Assistive Technology Australia in Blacktown | Disability service

Assistive Technology Australia

Locality: Blacktown

Phone: +61 2 9912 5800

Address: 17 Patrick St Level 4, Shop 4019 2148 Blacktown, NSW, Australia

Website: http://www.at-aust.org

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25.01.2022 Our partnership with UC is solid! We now have new requirements for the role of receptionist- a PhD and head of OT school. Thank you Associate Professor Stephen Isbel, receptionist extraordinaire.

24.01.2022 The Certificate IV Assistive Technology Mentoring goes to NZ..... Robyn CEO

22.01.2022 Update as of 31 March 2021, 3pm. The session is now from 9.30am to 10.30am. For people with Parkinson and their caregivers. Do you want to know how to make your bathroom safer? If yes, join us for a FREE session with our occupational therapist and assistive technology mentor to ideas and have a discussion. An appointment is required. Please call (02) 9912 5800 or email [email protected]

20.01.2022 We are ready again for another free pop-up clinic to assist with information and advice on assistive technology. Limited slots available on the 20th of April, so please call to book your appointment ASAP. Contact us on (02) 9912 5800 or [email protected] Andrew Chia (Deputy CEO)

14.01.2022 AAC Awareness Month. Don't forget to register for a free zoom open house. Book your place now by registering at https://zoom.us//regi/tJIudOqppjIuGtSCpXI7DjkcSLwMB2HDr_ZF

12.01.2022 Did you know that TOYOTA make more than cars? The Toyota Mobility Foundation’s competition to find a new groundbreaking mobility device has taken a number of years, and the announcement has been delayed a few months due to COVID. Australian rehabilitation engineer, Dr Lloyd Walker of the NDIA has been a judge throughout in his private capacity as Managing Director, Tech4Life. Read about Lloyd here, https://mobilityunlimited.org/people/lloydwalker... The finals of the competition will be interesting to watch and it will great to see which design has won. If interested, the announcements are being streamed, at 1am Sydney time tomorrow morning, just follow the links below. If you can’t attend, like their page to receive the news feed.

11.01.2022 Assistive Technology Australia celebrates International Day of People with Disability. We take this opportunity to ‘get to know’ our two AT Mentors, Peter Simpson and Caytlin Weir, and find out how their lived experience of disability has shaped their roles.

10.01.2022 AAC Awareness Month. Register for a free zoom open house. Book your place now by registering at https://zoom.us//regi/tJIudOqppjIuGtSCpXI7DjkcSLwMB2HDr_ZF

10.01.2022 On this International Day of People with Disability we celebrate the achievements and contributions of those living with a disability in our community. Our fri...ends at Assistive Technology Australia are working hard to ensure that barriers sometimes faced by those with a disability are reduced, and with technology advances in recent years, we are making positive steps forward. In addition to new technology that enables and empowers those living with a disability, is the Assistive Technology mentors. Peter Simpson, is a certified mentor with Assistive Technology Australia, and has been a disability advocate for over 20 years. As a mentor and someone living with a disability, he knows too well how important it is to utilise those with a disability to assist in service provision. Hear more from Peter about the great work of ATA in assisting those living with a disability in our community over on the website https://sicomms.com.au//international-day-of-people-with-/ #idpwd

09.01.2022 GSIC entries for iCREATe 2021 are being called for....

09.01.2022 You better watch out You better not cry You better not pout I'm telling you why AT Australia is coming to town

