Volume 15, Issue 1
Winter, 2008
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Opening Doors to New Worlds
WAPADH’S investment in training and the latest
technologies for consumers has opened new doors on the world for the
users of our service.
The most often used and crowded
room in the building is our Tech Access Center – people surfing the
net and experiencing “new worlds” full of information.
And this access to information
gives the users of our service much more to talk about.
With remarkable and innovative communication technologies and our
improved understanding of Communication styles, we are hearing more and
more from the users of our services who are increasing their abilities
to articulate their ideas.
And finally, it’s about
training, training, training. Staff,
consumers, families and funders, we have opened the door to the high
priority of being a good communicator and a good communication partner.
We’ve not
only opened the door on a new world for people but proven that it leads
to high satisfaction in the use of our services.
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Christi Hendrickson,
PhD, brings her expertise to the Mentorship Project.
Christi is a national leader in communication for people without speech.
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Mentorship Project
for
Communication Partner Support
With generous contributions from local foundations,
Darlene Hanson, Communication Specialist and Christi Hendrickson, PhD
from the University of Colorado will lead a year long training of 12
mentors to improve communication support.
Our goal will be to build the capacity of trainers in Facilitated
Communication and other augmentative communication strategies across
local and county areas.
WAPADH learned some important lessons in the development of its Language
Arts Library several years ago. First,
that the quality of communication for a person without speech depends on
the competency and the amount of training of the communication partner.
And second, that we had more users of augmentative communication
systems than we had trained communication partners. The Mentorship
Project for Communication Partner Support is a first major step to build
training capacity in our agency and others across the county.
Please watch for updates as we begin the “Mentorship Project
for Communication Partner Support”. |
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Consumer Feedback Drives WAPADH Success
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In a recent survey, consumers and
parents were asked to rate WAPADH’S programs.
They were asked to rate their level of satisfaction with the
following:
* Meaningfulness
of Individual Program Objectives.
* Effectiveness
of communication by WAPADH staff.
* Treatment
by WAPADH staff.
* Their
confidence in the abilities of WAPADH staff in responding to questions
about programs.
* Any
problems that arise are resolved in a timely manner.
Overall
consumer satisfaction and overall parent satisfaction was very high
and even showed improvement in the high level of satisfaction from
previous years.
The Board of
Directors highly values the input from consumers and parents as a
leading indicator of the success of its programs.
As we move in new program directions and add to the number of
consumers served in our programs, the Board of Directors finds this
measure of satisfaction critical.
The
Satisfaction Survey data along with other key success indicators,
including consumer success in meeting their program objectives and
goals, program safety, and a summary of emerging services are all part
of the new Program Services Report for the 2006-2007
program year available in the WAPADH office.
Of course, we
are asking consumers everyday about how they rate us and about the
level of engagement in services provided at WAPADH.
We think the chart
below reflects
the level of overall satisfaction with our programs.
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Mark your Calendars for the 2008 FC Symposium
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Whittier
once again will be the site of the 3rd West Coast Symposium on
Facilitated Communication.
The event, sponsored by WAPADH in partnership with Syracuse
University’s Facilitated Communication Institute, is set for July
10-12, 2008 at the Radisson Hotel in Uptown Whittier.
There will be featured presenters from all over the United States
and Australia, along with presentations by users of FC.
Facilitated
Communication’s impact has been significant in the lives of these FC
users.
These individuals report to us increased control of their ideas and
thoughts, an improvement in the way their bodies feel and move, and the
tremendous results of their ability to dictate, on their terms, what
happens in their lives.
The
West Coast Symposium Facilitated Communication is shaping up to be a
dynamic gathering of some of the greatest proponents of FC in the world.
Come join us!
If
past symposiums are any indication this will be an event not to be missed.
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The 11th Annual "NoName"
Golf Tournament
to benefit
WAPADH |
| Thursday, April 24,
2008
Green River Golf Club
5215 Green River Road
Corona, CA 92280
(714) 970-8411
10:30 am Registration
12:00 pm Modified Shotgun Start
Free Range Balls!
Putting Contest!
After-golf Awards
Raffle
No-host Bar
Dinner |
Green
Fees and Dinner
$125
plus a door prize donation
Can't Golf??
Make a donation (door prize or cash)
WE ARE COUNTING ON YOU!! |
For More Information, Click Here to Download the
GOLF TOURNAMENT ENTRY FORM
Mail reservation form and registration fee to:
WAPADH
9300 Santa Fe Springs Rd.
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
(562) 946-0467
Fax (562) 946-5767
Info@WAPADH.com
Download Adobe Reader®
(free) to view reservation form!
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New Technology Enhances WAPADH Programs
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Technology
is undeniably the big news of the future for the consumers of WAPADH.
WAPADH, in conjunction with the Whittier Unified School District Adult
Education, was able to expand its technology through the purchase of new
computers for its Technology Access Center.
Also, we were able to add two “Attainment Workstations” in our
Language Arts Library through donations from local service groups.
With
the purchase of the new Attainment Workstations and the new computers, many
consumers can now use technology and access
the Internet whenever and however they need to.
Because they are so easy to operate, new worlds have opened up for our
consumers like never before! Both
Attainment Workstations are operated by touch screen, making them accessible
to everyone.
If
you are interested in more information or would like to find out how you can
help bring our consumers into the future, please visit our website at
www.wapadh.org, or drop us an email at info@wapadh.com. |
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Adriana Persona practices her typing skills on the new
computers in WAPADH’s Technology Access Center
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An Attainment Workstation helps Kathy Hongkham
and Aaron Aguilar with their reading
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Download Adobe Reader®
(free) to view WAPADH's newsletter!
Current Issue (same as above, in PDF format)
CONNECTIONS,
Volume 15, Issue 1 (Winter, 2008)
Previous Issues
CONNECTIONS,
Volume 14, Issue 1 (Spring, 2007)
CONNECTIONS, Volume 13, Issue 1 (Spring, 2006)
CONNECTIONS, Volume 12, Issue 3 (Winter, 2005)
CONNECTIONS, Volume 11, Issue 1 (Spring, 2004) |
