ARATA

AAC SIG

Vision

To be a prime resource for information on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in Australia.

Mission

To address issues that are especially pertinent to technology in relation to AAC.

Goals 2001 - 2003

These goals/aims were proposed by the AAC SIG members at the recent ARATA 2001 Conference. As only 8 members were able to attend this meeting they are published below for further discussion. Feedback and ideas (via the arata listserver) are welcome, or email Anne Mackay amackay@gil.com.au.

  • Evaluate new SIG structure as introduced this year by the ARATA Board - that of having state representatives as well as the executive committee. This group is to meet by teleconference regularly.
  • Recruitment of new SIG members - both from within ARATA and without; actively coopt new ARATA members with an interest in AAC, in particular to target students at universities.
  • Proactive liaison with other agencies with similar interests and goals (eg AGOSCI).
  • Increase profile of AAC SIG within ARATA and by doing so increase AAC papers at the next conference.
  • Maintain and increase listserver activity within AAC group; review use and design of listserver activity.

Goals 1999 - 2001

Communication amongst members.

  • To develop a facility for non-members to post questions and receive the answers.
  • To encourage people who would like to access the list server to become ARATA members.
  • To develop a facility for the archiving of e-mails (eg ACOLUG).
  • To assist members without e-mail to access the list server using a "hotmail" address.
  • To encourage consumers to participate (although the issue of being a member may be restrictive).
Sharing Information and resources:
To develop a system whereby resources developed by therapists could be shared amongst ARATA members.
Exchange of Equipment Services:
To investigate the possibility of including an equipment exchange section on the ARATA website (there would need to be a disclaimer that this is a website for advertisement and that the equipment and its condition was not the responsibility of ARATA).
Advocacy:
To develop materials (eg pamphlet) to alert local MP's and other relevant bodies/individuals to the needs of AAC users.

Organisational links

To maintain links with other organisations with a similar focus to:

  • Advertise ARATA Conference and ARATA membership to other organisations eg. ASSA (Australian Association of Special Education), ASSID (Australian Association for the study of Intellectual Disability), AGOSCI (Australian Group on Severe Communication Impairment), CAUS (communication Aids Users Society), AAOT (Australian Association of Occupational therapists), SPA (Speech Pathology Australia), APA (Australian Physiotherapy Association).
  • Investigate ways to encourage participation in ARATA and the AAC-SIG from tertiary students in AAC (suggested student rate for membership).

Next steps

To prioritise goals and set tasks that can be realistically achieved over the next two years.

Contact - office bearers 2001-2003

  • Chair: Anne Mackay (QLD) Email: amackay@gil.com.au
  • Deputy Chair: Kim Symmonds (WA)
  • Secretary: Diane Clarke (QLD)
  • State Representatives
  • Andrea McQueen (VIC)
  • Julie Jensen (SA)
  • Anne Mackay (QLD)
  • Ruth Chalk (TAS)
  • Avril Harper (NZ)
  • Volunteers required for NSW, ACT and NT