08.01.2022 By Caytlin Weir (ATM & AAC user) & Aparna Bakshi (OT) Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) generally means an alternative system for people with spe...ech difficulties to communicate. AAC can occur in many different forms as long as the recipient understands the intended message and might include, for example, gestures, single meaning symbols, communication boards and speech-generating devices (SGDs). There is no right or wrong way; you have to figure out what works best for you. It is essential to know that you can be an expert in whichever way you choose. This article describes the different AAC systems, their advantages and disadvantages, and their applications for the young to the working. Single meaning symbols refer to one symbol meaning one word or phrase. The advantage of this system is the immediate understanding of its meaning by the recipient as the symbol usually suggests the word or phrase it means. This system is generally efficient and helps to address immediate needs quickly, especially for the young. For example, if using the symbols for toilet, drink or even go away. This system is also often used at work. For example, when we send an emoji via mobile phone to describe our mood. However, the disadvantage for someone who relies solely on AAC to communicate is the limitation of words/ phrase they can have on the space available on the system/ platform they use. The arrangement and placement of the symbols also need to be carefully considered depending on the person’s ability to navigate the system. Alphabet based systems refer to the alphabet on display. The person needs to spell out every word. Alphabet based systems usually have word prediction to speed things up a little; however, it is relatively slow compared to multi-meaning symbols. One advantage of this system is that young people be able to learn the spelling of words and hence not be limited to a certain amount of words. The disadvantage is the effort and time required to string up a sentence, which can be disadvantageous during a conversation. Multi-meaning symbols (semantic compaction) refer to many symbols being used in various combinations to produce the intended language, and is usually used in conjunction with a SGD. I use Minspeak. The advantage of this system is a faster communication rate than other AAC systems; it requires the person to hit a sequence of two to three symbols (icons) to produce a word. Although this seems complicated, for a word such as banana, three hits seem pretty good compared to spelling out all six letters. It could be easier to string a sentence using this system compared to single meaning symbols or spelling. This advantage is especially useful to a person when engaging in a conversation. The disadvantage is in the learning of the sequences which could prove challenging to the young or anyone new to the system. It is common for a person to use a couple of different language systems at one time. I, for example, use both alphabetical and semantic, and it works well. One should always consider having more than one AAC system given different situational needs such as various communication partners who may not know AAC, and in case one of the AAC systems fails to deliver; for example, if the SGD run out of battery. In summary, the early implementation of AAC may aid in the development of natural speech and language in children with communication impairments/deficits. The young may use single meaning symbols which represent one word or message. Symbols are not universal across cultures, so it is essential to find symbols relevant for an individual or community. For older kids, who are more tech-savvy, they can explore using technological-based AAC systems. As working adults, Multi Meaning Symbols system may be more productive.

07.01.2022 AAC users in Canberra. We are organising a Townhall session for you. Come for an open discussion with our AAC user and Assistive Technology Mentor, Caytlin Weir. Registration is required. Please contact us on (02) 9912 5800 or email [email protected]

06.01.2022 It’s all go here in Canberra this morning at AT Australia’s Pop-up ILC at the UC Health Hub. Many thanks to the UC OT students who are assisting whilst observing Robyn CEO

06.01.2022 To finish off a great week in the ACT, ACT based AT Aust director, Nicola Cooper and I visited Hartley Life Care to present Stephanie Brown with an AT Aust board scholarship to undertake the Certificate IV in Assistive Technology Mentoring. Stephanie will be the first AT Mentor in the ACT. Very exciting.

05.01.2022 We’ll be in Canberra on Tuesday with a Pop-up ILC. We’ll have display of products to show and discuss and our database. There is no charge, it is a free service For an appointment call 99125800 or email [email protected] Details below Robyn CEO

03.01.2022 AAC Awareness Month, 26 October 2020 Zoom Open House recording Contact us 1300 452 679 (within Australia) or [email protected] if you have any questions.

02.01.2022 With Andrew Chia at Australian Health Care week. Looking forward to the session on the outcomes of the Aged Care RC and presenting with Andrew tomorrow

01.01.2022 Off and Running...... What do Rwanda, PNG, NZ and Australia have in common? They all have students undertaking the Certificate IV in Assistive Technology Mentoring - wonderful. A diverse class in multiple ways. Should be an interesting group and all will learn from each other.... 19 students logged in this morning to the first session. Robyn CEO

01.01.2022 We offer fun, warmth and meaningful time while volunteering with us. COVID-19 safe practices on-site apply. Contact our office at 02 9912 5800 or email [email protected] if you are interested.

01.01.2022 Wonderful session organised by Elizabeth Ainsworth on home modification. Click below link for more information. https://www.facebook.com//1407/permalink/1894627740677880/