8. Appreciating Long Term Results · Global Symbols

Content

Implementing AAC

Rationale and Conceptual Framework

Key Definitions

Relevance and Challenges for AAC Implementation

Example - Serbia: Involving Educators

UNICEF Europe and Central Asia (ECAR) Approach

Example - Serbia: Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)

Assessing Country Readiness

1. Defining Scope and Stakeholders

1a. Starting Point

1b. Identifying a Core Partner

1b. Example - Key partners working with UNICEF in Eastern Europe

1c. Identify Stakeholders

1c. Example - Croatia: Stakeholder Involvement

1d. Identify International Partner

1e. Establish Core Project Team and Partners

1f. Associate Stakeholders with Activities

1f. Example - Technical Support

1g. Develop a Project Plan

1g. Example - Croatia: Work Plan and Output Indicators

2. Making Symbol Choices

2a. Creating an AAC Forum

2a. Example - Croatia: AAC Forum Performance Indicators

2b. Choosing a Symbol Set

2b. Example - Bulgaria: Choosing a Symbol Set

2c. Language and Vocabularies

2c. Example - Croatia: Core Vocabulary

2d. Defining a Core Vocabulary

2e. Selection of New Symbols for Design

2e. Example - ECAR number of symbols for communication boards

2f. Development of Symbols by Local Graphic Designer

2g. Voting on Newly Designed Symbols

2g. Example - Croatia: Experience on Symbol Voting for Acceptance.

2h. Publishing the new Symbol Set with Language Translations

2h. Example - Croatian Symbol Set publication with an Open Licence

2i. Integration of the New Symbol Set with AAC Applications (Cboard)

2i. Example - Montenegro: Cboard supports communication skills

3. Capacity Development

3a. Selection of Participants and Skills Audit

3a. Example - Serbia: Online Skills Audit Survey

3b. Planning Training Delivery

3b Example - Croatia: Training Delivery

3c. Mapping Skills Audit outcomes to Training Content

3c. Example - Modules and Topics based on AAC Themes

3c. Example - Croatia: Adapted Translated Modules

3d. Development and Adaptation of Training Materials

3d. Example - AAC Modules based on the first 3 European Qualifications Framework Levels.

3d. Example - Bulgaria: Adapted training modules

3e. Training Material Considerations

3e. Example Resources

3g. Training Evaluation

3g. Example – Initial Evaluation to Plan for Further Needs - finish

3g. Example – 3-6th month evaluation survey and trouble shooting example - finish

4. AAC Symbol Set Design

4a. Symbol Types

4b. Cultural Nuances seen in Symbols

4c. Cultural Appropriateness at different Levels

4c. Example - Qatar: Tawasol Symbols

4d. Co-Production and Participatory Design

4d. Example of some symbol design and position challenges

4e. Practicalities of Symbol Design

4e. Examples of Symbol Design and Content

4f. Symbol Set Schemas

5. Introducing Tech AAC

5a. Different Levels of AAC Tech

5b. AAC Vocabularies

5c. AAC Communication Boards

5c. Example - Communication Board Types

5d. Introduction to Board Builder and using Symbol Creator

5e. Different Technologies for Different uses.

5e. Examples of Considerations when using Technology

5f. Adding access technology to an AAC device

5g. Open Design and Development

5g. Examples of Opportunities and Open Licences

6. AAC Application Use

6a. Introduction to Cboard

6a. Example - Serbia: Cboard successfully introduced to a 4 year old.

6a. Example - Croatia: Installing and Using CBoard videos

6a. Example - North Macedonia: installing and using Cboard on a Mobile Phone

6b. Text to Speech solutions and different languages

6b. Example - Croatia and Serbia: Text to speech brings positive results

6b. Example - North Macedonia: Suze, a new Female Voice

6c. Interface Localisation where translations are needed.

6c. Example - North Macedonia: Cboard success with Gorjan

6d. Establishing local testing processes – AAC Forum

6e. Providing Feedback and Evaluation as ongoing Processes

6e. Example - Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro: Positive PIADS Evaluation Results

6e. Example - Montenegro: Evaluating enhanced verbal and social outcomes

6e. Examples of other types of evaluation

7. Supporting Families

7a. Understanding Needs of Families and Carers

7b. Early Intervention Strategies at Home

7b. Example - Montenegro: Bojana using AAC with her family

7c. Family and Carer Involvement – Plan for Progression

7c. Example - Croatia: Experience during the COVID Pandemic.

8. Appreciating Long Term Results

8a. Example of Resources for AAC Implementation Planning

8a. Examples of some Family and Carer Resources

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Instructions for Global Symbols, Board Builder and Symbol Creator

Board Builder

PDF download on Board Builder

AAC Symbol Design Guidelines

Symbol Creator Instructions

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Training

Certificate of Completion

Qualification for completion

Adapting training modules and topics

8. Appreciating Long Term Results

Updated 11 Lipanj 2022 by Global Symbols with UNICEF ECARO

Croatian board in a park

Croatian Communication Board in a park developed by Nastavno-klinički centar Edukacijsko-rehabilitacijskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu.

The countries involved with the UNICEF “A Voice for Every Child” programme found that they could already see results from their work over a period of two years that included outcomes such as:

Increased awareness on the value of AAC/AT
Strengthened national coalitions for AAC/AT to support use and availability of affordable AAC solutions
Strengthened collaboration between global and national experts and universities
University courses and continuous professional development opportunities related to AAC AT available
National resource centers for AAC AT support
Professionals (preschool teachers, psychologists, speech and language specialists) use modern methods and means in line with the social model of disability
Centers of excellence support national design and development of AT solutions
Markets shaped to improve accessibility and affordability of AT solutions

Aleksandra Jovic Early Childhood Development Specialist, ECARO

See Also

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