Training

We recognise the value of face-to-face training, and so we offer training in a number of different ways to ensure we can help you get started as quickly and easily as possible. 

We adapt our training sessions to suit you.  Generally speaking, we have three different ways in which we offer training.

On site training

We can come and visit you at your home, school or office.  If you have many parties involved in supporting a communication aid (such as speech therapists, teachers, parents, carers, etc) it makes more sense for us to visit you.  We try to organise several training/demonstration visits in one area at a time to minimise travel expenses.

Training at Smartbox

We have space for training at our offices, so if you would prefer to visit us then please do so.  Our space is slightly limited, so this is more suitable for smaller groups - but if there are many of you it makes sense for us to visit you!  We do not charge when you visit us for training.

Training workshops

We run training workshops around the country for up to 20 people.  See which dates are coming up near you on the Training Workshops page.

Flexibility

The focus of the training is dictated by your needs.  If you are supporting a communication aid user then we'll focus on the things that are relevant to them.  We can also provide more general training for supporting many users, and this is the approach we usually take at our workshops.  Here are a few of the topics we commonly spend time on: 

• Getting to know your communication aid
• Introducing the knobs and switches
• Charging and maintenance
• Getting the most from your access method
• Touchscreen options
• Switch scanning patterns
• Eye gaze calibration
• Familiarisation with the communication system
• Adding new vocabulary
• Creating new pages
• Using photos and music
• Changing speech and apperance settings
• Email and SMS configuration
• Communication aids in school
• Educational resources
• Using the communication aid in lessons
• Access to the school network
• Computer control
• Moving the mouse pointer
• Using on screen keyboards
• Making computer control grids
• Environment control
• Controlling your TVs, DVD or music player
• Training from your remote
• Making environment control grids
• Backups and collaboration
• How to save your setup
• Sharing resources with other people
• Working on more than one computer