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 KiwiChat Camp

The KiwiChat Camp is a residential camp for school aged children using speech generating devices and their families and carers. The primary aim of the camp is for the children using the devices to improve their device use and become much more competent communicators in a fun and relaxing atmosphere.

 

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KiwiChat Camp would like to acknowledge and thank our sponsors:

CP Society
Wilson Home Trust
Quadprint - Colorpress Limited
Spectronics
TalkLink Trust

What?

Intensive communication therapy will be provided each morning, and the afternoon will involve activities and opportunities for everyone to practice the skills they have learnt in the morning.

A separate sibling recreation program will be conducted in the mornings, and this time will also provide an opportunity for parents/carers to discuss and work on issues around augmentative and alternative communication.

The camp will also be offering mentoring from experienced adult communication device users, training on programming the device and much more!

When?

The camp will run from Wednesday 24 February to Sunday 28 February 2010

Who?

The KiwiChat Camp is open to children who:

  • are of school age;
  • independently use a speech generating device such as a Dynavox V or Vmax, Dynavox DV4, Lightwriter, Tango, Springboard etc;
  • have at least one family member/carer will be attending the camp with them;
  • want to improve their use of their device and general communication competency.

Where?

The camp will be held at Totara Springs Camp www.totarasprings.org.nz

Totara Springs is located in Matamata, Waikato, a comfortable 2 hour drive from central Auckland.

How much?

The camp is $300.00 per family.

Arrangement can also be made for additional people, eg teacher aides to attend. Please contact us to discuss this.

For a camp application package or if you have questions please contact:

Leesa Ross at TalkLink

Ph: (09) 815 3232 (ext 816)

Email: Leesa.Ross@talklink.org.nz

Applications close 19 October 2009

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Professional Development Event

 

2010 is a non-conference year, however ATANZ will be holding a Professional Development Event:  Balanced Literacy Instruction for Students with Complex Communication Needs.

 

Professors Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver. Karen and David are world leaders in literacy development for children with complex communication needs. Further information on this event can be found here

 

ATANZ Conference

The ATANZ Biennial Conference is a major source of education and networking in New Zealand for people involved in assistive technology. The conference aims to meet the needs of people wishing to:

  • Share information and exchange ideas
  • Learn about new developments and research
  • Be informed about assistive technology resources and products

The 2009 Conference Focus on Function was held in Christchurch from the 7 to 9 July. The keynote speaker was, Dr Sarah Blackstone,  world renowned for her research into social networks for children and adults who use assistive technology. She is currently a collaborative partner in the AAC-RERC research programme (www.aac-rerc.org) and publishes the widely distributed Augmentative Communication News.

Dr. Blackstone's keynote addresses focused on working with children to develop pragmatic language skills using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and providing AAC for adults with acquired communication disorders. A workshop focused on the development of social networks for people using AAC was also presented. A further 30 presenters delivered workshops and presentations based on technology developments, new service practices and experiences of people using assistive technology.

The next Conference will be in Auckland in 2011. Watch this space for updates.