What is it?
Breaking the ICE is a consumer focussed conference for people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
The purpose of the conference is to provide individuals who use AAC an opportunity to learn from each other, create meaningful relationships in the community, and have a platform to share ideas and feelings.
The conference engages participants who are underserved in the community, with the goal of promoting Independence, Community inclusion, and Empowerment (ICE).
"There isn't a price one can put on the wisdom and advice Augmentative Communication users can give to each other."
Who is it for?
- Youth and adults who use AAC
- Friends and family of people who rely on AAC
- Parents of young people using AAC
- Teachers
- Clinicians
- Community Workers
- Students in graduate studies
All are welcome to attend, observe, learn and network with the wide variety of people attending the conference.
Goals of Breaking the ICE Conference:
- Provide a forum to discuss issues of importance to people who use AAC
- Promote awareness of AAC and the interests of people who use AAC
- Provide an opportunity for people who use AAC to network with other people of similar experiences - as a way of reducing the feelings of isolation that people who use AAC often describe
Registration:
REGISTER NOW - Registration deadline is September 15, 2017.
Visit Breaking the ICE 2017 website for more details.
Travel Grants for Breaking the ICE:
You can apply for the Breaking the ICE 2017 Travel Grant. Successful applicants will be awarded the grants at the conference and the grant amounts will be determined based on the number of applicants, monies available, and applicants’ identified financial needs.
** Applications must be submitted by September 15, 2017
The 2017 Breaking the ICE Canada conference will be the eighth biennial AAC conference held in Ontario. Due to the positive impact of this conference in past years, other provinces have launched their own, similar conferences: British Columbia held their first conference in 2013, and Alberta's first conference will be held this year. Across Canada, the three conferences will be held on October 28-29, 2017.
Sponsorship
If interested in sponsoring or donating to the 2017 Breaking the ICE Conference, please contact:
Alexis Dickson, Education and Health Promotion Coordinator
March of Dimes Canada
10 Overlea Blvd, Toronto ON M4H 1A4
416-425-3463 x 7756
View the 2017 Breaking the ICE Sponsorship Brochure (PDF)
Download the Breaking the ICE 2017 Sponsorship and Donation Form (PDF)
Thank you to our current and past Sponsors,
Conference Partners and Organizing Committees
Breaking the ICE, ICEwest and ICEalberta are collaborative projects that are kindly supported, organized and coordinated by International Society for AAC, Canadian Chapter, MICROComputer Science Center Inc., Tobii Dynavox, PACE Independent Living, Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy, Communication Assistance for Youth and Adults (CAYA), Aroga Assistive Technology, Effort Trust, Harmonize for Speech Fund, Access Independent Living Services, Quillsoft, Ontario Trillium Foundation and people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication.