PODD Alternative Access

1-Day Workshop

About PODD

The Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display (PODD) approach assists people with complex communication needs to learn to understand and use language to enable autonomous communication. It provides strategies to support the design, production and implementation of communication systems to enable genuine communication for a variety of functions in all daily environments.

Learning Outcomes

The focus of this workshop is on Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display (PODD) communication books designed for individuals who cannot point directly to a display with their hands. The content will build on the information relating to the purpose, design principles, intervention strategies and use of PODD communication books covered in the two-day introductory workshop.

A range of alternative access PODD communication book will be discussed including: eye-gaze (eye-pointing), partner-assisted scanning (visual, auditory, visual plus auditory scanning), combination access, and coded access. The design features to suit, procedures to operate and teach each access method will be presented. Participants will have the opportunity to practice using each access method.

Participants will be able to:

• Describe the different PODD design considerations/options to accommodate for alternative access methods.
• Outline the considerations for selecting different access methods to suit individual requirements.
• Perform the partner operational procedures to use a range of alternate access methods.
• Discuss problem-solving methodologies for developing operational skills for individuals who have severe movement difficulties (e.g. developing accept/reject movements for scanning).

Who could benefit from this workshop?

This workshop will be of interest to teachers, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and educators of individuals who have complex communication needs. 

**Please note:  it is a requirement to have completed a 2-Day PODD Introductory Workshop in order to attend this workshop.**

About the Presenter

Janelle Sampson is a certified Practicing Speech Pathologist and has worked for over 30 years in both Australia and Canada, predominantly with a focus on Augmentative and Alternative Communication. In 2011, she founded Two Way Street in Adelaide where she provides workshops, consultation, individual intervention, and various other programs. She has worked extensively in schools and other organisations to support children and adults with complex communication needs. Janelle is also the founder of the ROCC (Roadmap of Communicative Competence) Assessment. She is a certified PODD presenter and provides regular consultations and workshops around Australia.

This workshop is co-presented by:

Lee Withall

Lee is a Brisbane-based specialist teacher with over 35 years’ experience in a variety of roles in both special and mainstream schools, including class teacher, education consultant, and advisory teacher. Her focus has been working with education teams supporting students with a physical disability, including those who use AAC. Lee’s introduction to the PODD communication system and key teaching-learning strategies to support aided language learning and communication autonomy, started with her professional collaboration with Gayle (and CPEC team) in the late 1990s  She was certified as a PODD presenter by Gayle in 2013. As part of her role with Qld Education Department, Lee has led the development of a range of professional learning resources for schools about students with physical disability including those who use AAC.

Registration and Cancellation Policy

Registration is only confirmed upon full payment of fee. To access the discounted rate for members you must be logged into your AGOSCI member account prior to registration. 

Please Note* All registrations incur a 3.5% paypal fee that can't be refunded

• 96.5% refund until 60 days before event.
• 46.5% refund between 8-59 days before event. 
• No refunds within 0-7 days of event start date.

Applications for registrations are subject to final approval by AGOSCI to ensure fair and equal access to events across organisations. Waitlist registrations will be taken upon all positions being filled.

COVID Safety

If you are experiencing any cold/flu symptoms or don't feel well on the day, please support the safety of others by staying at home and not attending the workshop in person. 

This workshop is proudly brought to you by AGOSCI