Projects

We have a range of special projects here at Keycomm – please visit each project’s page to find out more about them.

A Skill Based Literacy Framework: Supporting Literacy for children using AAC– We are embarking on a year of supporting literacy at Keycomm in 2020. The aim of this project is to develop a literacy framework which can be used at all ages and levels of communication. The Skill based literacy framework begins with early emergent literacy and also includes using reading and writing to improve AAC vocabulary. We will be identifying the skills required to engage with literacy at 3 different stages and the tools you may use to engage children within literacy ( reading and writing) activities. This will also include our already developed LiterAAC reading programme.

Working Together, Communicating Together: User Involvement and Participation – The aim of this two year project was to use and evaluate the use of Graphic Facilitation as a tool for engagment with individuals who use AAC with Learning and Physical Disabilities. Secondary  aims were  to develop and implement a User Information Strategy  for the Keycomm service as well as to develop a User Engagement programme to aid partnership working with AAC Users in shaping AAC services in Lothian.

Bridging the Gap: Developing a Transition Pathway for Young AAC Users moving from School to Adult services – the aim of this project was to maintain and improve the  communication skills of young people with severe communication impairments using high tech communication aids  through the transition period from school to adult service and to improve the communication skills and awareness of AAC for third sector and social care staff.

The Visual Support Project (VSP) –  This project focuses on the structured implementation of visual symbol supports within mainstream schools.  Keycomm has been working in collaboration with City of Edinburgh Council, Visual Support Services and Speech and Language Therapy services in Edinburgh to take this project forward. The use of  visual symbol supports in  education settings aims to ‘prevent, remove or alleviate the effects of barriers within the learning environment’(1). Local evaluation identified variation in the provision of this low tech AAC. The VSP three tiered model delivers a coordinated implementation programme to raise the awareness, practice and access to visual symbol supports.

Patient Opinion on provision of Assistive Technology(AT) services  – The aim of this project was to capture data and patient opinion about assistive technology services for individuals with long term conditions across Edinburgh and the Lothians, with a view to integrating existing and developing NHS and Health and Social Care services.

Vital Voices – gives anyone aged 19 or over who uses a communication aid a chance to make their very own electronic digital story about why communication really matters to them.

 

 

 

You might also be interested in some past Keycomm projects which are now a full part of our service – the CODES Framework and the SPLAT Library.  The SPLAT Library includes our StoryBags, Switch on Software and Let’s Play and Talk Together.