices for Children
Our services focus on supporting children who benefit from a communication device.
Research in the field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication has led us to understand that all children who need a communication device can learn how to use it. There are no prerequisite skills needed before considering this technology for a child. The work we do at OARC is to ensure that individuals requiring a device receive their own long-term system. The vast majority of these communication devices are iPads with specialized voice-output apps on them.
OARC is focusing our resources in both acquiring communication devices for children and in supporting the team through education, training and troubleshooting.
Visit our forms page to start the process today!
Research in the field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication has led us to understand that all children who need a communication device can learn how to use it. There are no prerequisite skills needed before considering this technology for a child. The work we do at OARC is to ensure that individuals requiring a device receive their own long-term system. The vast majority of these communication devices are iPads with specialized voice-output apps on them.
OARC is focusing our resources in both acquiring communication devices for children and in supporting the team through education, training and troubleshooting.
Visit our forms page to start the process today!
Short Term Loans
OARC maintains a small library of devices and assistive technology equipment to loan out to individuals on a case-by-case basis. These devices are meant to help a team identify appropriate access to a communication device ie. switch access, eye gaze access technology. Some more basic dedicated communication devices (light/mid-tech) are borrowed to augment a robust communication system already in place. All the loans are available for a 10 week period.
Eye-Gaze systems will continue to require an initial assessment by OARC staff which may lead to a short-term 10-week trial.
We are no longer able to supply iPads for clinicians to use for workshop purposes
Contact us to speak to someone about the possibility of a short term loan. If you are new to OARC, we ask that you please complete the Client Information Form in order to borrow equipment.
Eye-Gaze systems will continue to require an initial assessment by OARC staff which may lead to a short-term 10-week trial.
We are no longer able to supply iPads for clinicians to use for workshop purposes
Contact us to speak to someone about the possibility of a short term loan. If you are new to OARC, we ask that you please complete the Client Information Form in order to borrow equipment.
Some things to keep in mind:
1. Please know that our “short term” iPads are dated and do not have all of the features ofa newer device.
2. If you do any customization within the Proloquo2Go app, a backup from an olderProloquo2Go (the short-term loan) can’t be transferred to a new one (the child’s futurelong-term system)
3. Training is provided to families and team members upon receipt of the long-term systemand is not included with short term loans.
4. Average response rate for a child to begin using AAC is 12-18 MONTHS, while our loansare only provided for a maximum of 10 weeks. We have a large number of requests, and we aren’t often able to extend the loan time.
It is beneficial to provide a loan to a child who may have had a system that is no longer working,and they are waiting for a replacement, to ensure they don’t go without their voice. The loan canalso provide the opportunity to trial some different access options or determine which apps arebest suited for a child. This can help clinicians answer questions about the best system for anindividual. In the case of a child waiting to receive a high-tech device for the first time, a loanisn’t usually necessary. Low-Tech Resources:
*If you have submitted an application and are waiting for funding for a child’s long-term system, here are some light-tech resources you can use. Download, print and laminate, and/or save to your smartphone!
Assistiveware:
https://www.assistiveware.com/learn-aac/quick-communication-boards
Tobiidynavox:
https://us.tobiidynavox.com/products/core-first-communication-books
Saltillo:
https://saltillo.com/chatcorner/content/29Benefits of Light-tech AAC
https://www.assistiveware.com/learn-aac/high-tech-or-light-tech-aac-for-any-situation
1. Please know that our “short term” iPads are dated and do not have all of the features ofa newer device.
2. If you do any customization within the Proloquo2Go app, a backup from an olderProloquo2Go (the short-term loan) can’t be transferred to a new one (the child’s futurelong-term system)
3. Training is provided to families and team members upon receipt of the long-term systemand is not included with short term loans.
4. Average response rate for a child to begin using AAC is 12-18 MONTHS, while our loansare only provided for a maximum of 10 weeks. We have a large number of requests, and we aren’t often able to extend the loan time.
It is beneficial to provide a loan to a child who may have had a system that is no longer working,and they are waiting for a replacement, to ensure they don’t go without their voice. The loan canalso provide the opportunity to trial some different access options or determine which apps arebest suited for a child. This can help clinicians answer questions about the best system for anindividual. In the case of a child waiting to receive a high-tech device for the first time, a loanisn’t usually necessary. Low-Tech Resources:
*If you have submitted an application and are waiting for funding for a child’s long-term system, here are some light-tech resources you can use. Download, print and laminate, and/or save to your smartphone!
Assistiveware:
https://www.assistiveware.com/learn-aac/quick-communication-boards
Tobiidynavox:
https://us.tobiidynavox.com/products/core-first-communication-books
Saltillo:
https://saltillo.com/chatcorner/content/29Benefits of Light-tech AAC
https://www.assistiveware.com/learn-aac/high-tech-or-light-tech-aac-for-any-situation
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Workshops
We are thrilled to offer interactive workshops designed to support a wide range of audiences to become good communication partners who presume competence, listen, ask questions, respect and accept all forms of communication.
Throughout the year you will find a series of virtual workshops available on our home page to help you to expand your skills in a variety of areas.
Throughout the year you will find a series of virtual workshops available on our home page to help you to expand your skills in a variety of areas.
You may also contact us to schedule a customized workshop for you and your team!
Workshop Fees: OARC’s rate is $150/hour. Groups are only charged for the workshop time.
Training Length: The length of trainings can be adapted to suit your needs and budget. We encourage you to contact us to discuss which workshop(s) and length of time would work best for your group.
Location: In-person or virtual workshops can be offered. We can come to your space within Winnipeg city limits. The OARC office can also be used as a meeting space for groups up to 15 people.
Who are the workshops intended for? OARC can provide education and training to a wide range of audiences from students to experienced professionals.
Workshop Fees: OARC’s rate is $150/hour. Groups are only charged for the workshop time.
Training Length: The length of trainings can be adapted to suit your needs and budget. We encourage you to contact us to discuss which workshop(s) and length of time would work best for your group.
Location: In-person or virtual workshops can be offered. We can come to your space within Winnipeg city limits. The OARC office can also be used as a meeting space for groups up to 15 people.
Who are the workshops intended for? OARC can provide education and training to a wide range of audiences from students to experienced professionals.
The Open Access Resource Centre (OARC) is dedicated to enriching the lives of Manitobans who have communication difficulties or who are non-speaking by providing access to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
The Open Access Resource Centre acknowledges we are located upon Treaty #1 and the homeland of the Red River Metis Nation. We work in partnership with children, families and communities who reside on ancestral lands and traditional territories throughout Manitoba. We thank Mother Earth for life-sustaining waters. We understand all benefit from and take responsibility for these gifts.Open Access Resource Centre is committed to continued reflection and dialogue to ensure a place where everyone’s voice is heard.
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