Non-AGOSCI AAC Events
Important Notice
These are not AGOSCI events.
AGOSCI is not responsible for information about these events, and may not agree with information in these events.
If you would like to list your event on this website, please email education@agosci.org.au and include your event details.
AGOSCI will decide if your event is suitable for listing on this webpa
Best Practice in Assessing and Supporting Literacy in Children Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) project
The Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute is collaborating with the University College London to run a research project on 'Best practice in assessing and supporting literacy in children who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)'. This project has ethical approval from the UCL Language and Cognition Ethics Chair, project ID 0507.
We are seeking speech pathologists with recent experience of working with children who use AAC to take part in this research. This will involve completing a series of 2-3 surveys, sharing your opinions and experience of assessment and intervention practices for literacy skills within this client population. Please see the attached poster for more information on the study and find the link to the survey below.
Learn Easy English 2 day Writing Course
Presented by Access Easy English
Register for our highly interactive internationally recognised award winning 2-day Easy English course.
You develop an understanding of Easy English, review current resources and research, and begin to develop your own Easy English document with the support of Access Easy English staff. This course focuses on all elements of implementing Easy English, including how to plan what to include, specific language choices and use of images. It is an interactive course with numerous opportunities for participants to practise their new skills in activities and in their own document. Website and internet access is explored. Participants also consider the organisational implementation of Easy English.
This course is suitable for anyone who writes information for the public: communications and marketing staff, support workers, planners, therapists, disability advocates, teachers, ethics teams, researchers, local council staff, government department staff, NDIS staff, report writers, My Aged Care staff, access and inclusion team members, Health Promotions staff…and anyone who writes for their own staff - work tasks, safety information, job descriptions, entitlements, work reports.
Where: Online via Zoom
When: Tuesday 17 June and Thursday 19 June 2025
Time: 9:00am – 5:00 pm Melbourne time (AEST)
Cost:$1,200 + GST
Spot the Difference - Plain Language, Easy English, Easy Read explained webinar
Presented by Access Easy English
A 2-hour webinar where you will learn the differences between Plain Language, Easy English, Easy Read, and discover other accessible text formats.
Where: Online via Zoom
When: Wednesday 18 June 2025
Time: 11am – 1pm Melbourne time (AEST)
Cost: $150 + GST
Insights to Literacy for Communications and Marketing webinar
Presented by Access Easy English
Is your message getting through? A 2-hour webinar where you will learn about literacy in Australia and how it impacts your message and how Easy English and a range of accessible formats can help you reach people with low literacy.
Where: Online via Zoom
When: Wednesday 25 June 2025
Time: 11am – 1pm Melbourne time (AEST)
Cost: $150 + GST
Digital development: hidden accessibility barriers webinar
Presented by Access Easy English
A 2-hour webinar for anyone who wants to know more about how literacy affects consumers’ use of the internet and digital tools.
Where: Online via Zoom
When: Wednesday 2 July 2025
Time: 11am – 1pm Melbourne time (AEST)
Cost: $150 + GST
Variety – The Children’s Charity of WA: Helping Kids to Communicate
Communication is a fundamental human right and is essential for expressing oneself, developing relationships and contributing to society. Not everyone can communicate through speech alone, and for children with complex communication needs, Augmentative and Alternative Communications (AAC) devices, and knowing how to use them can mean the difference between expressing needs and feelings with loved ones and participating at school.
Variety – The Children’s Charity of WA supports children to communicate using AAC devices through its grants program and a special three-day family camp designed to build AAC skills in a fun, safe and supportive environment.
Made possible through the generous support of Telethon and, more recently, the Morning Sunshine Foundation whose backing will enable an additional camp, the Variety Motor Mouth camp offers children who have limited speech and rely on an AAC electronic communication device/talker to better express themselves.
At the camp, children and families receive one on one support from speech pathologists and occupational therapists, as well as practical training to build confidence in AAC use.
Variety WA Chief Executive Officer Chris Chatterton, said: “We are committed to improving the lives of children, and every child deserves the means to express themselves in a meaningful way through fun, games and interactive learning sessions that are offered at the Variety Motor Mouth Camp.
“This program is only possible through the generous support from Telethon, and our volunteers, mentors and allied health professionals who work together with the participating children and families.
“Families travel from all around the state for this opportunity and we never want to turn anyone away from camp. We are thrilled to be able to expand the program and we are planning an additional Motor Mouth Camp for Western Australia in April 2026, and also one in Queensland with thanks to the Morning Sunshine Foundation.”
The next camp will be held at Point Walter Campsite, Bicton, from Friday 3 October to Sunday 5 October 2025. Applications are being accepted until 1 June 2025 for both participant families and volunteers. Email grants@varietywa.org.au or call 08 9355 3655.
Supporting Learners with CVI and Complex Physical Disabilities
Presented by Cerebral Palsy Education Centre
Cerebral Vision Impairment (CVI) is a brain-based vision impairment impacting many individuals with motor challenges. When a CVI occurs, the structure of the eye is unaffected, however individuals have difficulties using their vision functionally. With targeted support and intervention, individuals with a CVI can learn to use their vision in meaningful ways to access technology, to learn as well as to develop communication skills.
