ACES 2023 Needs Volunteers

ACES is a program for young adult users 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.

ACES needs volunteer peer mentors - July 26 - August 7, 2020. Orientation will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2020.

Apply to Volunteer for ACES 2023

Position Description - ACES Peer Mentor

General Information

• ACES needs one mentor for each 1-2 participants
• Unpaid experience; transportation, meals, and lodging at volunteer’s expense
• Flexible scheduling; various shifts available, including morning, afternoon, and evening

Requirements

• Some academic background or experience with people with disabilities, augmentative/alternative communication (AAC), computer access, and/or related fields
• Respectful, person-centered attitude
• Independent learner who can take direction

Responsibilities

• Attend Volunteer Orientation anticipated early July 2023 (TBD) or complete approved comparable preparation.
• Support assigned and unassigned participants during ACES on-campus with various tasks.
• Learn basic use and support for participants’ AAC systems 
• Encourage learning and reinforce course content during activities (e.g., assist participants with activities, provide appropriate communication modeling, etc.)
• Assist participants with completing course assignments as needed
• Engage with, include, and support participants in conversations, group discussions, etc. (i.e., ensure all participants’ voices are heard) 
• Attend and participate in ACES courses or activities, under the direction of ACES staff, as assigned and appropriate 
  • Volunteers are personally responsible for completing all paperwork required for course credit, observation hours, and/or clinical experience, etc. 
• Follow through on commitments on time
  • Attend all ACES activities assigned during scheduled volunteer hours.  Volunteers are required to inform ACES staff at least 24 hours in advance of any changes to the committed schedule.