What We Do

About Everyone Connects Australia

The Independent Living Centre NSW is partnering with the Telstra Foundation, to expand Everyone Connects into a national project
called Everyone Connects Australia.

Following the success of our one year pilot project, delivered in metropolitan, regional and rural areas of NSW, Everyone Connects will be expanded.

The pilot project demonstrated the need many young people with communication disabilities have to experiment with and learn about smart devices and specialised assistive technology for communication and for telecommunications, including use of social media.

We had an overwhelmingly positive response from participants during the pilot project. Many people were inspired to build their communication skills, try new apps, accessories and options to access devices, to use telecommunications to connect to the digital world.

In phase 2 of this project, the Independent Living Centre NSW will run:

1. Consumer Workshops:
   We will continue to deliver consumer workshops around Australia. Check the dates and locations below.
2. In-Depth Training Program:
   Deliver in-depth training programs for people with complex communication needs, allied health professionals, teachers, other professionals, family members and carers working or living with people who have complex communication needs.
3. Train the Trainer:
   Develop the “Train the Trainer” program aimed at mentoring and training other consultants in other states to deliver the Everyone Connects consumer workshops.

The team of Everyone Connects Australia will continue to help in increasing the knowledge of people with complex communication needs about available options by:

• Running free individual consultations
• Replying to Infoline queries
• Running communication group tours
• Presenting at expos

Project updates published on Telstra News in May 2015

Workshop Dates and Locations

Consumer Workshops are for people with Complex Communication Needs (CCN) - Cost is FREE.

In-Depth Trainings are for therapists, carers, teachers and other professionals working with CCN - Cost is $165 pp.
*People with CCN can attend for FREE.

Register to attend one of the Workshops

download payment form for In-depth Training

If you would like to receive notifications about the Everyone Connects project and workshops,
please email: EveryoneConnects@ilcnsw.asn.au

2016 Dates and Locations

Consumer Expos (10.30am – 2.30pm):

• Blacktown: 12 April
• Melbourne: 10 May
• Alice Springs: 24 May
• Orange: 2 August
• Ballarat: 30 August
• Brisbane: 13 September
• Rockhampton: 11 October
• Newcastle: 26 October
• Canberra: 9 November
• Ryde: 22 November
• Perth: TBC
• Geraldton: TBC
• Fullarton: TBC
• Hobart: TBC

Advanced Workshops (full day):

• Blacktown: 11 April
• Melbourne: 9 May
• Alice Springs: 23 May
• Orange: 1 August
• Ballarat: 29 August
• Brisbane: 12 September
• Rockhampton: 10 October
• Newcastle: 25 October
• Canberra: 8 November
• Ryde: 21 November
• Perth: TBC
• Geraldton: TBC
• Fullarton: TBC
• Hobart: TBC

Locations that the project previously covered:
Blacktown, Coffs Harbour, Wollongong, Canberra, Darwin, Katherine, Gilles Plains, Melbourne, Frankston, Perth, Bunbury, Brisbane, and Launceston.

Scope of Everyone Connects - How do we Help?

Everyone Connects helps with:

• Information and advice on communication and telecommunications devices
• Mobile technologies and speech generating devices on display
• Accessories and a range of alternative access equipment on display
• Advisory appointments, to help consider what will work for you
• Workshops and educational modules
• Assistive technology guides
• Information to assist with digital literacy and cyber-safety

Resources for Downloads

Everyone Connects Assistive Technology Guide:

• AT Guide - Communications and Telecommunications - Choosing your device

Everyone Connects Educational Modules:

1. Introduction to communication for people with complex communication needs
2. Introduction to telecommunications for people with complex communication needs
3. Access methods to telecommunications devices
4. Factors to consider when choosing apps/software and telecommunications devices
5. Digital literacy and cyber safety Part I
6. Cyber safety Part II
7. AAC User Experiences – Georgia Cranko
8. AAC User Experiences – Fiona Given

AT Tutorials:

1. iOS Guided Access
2. iOS Assistive Touch
3. iOS Speak Selection
4. iOS Switch Accessible Apps
5. iOS Switch Control with External Switches
6. iOS Accessibility feature: Zoom
7. iOS Accessibility feature: Accessibility Shortcut
8. Android: Palm motion – Capture Screen
9. Android: Palm motion – Pause or Mute

Information Sheets:

1. Infosheet - Access Methods for Light Tech AAC (new)
2. Infosheet - Accessing Therapy Services and Funding (new)
3. Infosheet - Aided Language Stimulation (new)
4. Infosheet - Aided Language Stimulation Strategies (new)
5. Infosheet - Computer vs Tablet
6. Infosheet - Digital literacy and cyber safety
7. Infosheet - Eye-Gaze System
8. Infosheet - Iconcity of Symbols
9. Infosheet - Language Representation | Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
10. Infosheet - Mounting System
11. Infosheet - Speech Generating Devices vs. Mainstream Tablets
12. Infosheet - The SETT Framework
13. Infosheet - Switches
14. Infosheet - Telecommunications (new)

@ a Glance Guides:

1. @ a Glance Guide - Communication
2. @ a Glance Guide - Mobile Technology for Communication

Feedback and Outcomes

Positive feedback from participant:

Endless Possibilities... How the workshop influenced participants' experience with telecommunications devices

Acknowledgement and More Info

The Independent Living Centre NSW would like to thank the Telstra Foundation. Their support enabled us to provide these free Assistive Technology Workshops.

Anyone who would like to try out equipment is welcome to make an appointment at the Independent Living Centre NSW.

For further information, contact the Everyone Connects Australia Team:
Phone: 02 9912 5800
Email: EveryoneConnects@ilcnsw.asn.au