Breaking the ICEwest Conference
What is it?
ICE stands for Independence, Community and Empowerment
This is a consumer-centered conference aimed at helping people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems to develop their lives to the best of their abilities.
Who is it for?
Youth and adults who use AAC, people who support those who use AAC, and professionals in the field of AAC are welcome to attend, observe, learn and network with the wide variety of people attending the conference.
The ICEwest committee has started organizing for ICEwest 2017 and all are looking forward to the event. We hope to see you there!
Download Breaking the ICEwest 2017 Brochure (PDF)
For Information on the Ontario Breaking the ICE Conference: Breaking the ICE
Breaking the ICEwest Conference 2017
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Nikkei Centre, 6688 Southoaks Cresc, Burnaby, BC
Download ICEwest 2017 Registration Form (PDF)
**Registration Forms must be received by August 25, 2017
Grants and Scholarships at Breaking the ICE
ICEwest 2017 Travel Grant
You can apply for the ICEwest 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 to Lois Turner by August 25, 2017
Anne Warrick Breaking the ICE Conference Scholarship
ISAAC Canada is excited to announce a new scholarship acknowledging Anne Warrick's hard work, dedication, and many contributions to AAC and to ISAAC in Canada and globally. Anne devoted more than 50 years of her life to helping physically disabled children overcome speech and language difficulties. This scholarship was officially announced at the 2014 ISAAC Conference in Lisbon, Portugal during our ISAAC Canada meeting. ISAAC Canada has committed $1500 to start the scholarship fund and others are able to donate to the scholarship fund if they wish. Currently, members are able to donate to the scholarship fund when renewing their yearly ISAAC Canada memberships.
Learn if you qualify for the Anne Warrick Breaking the ICE Scholarship
Download and fill out the Anne Warrick Breaking the ICE Scholarship Application Form
** Applications must be submitted to Lois Turner by August 25, 2017.
For 2017, ISAAC Canada is sponsoring all three ICE conferences equally and therefore is not allocating money for individual travel grants.
Reflections on ICEwest 2015 Conference
ICEwest 2015 brought together 20 people who use AAC, their attendants and volunteers, to the third gathering of its kind in British Columbia. The delegates explored the theme of “Making Social Connections” via a Keynote Presentation by Glenda Watson Hyatt entitled "Putting the Social into Social Media - How to Make Connections Online & in Person" and an afternoon Town Hall session. The 2015 version of ICEwest was made event more exciting by a live connection with Breaking the ICE Conference delegates in Toronto, Ontario. This event would not have happened without the kind support of John and Dana Montalbano, Communication Assistance for Youth & Adults, March of Dimes Canada, Jan & Philip Dunn, Bridges and the ISAAC. The Committee has started organizing for ICEwest 2017 and all are looking forward to the fourth biennial event.
ICEwest Testimonials
“I want to show people that no matter their difficulties in communicating, it's worth the effort to be able to communicate your thoughts to the world.”ICEwest participant, Rand
“ICEwest was a great opportunity to make some new connections. I really liked the theme of Making Friends and Connections through using our augmentative speech devices. It was interesting to hear what others had to say about their experiences. It was fun for my friend and I to travel together to Vancouver, stay overnight in a hotel, and have a blast before the conference!” ICEwest participant, Whitney
Conference Partners
ICEwest ia a collaborative project kindly supported, organized and coordinated by Bridges Canada, CAYA (Communication and Assistance for Youth and Adults BC), Tobii Dynavox, March of Dimes Canada and people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
Thanks to our Past Sponsors