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About Everyone Connects Australia

Assistive Technology Australia, partnering with the Telstra Foundation, expands Everyone Connects into a national project called Everyone Connects Australia.

It was the successful result of our one year pilot project, which were delivered in metropolitan, regional and rural NSW in 2014-2015.
The pilot project demonstrated the need many young people with communication disabilities have to experiment with and learn about smart devices and specialised assistive technology for communication and for telecommunications, including use of social media.
We had overwhelmingly positive response from participants during the pilot project. Many people were inspired to build their communication skills, try new apps, accessories and options to access devices, to use telecommunications to connect to the digital world.

Phase 2 of the project, from 2015 to 2017, Assistive Technology Australia delivered detailed planned programs in various formats as follows:

1. Host Consumer Mini-Expo:
   Deliver consumer workshops and host mini-expos around Australia.
   
   
2. Provide Individual Consultation:
   ECA Team travel around Australia and offer FREE individual sessions for equipment trial to consumers.
   
   
3. Run In-Depth Training Program:
   Deliver in-depth trainings for people with complex communication needs, for allied health professionals, teachers, other professionals, family members and carers working or living with people with complex communication needs.
   
   
4. Train the Trainer:
   Develop the “Train the Trainer” program aimed at mentoring and training other consultants to deliver the Everyone Connects consumer workshops.

Project Everyone Connects Australia was successfully completed at the end of 2017. With funding finished and no new funding granted, Assistive Technology Australia cannot afford running the Workshops, Mini-Expo and programmes that are specifically focused on people with complex communication issues and needs. However the Client Services Team at AT Australia can assist people with communication needs about available options through the general Infoline for services like:

• Provide free individual consultations
• Reply to Infoline queries

About the Project - published on Telstra News in May 2015

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Past Programs Dates and Locations

Consumer Mini-Expos are designed for people with Complex Communication Needs (CCN) and their families. The cost is FREE for people with CCN and one family member/ unpaid carer. Professionals (therapists, teachers, paid carers, nurses etc.) are welcome to attend at a cost of $35pp.

Individual sessions of equipment trial are provided Free to ECA (Everyone Connects) clients. Check local flyer for the list of equipment available for trial.

In-Depth Training is designed for therapists, paid carers, teachers and other professionals working with people with CCN. Cost is $185 pp and includes free entry to the local Consumer Mini-Expo.

Public could register online to attend one of the Programs (Expos, Individual Consultation)

2017 Dates and Locations

Consumer Mini-Expos
Wanneroo: 6 Feb (12:30-3:30pm) | download flyer
Mandurah: 16 Feb (12:30-3:30pm) | flyer
Wagga Wagga: 6 March (10am-2pm) | flyer
Coffs Harbour: 20 March (10am-2pm) | flyer
Canberra: 1 May (10am-2pm) | flyer
Darwin: 5 June (10am-2pm) | flyer
Bendigo: 8 June (10am-2pm) | flyer
Cairns: 19 June (10am-2pm) | flyer
Blacktown: 26 June (10am-2pm) | flyer
Hobart: 22 Aug (10am-12noon, 1-3pm) | flyer
Gilles Plains, SA: 4 Sep (10am-2pm) | flyer
Geelong, Vic 27 Oct (10am-2pm) | flyer

Individual Consultation and Equipment Trial
Wagga Wagga: 7 March (10am-3pm) | download flyer
Coffs Harbour: 21 March (10am-3pm) | flyer
Canberra: 2 May (10am-3pm) | flyer
Darwin: 6 June (10am-3pm) | flyer
Cairns: 20 June (10am-3pm) | flyer

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In-Depth Training Programs

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Hobart, TAS: 23 August 2017 (9:30am - 4:30pm)
|_ download flyer


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Past Programs (in 2016)
Blacktown: 26 April | download flyer
Orange: 15 August | flyer
Brisbane: 12 September | flyer
Ryde: 18 October | flyer
Canberra: 7 November| flyer
Newcastle: 21 November | flyer
Darwin: 5 December | flyer

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IMPACT!

