May 2008 Edition - agosci

ccommunicationo m m u n i c a t i o nppartnersa r t n e r sConsiderations When Engaging Speakers who use ACC ... (cont)Checklist Questions for OrganiserIssues to consider: do you have a budget to cover the costs of involving anAAC-user; have you clearly defined the topic, format, andinformation that is wanted from the AAC-user; have you allocated adequate time for the AAC-user toprepare and to deliver their presentation; does the AAC-user have any special needs (e.g., hearingdiffi culties); have you supplied a map to the venue; has a liaison person been allocated (in case anythinggoes wrong on the day and also to help with travel,refreshments, setting up and packing up); who will be responsible for booking the taxi?; who will be responsible for paying for the taxi or othertravel costs incurred (e.g., Cab charge voucher); is the venue accessible, including toilet facilities; does the AAC-user have a support person he or shelikes to use; does the AAC-user need extra amplification such asexternal speakers and/or a microphone; are any other equipment or resources needed (e.g.,overhead projector, sign interpreters); and who is responsible for photocopying material.Checklist Questions for SpeakerIssues to consider: how long is the presentation that is wanted; are my costs covered; is there any help available, if needed, to put thepresentation together; how much time has been allocated for questions; what sort of format for questions (e.g., yes/no questionsonly, write down questions with an email address andrespond after the presentation, take time to answerquestions during the presentation); have travel arrangements been sorted out; have I received a map for getting to and from thevenue; what is the size of the venue; will there be adequate amplifi cation for the VOCA to beheard; do I have a way of signalling for help, if needed; have I got a back-up or hard copy of the presentation;and is there someone to “read” my presentation on mybehalf.So you have gone through the checklist and it all still seems abit daunting and you need some support, there a number ofplaces to go and people to talk too for some advice.Include details of useful contact people here:____________________________________________________________________________________________PLEASE NOTE: This is a draft of a document designed to makeit easier for people with complex communication needs to beinvolved in some sort of public speaking. We are happy forpeople to use what they want from it. We are also interestedin feedback and comments on the content. Please send anysuggestions to: Mel Smith – msmith.crc@scopevic.org.au orKaren Bloomberg – kbloomberg.crc@scopevic.org.auSpread the word ...Let users of AACand their families know about AGOSCIDownloand a membership formfrom the internetwww.agosci.org.au19