As co-founders of BCAAC (BC Association for Advancing Communications | BCAAC | British Columbia), Joe Kwan and Joyce Lo had a vision to develop an inclusive and interdisciplinary AAC Camp to support children and families in British Columbia. Their PANDA (Promoting and Advancing) AAC Camp took place at the UBC Vancouver Campus August 3rd-6th, 2022.
AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. As described by Joe “it includes all forms of communication (except oral speech) and supports people who have speech or language impairments”. Without the use of such devices many non- or minimally-verbal people would have trouble expressing their thoughts, ideas, needs, and feelings.
Joe and Joyce have first-hand experience with AAC devices having a young son who is minimally verbal. At the age of 4 their beautiful son was diagnosed with autism as well as another rare genetic condition called SATB2 associated syndrome. “Our initial reactions were shock, grief and fear of the unknown,” they shared. “Since then, [we] have received support from other special-needs families, specialists and therapists.” Over the years their son trialed numerous AAC devices, and soon both parents realized that they need to learn more about educational technology to empower their son and others like him.
Although Joe and Joyce have a lot on their plates supporting their son’s care and raising their other young son, they decided to head back to school. Both Joe and Joyce are currently enrolled in the Master of Educational Technology (MET) Program at UBC. “[We] are grateful for the program which has taught [us] about ableism, equity and technology.”
In early 2022 Joe and Joyce started planning for the PANDA AAC Camp with Reiko Anderson (SLP). Their inspiration came from a camp they attended in 2019. Their idea was to create an interdisciplinary camp where teachers, educational assistants, behavioural consultants… really anyone supporting children with communication delays could come together to teach and learn from each other.
I was lucky enough to witness the camp first hand. The campers were able to play, learn and try activities they might never have otherwise tried. Volunteers were all smiles, feeling well trained and well support in their roles. They had nothing to worry about and could put all their focus on supporting the campers. And for me the biggest sign of the camp’s success was the smiles on the parents faces.
Joe and Joyce’s vision really came to life: They were able to create a wonderful, supportive community for the week!
Share with us by Joe and Joyce
Ten Wishes from a Student who uses AAC:
– I wish my friends would joke with me.
– I wish my teacher would learn how to work my communication aid.
– I wish adults would stop shouting at me like I can’t hear.
– I wish my therapist wouldn’t have a heart attack when my machine doesn’t work.
– I wish my people would remember that I don’t always spell very well.
– I wish my friends would have more patience with me.
– I wish my teacher would call on me for share day.
– I wish everyone would just give me enough time to say what I’m thinking.
– I wish people wouldn’t hit my machine when it doesn’t work. That’s my mouth they are hitting!
– I wish I could walk and talk like my sister and brother.
(Source: https://www.prentrom.com/)
