In this lesson you will learn how to find information that you or the people you are supporting may need about funding, attendant services or jobs.

• Answer the question yourself if you are sure that you know the answer
• Send the person to someone else who knows the answer
• Know how to use the Internet to help someone find the answer

Depending on the question, you need to determine which option is appropriate:

• Answering the question yourself
• Sending the person to someone else who knows
• Knowing how to use the Internet to find an answer

Let's look at when you might use each of these...

Answer the question yourself, if you know that the information you are giving is:

• Accurate
• Complete
• Up-to-date

If you have any doubts, you should help the person find the answer somewhere else.

As a former attendee at this conference the leader knows they can give an answer is:

If you are not sure that you know the correct answer you should send the person to someone else.

This is especially important if you think the person needs professional services.

Always suggest that the person contact a professional if you think there is:

• An unhealthy relationship
• A safety concern
• Need for AAC, seating and therapy services
• Need for counseling or social worker

• Teachers
• AAC clinics
• Social workers
• Assistive technology vendors
• Independent living centres
• Electronic aids to daily living (EADL) clinics
• Seating clinics

• Think carefully about the kind of information that the person requires before you send them to someone else
• For example, if the person has questions about his or her AAC system the AAC clinic may be able to provide the information
• When possible, suggest the person connect with people who are already providing them with services

In this situation, Cindy doesn't know the answer to the question but has ideas on where the person can get assistance. So, she suggests:

• Checking the manual for the device
• Asking the clinician that prescribed the software
• Calling customer service for the device

• Emma knows that this is a serious problem
• Emma's role is NOT to provide counseling or advice but to give Jen information on where she can get help

• In this example, Emma knows that she is not qualified to provide support in this situation.
• She searched the internet for services and legal supports for abused women in Jen's area.

So far, we have talked about:

• Answering the question yourself ✓
• Sending the person to someone who knows ✓

Now, let's look at:

• Knowing how to use the internet

The Internet gives you access to a huge amount of information.

There are two main ways of using the Internet to get information.

• Connecting with others who use AAC
• Finding information on the World Wide Web (WWW)

ACOLUG

• ACOLUG stands for "Augmentative Communication On-Line Users Group"
• It is a LISTSERV, an email discussion group. People who use AAC exchange ideas, information and experiences. Most of the users are American
• Click here to find out about Acolug

CDAC Facebook

• In Canada, you can start up discussions on the CDAC Facebook page
• Click here to visit the Facebook page

Other Facebook Pages

• ISAAC Canada facebook page
• Breaking the ICE facebook page

The Internet is an electronic library of information that you can access from your computer at any time.

• It is very important to check to make sure the information is correct
• If you are at a website for the government or an established agency, you can usually be fairly sure that the information provided is correct
• If you are at someone's personal webpage you will need to decide if this person is knowledgeable or not

Use your search engine to find information on the Internet.

• Type the name of the thing, place, concept or service you are looking for
• Add other words if you don't see what you want
• Try words that might be used on the website you are looking for
• Use only important words not full sentences
• Click here to find out more

Take the time to find out about services in your area. For example, services relating to:

• Augmentative Communication
• Speech Language Pathology
• Rehabilitation
• Independent Living Centre
• Social work services
• Attendant or personal support services
• Seating and assistive devices

• Disability support / advocacy
• Legal and human rights services
• Shelters
• Emergency services
• Healthcare services
• Counseling services