Where: Melbourne, VIC
When: 25th July 2025
Time: 9am – 5pm
Cost: $416.23 including GST
PODD Page Sets for Speech Generating Devices
Presented by Cerebral Palsy Education Centre
The focus of this workshop is the design features of PODD page sets to suit speech generating devices. 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.
Ever wondered why PODD pages sets for speech generating devices are not direct copies of the corresponding language level of a PODD communication book? This workshop will explain the similarities, differences and variations in vocabulary organisations needed to capitalize on, and accommodate for, the innate differences between paper books and electronic devices.
Where: online via zoom
When: 28th July, 4th August, & 11th August, 2025
Time: 7:30pm – 9:30pm AEST
Cost: $348.91 including GST
PODD Advanced Workshop
Presented by Cerebral Palsy Education Centre
This intensive advanced PODD workshop is for people who have completed a two day PODD Introductory workshop and are now seeking to further develop their knowledge and skill. (Note: Completion of an advanced PODD course is a pre‐requisite for people who are interested in applying for certification as a PODD presenter in the future.)
This course aims to build on current knowledge and fluency using PODD communication books for individuals who have begun to implement these strategies with students. Focus will be on building fluency, refining observational assessment and implementation planning skills, and strategies for training communication partners. The course will also provide opportunities for problem‐solving more complex challenges. Content will include case studies from participants.
Where: Melbourne, VIC
When: 22nd - 26th September, 2025
Time: 9am – 5pm
Cost: $1,549.45 including GST
Teaching Movements for Communication
Presented by Cerebral Palsy Education Centre
For some children with complex communication needs, it is the method of accessing the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system that is significantly affecting their development of intelligible, autonomous communication. These children, who have significant physical and/or sensory challenges, often need to learn movements to access AAC systems. This intensive five day workshop will provide participants with an in depth opportunity to explore the movement differences associated with cerebral palsy, other significant neurological movement impairments (eg Rett Syndrome, Pitt Hopkins, Cri Du Chat, etc.), and severe sensory processing challenges. There will be a focus on identifying these posture and movement challenges in relation to their impact on communication development, assessment and intelligibility. A range of strategies and a process to teach movements for communication will be demonstrated.
Where: Melbourne, VIC
When: 29th September - 3rd October, 2025
Time: 9am – 5pm
Cost: $1,549.45 including GST
Alternative Access to Technology
Presented by Cerebral Palsy Education Centre
The focus of this workshop is the design features of PODD page sets to suit speech generating devices. 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.
Ever wondered why PODD pages sets for speech generating devices are not direct copies of the corresponding language level of a PODD communication book? This workshop will explain the similarities, differences and variations in vocabulary organisations needed to capitalize on, and accommodate for, the innate differences between paper books and electronic devices.
Where: online via zoom
When: 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th October, 2025
Time: 4:30pm – 6:30pm AEST
Cost: $348.91 including GST
Alek: an AAC app that uses AI to predict what you want to say - trial users wanted!
Alek (link: https://alekassist.com) is a new AAC app powered by cutting-edge AI that predicts what users want to say based on the conversation they're having. Available now on iOS and as a web app, Alek is designed to make communication faster, easier, and more intuitive.
We’re looking for AAC users and SLPs to trial Alek and share feedback – your insights could directly shape its future development. All we ask is that you try the app for a few days and complete a short survey via Google Forms.
Interested? Email us at support@alekassist.com. Or, try Alek now on our website (https://alekassist.com), or download the latest version from the App Store (https://apps.apple.com/au/
‘What makes it stick? A pilot project to explore the factors that enable adults living with severe intellectual disability and communication impairments to communicate multifunctionally.’
Invitation for project participants and their proxies in the study
Research staff from the University of Wollongong and The Disability Trust involved in the study: A/Prof Shoshana Dreyfus, Dr Shawn Burns, Keely Honner, Tarryn Bracken
Please contact Shoshana Dreyfus for more information and to submit an expression of interest at shooshi@uow.edu.au
Variety WA
Variety WA helps kids reach their full potential regardless of ability or background. Primarily we provide equipment and experiences for kids who are sick, disadvantaged or living with disability.
In 2024, we granted $1.4 million worth of assistance to 26,225 WA kids. Many Allied Health Professionals apply for equipment for their clients through us. We can provide items which may not be covered by the NDIS or other organisations. Often, we are able to fill some of the gaps to address otherwise unmet need.
Apply for an Assistive Technology Grant
We can provide assistive technology items such as mobility equipment, sensory equipment, specialised beds and medical equipment, tablets, laptops, C-Pens, GPS watches and prescription glasses. We also provide grants to groups and organisations for sensory rooms, therapy equipment and accessible play equipment.
Visit our grants page to fill in an expression of interest form or email our friendly team with any questions: grants@varietywa.org.au or call 9355 3655 to find out how we can help.
