CENMAC has established partnerships with a number of developers and organisations involved in Assistive Technology (AT) and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). This allows us to keep up-to-date with new products and to have the latest information on strategies for using them. We can also actively support policy and implementation.
Our equipment bank allows us to demonstrate hardware resources to schools, therapists, students and parents. We use a wide range of software programs and apps and we are able to advise on how they can be used to meet individual students needs and on how schools can implement them more widely.
AAC SIG
The Assistive and Augmentative Communication Special Interest Group is an organisation under the auspices of the Royal College of Speech Therapists. It meets three times a year to hold study days around various aspects of the subject. Kathryn Stowell, Head of CENMAC and Tina Voizey, Complex Needs Consultant are members of the committee.
More information: www.aacsig.org.uk
Ace Centre
Ace Centre is a registered charity (No. 1089313) providing Assistive Technology and Augmentative and Alternative Communication services for people with complex needs. We offer assessment, training and information services across England, with a focus on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology (AT), delivered by our multi-disciplinary team of specialist teachers, occupational therapists, speech & language therapists with the support of technical and administrative staff.
We believe everyone should be given the opportunity and the tools they need to fulfill their potential; we therefore lobby for change in statutory policy as well as working directly with people who need our support.
Ace Centre have partnered with CENMAC to run our annual Communication Works event in the North. They are also collaborating on the production of a Switch development and activities website.
More information: https://acecentre.org.uk/
AssistiveWare
Everyone has something to say. Working closely with the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) community, AssistiveWare build apps and share best practices to help you communicate with the world.
After a successful pilot of Proloquo classroom in three pilot classes within Charlton Park Academy in 2023-2024, we are now piloting implementation across the whole school. CENMAC are also supporting a small pilot in another specialist provision which we support in Havering.
More information: https://www.assistiveware.com/products/proloquo
BATA – British Assistive Technology Association
CENMAC are members of BATA and support the aims of this valuable organisation. They aim:
To campaign for the rights and interests of those needing Assistive Technology.
To provide expert and impartial support and advice to government departments and agencies.
To educate and inform widely on the benefits of Assistive Technology.
To promote British Assistive Technology products and expertise at home and overseas.
To develop the professionalism of those working with Assistive Technology through codes of practice, education, qualifications, accreditation, certification and networking.
Kathryn Stowell, Head of CENMAC and Maureen De Longhi, CENMAC Advisory teacher are also part of BATA’s Education Special Interest Group (SIG) a collaborative partnership of Educators, Therapists, and AT Specialists as well as the BATA’s Research Education Special Interest Group (SIG).
More information: www.bataonline.org.uk
Clicker Education Partner
CENMAC is a Clicker Education Partner. We have links with the software publisher Crick Software to ensure that we receive training on the latest products and are consulted on new developments. We run frequent training courses on Clicker software. We also give advice and guidance on the use of the Clicker app and the DocsPlus program.
More information: www.cricksoft.com
Communication Matters
Communication Matters is a UK wide organisation that supports people of all ages who find it hard to communicate because they have little or no clear speech. We support people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in their basic human right to communicate, be included and heard in an equitable society.
More information: https://www.communicationmatters.org.uk/
Council for Disabled Children
We want disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs to have full and happy childhoods, to fulfill their potential, and be active within the community. And we want parents of disabled children to be parents first – living ordinary lives.
Who we are
The Council for Disabled Children is part of the National Children’s Bureau family. We are the umbrella body for the disabled children’s sector with a membership of over 300 voluntary and community organisations and an active network of practitioners that spans education, health and social care.
As a membership body we provide a collective voice that champions the rights of children, young people and their families and challenges barriers to inclusion.
As a collective we believe that the views of disabled children and young people are vital to the development of an inclusive society and that they have the right to be heard and actively participate in decisions that affect them.
We believe that every child and young person should enjoy the same rights and opportunities and that every aspect of society should be fully inclusive to disabled children and young people.
More information: https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/
RIX.
RIX. inclusive research institute mission is to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities through effective use of digital and multimedia technologies. We lead research and learning partnerships and co-develop software and training to exploit the potential of digital tools for the benefit of our most excluded fellow citizens.
RIX. and CENMAC have worked together for many years on training and research. Annually CENMAC and Charlton Park Academy provide work placements for RIX. social work students.
More information: https://www.rixinclusiveresearch.org/
SENJIT
There is an informal termly meeting of Greater London QTVIs to share best practice and to give each service the opportunity to discuss any questions or issues that may have arisen.
The morning includes talks by professionals in the field.
The meetings are held as video conferences with services taking the hosting in turns.
Contact: christina.matawa@rbkc.gov.uk to find out more and/or be invited to the next meeting.
Sensory Guru
CENMAC is a Sensory Guru Partner and our team is helping with the implementation of the Sensory Guru product Magic Room at Charlton Park Academy.
Access your world with Magic Room
Explore communication, amplify capabilities and make environments more responsive. Magic Room makes it possible for educators, health professionals, parents and caregivers to deliver accessible experiences designed for individual sensory, communication and access needs.
More information: https://sensoryguru.com/
Sibs
Sibs exists to support people who grow up with or have grown up with a disabled brother or sister. It is the only UK charity representing the needs of over half a million young siblings and over one and a half million adult siblings.
More information: https://www.sibs.org.uk/
Widgit Centre
CENMAC is a Widgit Centre. This makes us part of a network of organisations based around the country who offer advice and support on products from Widgit Software. We can demonstrate and offer guidance and training on the In Print 3 and Symwriter 2 programs. We also give general advice on using symbols to support communication and access to the curriculum.
More information: www.widgit.com