Impacting lives, changing the community!

The Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida is very excited to launch our iCan Communicate Program. For this unique and innovative program we have partnered with Dr. Jennifer Kent-Walsh, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, S-SP(C. Dr. Kent-Walsh is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Central Florida and current Principal Investigator / Project director / Regional Coordinator for the FAAST Atlantic Region Assistive Technology Demonstration Center. This program will bring the latest technology, research and local expertise to our members and the community.

The iCan Communicate Program is designed to assist individuals with Down syndrome that have limited speech. The Foundation will provide iPads to 15 participants who will then work with the students in the UCF graduate level course: Augmentative and Alternative Communication from September - November 2011. The UCF graduate students will assess the individuals selected for the program, identify the best applications on the iPad for them to be successful communicators, program the appropriate application on the iPads so they can use it for communication and then teach them and the professionals who work with them (and / or their family members) how to use the application and iPad in real world experiences. Along with the program development and training these individuals will receive a 'plan of care' that can either be taken back to their Speech / Language Pathologist or they can select to work with the UCF Communication Disorders Clinic for on-going training and updates to their iPads.

What is the criteria?

To participate in the iCan Communicate program applicants must:

be an individual with Down syndrome
be over the age of 6 years old
have less than 100 spoken words
have a speech / language or medical professional write a referral to our program
be able to travel to UCF at least 4 times between September - November 2011 (independently or with family / member - no transportation will be provided)
demonstrate ability to learn and use and iPad
be a resident of the state of Florida
member of the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida

How do I apply?

The application is at the bottom of this page and is open until September 19, 2011. You can apply to receive both the iPad and the application with the evaluation and support training or if you own an iPad already you may apply for the application and training and allow another family who does not already have an iPad the opportunity to participate as well. The next iCan Communicate Program will open in January 2012.

To get an idea of what Dr. Kent-Walsh does at UCF and how technology can assist individuals with Down syndrome, we have provided a portion of an interview with her about technology and communication:

Since this video / interview was done, Dr. Kent-Walsh has added iPads to the technology used at FAAST and in her teaching. The Foundation is very excited to be working with her and her graduate students not only for the benefit of the individuals who will receive an iPad to help them communicate, but also because this is allowing future speech and language professionals the ability to work with and learn the capabilities of individuals with Down syndrome. We believe this to be a win-win-win situation for the university students, the community as a whole and the individuals with Down syndrome we serve.

If you are interested in learning more about this partnership or would like to become a sponsor of this unique program in the state of Florida, please contact Christine.Bancalari@dsfflorida.org. We look forward to bringing you many success stories from our iCan Communicate partnership with UCF.

iCan Communicate Application

We are accepting the second round of applications for an iPad and to participate in the iCan Communicate Program until February 7, 2012. You will be contacted by The Foundation if you are selected as a participant by February 10, 2012. At that time all information related to the program such as intake forms and training / evaluation dates will be provided. Participants must be able to travel to UCF at least 4 times between February 10 and April 15, 2012 (travel will not be provided or paid for by The Foundation or UCF). Participants must be OVER THE AGE OF 6, have less than 100 words in their spoken vocabulary and demonstrate ability to learn the technology to qualify for the program. We must also have permission to contact your current Speech / Language therapist.

Information about individual making the nomination:
First Name: *
Last Name: *
Address Street 1: *
Address Street 2:
City: *
State: *
Zip Code: *
Daytime Phone: *
Evening Phone:
Email: *
What county do you live in?: *
Information about the participant:
Participant name: *
Contact information for participant (if different from above, please include email address, day time phone number and best place to reach them during the day):
Age of participant: *
Approximate number of spoken words used by participant: *
Does the participant currently have speech / language therapy services: *
If not, please provide the name of a physician who will send a referral to participate in the program:
Name of Speech Therapist / Provider:
Address of Provider: *
Phone number for Provider: *
email address of provider: *
How long has the participant been treated by the provider?: *
Tell us why this person wants / needs and iPad and the iCan Communicate program. Please include ways the technology will be used and how the individual is currently communicating in everyday life.
	I need an iPad and the application
	I ONLY need the application and the training (no iPad)
	I understand to be selected for this program the Speech Therapist or Medical Provider listed must provide a written referral to The Foundation that outlines the reason this program would be beneficial to the participant and agree to talk with the therapist who will be working with my child.
	I understand that to be selected and receive an iPad I must be able to travel to UCF for the program evaluation and training dates and provide my own transportation.
	The application / participant is a resident of Florida
	Member of The Foundation
Security Code: *

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Impacting lives, changing the community!