Impact of Everyone Connects Australia

AT Aust was the first organisation to deliver training on communication on such a large scale and with a large volume of impartial resources. Participants appreciated the input and time the team spent with them. Again, it was the first time people with disabilities could access this high level of expert support and advice for free. Moreover, people with complex communication needs all around Australia, even in rural and regional towns, could access AT Australia's wide range of equipment all at onec at a venue near them.

Locations of Impact

States, suburbs and towns that ECA Team has covered through the project:
NSW: Blacktown, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, Orange, Ryde, Wollongong
ACT: Canberra
NT: Darwin, Katherine
QLD: Brisbane, Cairns
SA: Gilles Plains
TAS: Burnie, Hobart, Launceston
VIC: Melbourne, Braybrook, Frankston, Geelong, South Morang
WA: Perth, Bunbury, Mandurah, Northam, Wanneroo

Quotes from ECA Programme Participants:

I was surprised how much content we were able to cover in one day!

I was impressed at the way it was set up and the number of different ideas that were presented.

I really enjoyed the range of devices, mounting, alternative access and apps that were available to just play with. I really like that there was a little video at each station and the two facilitators were very knowledgeable and were able to answer and discuss all of my questions.

This mini expo was my first insight into communication apps suited for my son. It was extremely helpful viewing these apps.

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Scope of Everyone Connects - How do we Help?

Everyone Connects helps with:

• Information and advice on communication and telecommunications devices
• Mobile technologies and speech generating devices on display
• Accessories and a range of alternative access equipment on display
• Advisory appointments, to help consider what will work for you
• Workshops and educational modules
• Assistive technology guides
• Information to assist with digital literacy and cyber- safety

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Resources for Downloads

Everyone Connects Assistive Technology Guide:

• AT Guide - Communications and Telecommunications - Choosing your device

Everyone Connects Educational Modules:

1. Introduction to communication for people with complex communication needs
2. Introduction to telecommunications for people with complex communication needs
3. Access methods to telecommunications devices
4. Factors to consider when choosing apps/software and telecommunications devices
5. Digital literacy and cyber safety Part I
6. Cyber safety Part II
7. AAC User Experiences – Georgia Cranko
8. AAC User Experiences – Fiona Given

AT Tutorials:

1. iOS Siri
2. iOS VoiceOver
3. iOS Zoom & Magnifier
4. iOS Display Accommodations
5. iOS Speech Accessibility Feature
6. iOS Vision Settings
7. iOS Switch Control with External Switches
8. iOS Switch Accessible Apps
9. iOS AssistiveTouch
10. iOS Touch Accommodations
11. iOS Guided Access
12. iOS Accessibility Shortcut

Information Sheets:

1. Factors to Consider - The SETT Framework
2. Infosheet - Accessibility Features | Facilitate user’s access to touch screen devices despite physical and/or sensory difficulties (new)
3. Infosheet - Access Methods for Light Tech AAC
4. Infosheet - Aided Language Stimulation
5. Infosheet - Aided Language Stimulation Strategies
6. Infosheet - Assuming Competence | The Least Dangerous Consumption
7. Infosheet - Computer vs Tablet
8. Infosheet - Core Words | Introducing Core to Beginner Communicators
9. Infosheet - Eye-Gaze System
10. Infosheet - Iconcity of Symbols
11. Infosheet - Language Representation | Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
12. Infosheet - Mounting System
13. Infosheet - Speech Generating Devices vs. Mainstream Tablets
14. Infosheet - Switches
15. Infosheet - Telecommunications
16. Infosheet - Using the Internet Safely

@ a Glance Guides:

1. @ a Glance Guide - Communication
2. @ a Glance Guide - Mobile Technology for Communication

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Feedback and Outcomes

Positive feedback from participant:

Endless Possibilities... How the workshop influenced participants' experience with telecommunications devices

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Acknowledgement and More Info

Assistive Technology Australia would like to thank the Telstra Foundation. Their support enabled us to provide these Assistive Technology Workshops.

The project was successfully finished in late 2017. Anyone who would like to try out equipment is welcome to make an appointment at AT Australia.

For further information, contact the Client Services Team:
Phone: 02 9912 5800
Email: help@at-aust.org