Resources and training (CASEE)

On this page you will find a range of resources which may be useful for local teams and those using AAC. You will also find some links to websites, videos and other external resources. If you have suggestions for a useful resource or training session content, please let us know via email.

Useful links

Please note that CASEE is not responsible for the content in these external links. They are provided for information only. CASEE does not represent or endorse of any of the information, products or services contained within. These are listed in no particular order.

Charities and other

NHS England Specialist AAC and EC services across the UK, providing a wide variety of resources (opens in a new tab)

Communication Matters (UK Chapter of ISAAC) (opens in a new tab)

ISAAC (Int. Soc. for Augmentative and Alternative Com.) (opens in a new tab)

Disability Matters (opens in a new tab)

Toolkit for local AAC professionals (opens in a new tab)

NHS England (opens in a new tab)

1voice (opens in a new tab)

Makaton Vocabulary Development Project (opens in a new tab)

NASEN (National Association of Special Educational Needs) (opens in a new tab)

SpeechBubble - Information on communication aids (opens in a new tab)

Ability Net (opens in a new tab)

Dame Hannah Rogers Trust (opens in a new tab)

Condition charities

Motor Neuron Disease Association (opens in a new tab)

Headway – brain injury association (opens in a new tab)

Huntington’s Disease Association (opens in a new tab)

Multiple Sclerosis Society (opens in a new tab)

Multiple Sclerosis Trust (opens in a new tab)

Multiple System Atrophy Trust (opens in a new tab)

Muscular Dystrophy UK (opens in a new tab)

Parkinson’s UK (opens in a new tab)

Scope (opens in a new tab)

The Stroke Association (opens in a new tab)

PSP Association (opens in a new tab)

National Autistic Society (opens in a new tab)

Mencap (opens in a new tab)

The British institute of Learning Disabilities (opens in a new tab)

Genetic disorders UK (opens in a new tab)

RNIB (Royal National Institute of the Blind) (opens in a new tab)

RNID (Royal National Institute for the Deaf) (opens in a new tab)

Ataxia UK (opens in a new tab)

Dystonia Society (opens in a new tab)

Aphasia alliance (opens in a new tab)

Rett UK (opens in a new tab)

National institute of neurological disorders and stroke (opens in a new tab)

Cerebra, for children with brain conditions and their families (opens in a new tab)

Manufacturers and suppliers

Smartbox (opens in a new tab)

Liberator (opens in a new tab)

Tobii Dynavox (opens in a new tab)

Jabbla (opens in a new tab)

Therapy Box (opens in a new tab)

Abilia (opens in a new tab)

Inclusive Technology (opens in a new tab)

Mounts and more (opens in a new tab)

Smile Smart (opens in a new tab)

Widgit Health (opens in a new tab)

SpecialEffect (opens in a new tab)

Dad in a shed (opens in a new tab)

Specialist AAC service hubs

Assistive Communication Service (ACS) (opens in a new tab)

ACE Centre (North & South) (opens in a new tab)

Regional Communication Aid Service (opens in a new tab)

Barnsley Assistive Technology Service (opens in a new tab)

ACT (Access to Communication and Technology) (opens in a new tab)

Electronic Assistive Technology Service (EATS) (opens in a new tab)

Bristol Communication Aid Service (BCAS) (opens in a new tab)

Augmentative Communication Service (opens in a new tab)

Compass Assistive and Rehabilitation Technology Service (opens in a new tab)

Guy’s and St Thomas’ Assistive Communication Service (GSTT ACS) (opens in a new tab)

Chailey Communication Aid Service (CCAS) (opens in a new tab)

Kent and Medway Communication and Assistive Technology Service (KM CAT) (opens in a new tab)

Call Scotland (opens in a new tab)

National Centre for Electronic Assistive Technology (NCEAT) (opens in a new tab)

Training provision

CASEE also aims to support the establishment, training and development of local AAC services and provide regular training sessions offered free of charge to professionals supporting people who use AAC (Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Teachers, Therapy Assistants, Technical Team Members, Teaching Assistants etc.). You can view our link to our training schedule on Eventbrite. (opens in a new tab)

Courses we provide include:

Paper based AAC 1, 2 and 3
AAC in the classroom
AAC with adults with acquired conditions
Apps for AAC
Eyes for Communication
Access for SLTS
Switching for AAC
Literacy and AAC
Language Assessment for AAC

Please click on the link to find out more about each course. If you would like us to deliver a course in your local area (within the East of England) please email CASEE enquiries to discuss.

Leaflets

We have developed some information leaflets to help offer advice and guidance. Please see the links below for the leaflets currently available, and view the ones relevant to you.

Preparing for Transitions

Transition is a change in an AAC users situation. This could be a change in environment, or in the people who support an AAC user. It can be small changes, such as moving to a different class at the end of an academic year or having a new Personal Assistant (PA). Or it could be a larger change, such as moving to a new school, workplace or a new place to live.

Funding advice

This leaflet is for health care professionals supporting adults and children who might benefit from a powered communication aid to support their communication.

The leaflet aims to provide a brief overview of funding routes available to access a technology-based communication system.

Online Safety

This leaflet is aimed at professionals working with people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). It aims to outline some of the benefits and risks of internet access and to support you in the informed decision making process.

Videos

We have created some videos which should help families and patients to assemble the mounts or floorstands used to support your communication aid equipment.

The synthesized voice used within these videos is an example of one of the range of voices used on some of the communication aids provided by the CASEE team.

