SERVICE

ACES 2023

Applications are open!

Scholarships are available for Pennsylvania residents.

ACES 2023 will be July 16-28, 2023 on the campus of Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.

ACES stands for Augmentative Communication Empowerment and Supports.

ACES is a program for young adult users (18+ years) of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) located on the main campus of Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

ACES is a two-week intensive program followed by monthly meetups and ongoing social media engagement. This summer, ACES will run from July 16 - July 28, 2023.

New for 2023!

ACES 2023 will benefit from the insights and leadership of our AAC User Consultants. These full-time AAC users are working to make ACES 2023 powerful and life-changing. We are working together to design an exciting experience.

Goals

The program goals of ACES include:

Improve effective communication by AAC users.
Improve computer access by AAC users with current technology.
Improve communication skills to secure competitive employment.
Empower AAC users to control their lives using a person-centered decision-making framework.
Increase the capacity of non-AAC users to engage and include AAC users in all activities authentically.
Support the families and friends of AAC users to encourage self-determination by the AAC users.
Build a community of AAC users to support each other and share experiences.
Equip AAC users with a strategy to communicate with health professionals and provide informed consent or refusal.

Participants

Each ACES participant…

Is a young adult or adult who uses AAC.
- May be concentrating on a “transition” such as school to work, home to community, etc.
Is currently using or has the potential to use a speech-generating device.
- Devices (Tobii- Dynavox, PRC, Tablet-based, Phone-based, etc.)
- Access methods (direct select, eye gaze, switches, etc.)
- Communicative intent is demonstrated or assumed
Is able to participate in a full day of learning and work.
Might have a variety of educational or medical diagnoses.

Online ACES Application

Download ACES Application PDF

ACES Volunteer Application

Cost

The cost for the AAC user participant and accompanying support person is $3500. This fee includes tuition, room, and board.
There are a variety of possible funding sources.
- Public funding may be possible through the Extended School Year (ESY) program, OVR, and Waiver funding. The ACES program must meet a participant's school, work, or waiver service plan objectives.
- We work with out-of-state participants to secure adequate funding.
- Some participants pay tuition privately.
TechOWL at the Institute on Disabilities works to secure donations for limited scholarships.

Location

Made Possible By

History

Developed initially in 1990 by Diane N. Bryen, Ph.D., ACES has adapted over the past 30 years while staying true to the mission of improved communication and empowerment in an inclusive community.

Today, we acknowledge emerging technologies and other changes in communication access for all.

We also understand the need for AAC Users to help plan the ACES experience. Therefore, we have contracted full-time AAC users to consult on this program.

Next Steps

Interested?

Details

ACES Supports

If necessary for access and/or functional needs, each ACES participant brings an additional support person. One person per participant enjoys housing with the participant in accessible on-campus housing at Temple University.
Other family members will need to secure a nearby room and board.
ACES staff and volunteers maintain an adequate presence for the safety and security of everyone.

ACES Staff

Staff

Administrative Coordinator
Licensed Speech-Language Pathologists
Access Specialist (i.e., Occupational or Physical Therapist)
Assistive Technology Specialists
Computer Access Educators

Consultants

AAC User Consultants
Empowerment Facilitators - various

Interns

University students for credit, clinical, or work experience
Professionals for continuing education or additional experience
Volunteers from the community
Intern Orientation

Typical ACES Day

This ACES will be structured a bit differently from past years. Each participant will create their class schedule from a catalog of offerings before the beginning of ACES 2023. Each participant will create a schedule to meet their personal goals by the requirements of their funding source, if appropriate. A preliminary ACES 2023 catalog will be available by March 1, 2023. Offerings will include:

Independent study with a communication coach (speech-language pathologist)
Group communication coaching (speech-language pathologist)
Individual device troubleshooting sessions
Interactive Empowerment Seminars
Classes - computer, resume building, yoga, etc.
Fun - swimming, movies, etc.

The participants’ day starts at 8 am and ends at 9 pm.

Breakfast together
- Gather in a common space
- Dietary considerations honored
- Packaged, prepared, and fresh foods
Morning Sessions
- Dependent on the individualized schedule
Lunch at a nearby restaurant or food truck
Afternoon Sessions
- Dependent on the individualized schedule

Dinner together
- Sometimes at nearby restaurants
- Sometimes at the dorm in a common area

Down Time & Fun
- Variety of activities

Any parents, friends, and family members who are not actively supporting an ACES participant are encouraged to participate in separate and specially designed activities and presentations.

Communication Coaching

Our group communication coaching is led by speech-language pathologists and supported by graduate students in speech-language pathology. While every ACES is different, here are some previous communication topics.

Functional Operation of AAC
- AAC Backups
Social Engagement with AAC
- AAC and social media
- Small talk
Strategic Use of AAC
- Getting Someone’s Attention
- Arguing
- Joking
- Advocating
- Role-Playing
Linguistic Considerations
- Vocabulary Sets
- Adult & Intimacy Vocabulary
Emotional Expression
- Friends and Relationships
Distance Communication for AAC Users
- Adapted Phones
- Text Messaging

Computer Catalog

Empowerment Catalog

Fun!

Family Topics

ACES 2023

SERVICE

ACES 2023

Applications are open!

Scholarships are available for Pennsylvania residents.

ACES 2023 will be July 16-28, 2023 on the campus of Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.

ACES stands for Augmentative Communication Empowerment and Supports.

New for 2023!

Goals

Participants

Details

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