Assembling a mini floorstand

Link: https://youtu.be/wTV9QxNE4wo

Assembling a mini floorstand - video transcript

00:00:06:09 - 00:00:08:21

The stand may be supplied in two parts.

00:00:08:28 - 00:00:11:07

You may need to fit the pole to the base.

00:00:12:00 - 00:00:14:16

The pin on the base has to locate in the hole

00:00:14:16 - 00:00:18:26

in the bottom of the pole.

00:00:18:26 - 00:00:21:11

Start by applying the brakes on all the wheels.

00:00:23:07 - 00:00:30:03

Fit the pole onto the base,

00:00:30:03 - 00:00:36:06

making sure the pin locates in the hole.

00:00:36:06 - 00:00:38:20

Screw the collar down until it is hand tight.

00:00:45:13 - 00:00:46:23

To adjust the height,

00:00:46:23 - 00:00:50:09

undo the locking lever and slide the pole

00:00:50:09 - 00:00:55:17

up or down.

00:00:55:17 - 00:00:59:18

Undo the locking lever to adjust the mounting plate

00:00:59:18 - 00:01:12:16

to the required position.

00:01:12:16 - 00:01:17:15

Once adjusted, tighten the locking lever, slide

00:01:17:15 - 00:01:20:27

the communication aid down onto the plate until the locking pin

00:01:20:27 - 00:01:27:17

clicks into place.

00:01:27:17 - 00:01:31:27

Watch the pin click into place.

00:01:31:27 - 00:01:35:06

Check the device is secure.

00:01:39:09 - 00:01:41:11

To remove the communication aid,

00:01:41:11 - 00:01:45:05

pull the locking pin out, slide the device up and off the mount.

Setting up a Pentalock floorstand

Link: https://youtu.be/DKbfRBhb4vI

Setting up a Pentalock floorstand - video transcript

00:00:06:09 - 00:00:07:06

The pentalock

00:00:07:06 - 00:00:08:21

floorstand can easily be

00:00:08:21 - 00:00:10:26

wheeled into position.

00:00:10:26 - 00:00:13:26

Stop it from moving by

00:00:13:26 - 00:00:16:26

applying the brake levers on each wheel.

00:00:17:03 - 00:00:17:28

Adjust the height

00:00:17:28 - 00:00:20:00

by turning the release lever.

00:00:20:00 - 00:00:21:18

Keep your hand on the top

00:00:21:18 - 00:00:29:09

as the pole is sprung-loaded.

00:00:29:12 - 00:00:30:21

To adjust the arm,

00:00:30:21 - 00:00:32:06

release the joint clamp

00:00:32:06 - 00:00:39:16

and swing it into position.

00:00:39:18 - 00:00:45:22

Tighten the clamp,

00:00:45:25 - 00:00:47:07

adjust the length of the arm

00:00:47:07 - 00:00:52:17

by undoing the middle joint

00:00:52:17 - 00:00:56:25

clamp.

00:00:56:28 - 00:00:58:05

You can adjust this middle

00:00:58:05 - 00:01:01:27

joint to any angle.

00:01:02:00 - 00:01:03:01

Use the Allen key

00:01:03:01 - 00:01:04:11

to put the mounting plate

00:01:04:11 - 00:01:14:01

into the required position.

00:01:14:01 - 00:01:23:28

Then use the lever on the back

00:01:23:28 - 00:01:27:11

to adjust the angle.

00:01:27:11 - 00:01:31:05

Slide the communication aid

00:01:31:05 - 00:01:32:11

down onto the plate

00:01:32:11 - 00:01:44:09

until you hear the locking pin click.

00:01:44:12 - 00:01:46:17

Check that it is fixed firmly

00:01:46:17 - 00:01:47:25

and that the locking pin

00:01:47:25 - 00:01:55:11

has clicked into place.

00:01:55:11 - 00:02:02:19

To remove,

00:02:02:23 - 00:02:03:29

pull the locking pin out

00:02:03:29 - 00:02:06:12

and at the same time, lift the device up

00:02:06:12 - 00:02:07:08

and off the mount.

Attaching a wheelchair folding mount

Link: https://youtu.be/FZ6SdmYKxzw

Attaching a wheelchair folding mount - video transcript

00:00:06:07 - 00:00:07:04

The frame clamp

00:00:07:04 - 00:00:09:23

assembly is permanently fixed to the wheelchair.

00:00:12:26 - 00:00:14:26

The mounting arm slots into this.

00:00:15:20 - 00:00:18:09

Apply the brakes before attaching the mount.

00:00:21:07 - 00:00:23:13

Slide the mounting arm into the receiver

00:00:23:13 - 00:00:27:07

on the wheelchair,

00:00:27:07 - 00:00:31:07

Turn the blue locking nut.

00:00:31:07 - 00:00:34:11

Swing the arm up and over.

00:00:45:07 - 00:00:48:27

Slide the communication aid down onto the plate

00:00:48:27 - 00:00:50:28

until you hear the locking pin click.

00:00:52:22 - 00:00:54:28

Watch the locking pin click into place.

00:01:07:27 - 00:01:09:29

To remove the communication aid,

00:01:09:29 - 00:01:19:06

pull out the locking pin and slide off the mount.

00:01:19:13 - 00:01:26:28

To remove the mount, swing the arm up and then forwards.

00:01:26:28 - 00:01:37:18

Undo the blue locking nut and lift the mount from the chair.

Using a rigid wheelchair mount

Link: https://youtu.be/RrF61FKBYoI