Breaking Barriers: WE CARE Camp Helps Kids with Communication Limits through STEM-Themed Activities

Two professors from the U of A College of Education and Health Professions have established a research lab to improve the lives of individuals with communication limitations. Through their WE CARE program, they are organizing a free camp for children this summer. The camp is designed for children between the ages of 4 and 10 who use or are potential users of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices.

The camp will run on campus from July 8-26, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Children of all levels of experience with AAC devices are welcome to participate in the camp. AAC devices allow individuals with limited speech to communicate by selecting images or words on a tablet, enhancing interactions with family, friends, and others in educational and social settings.

During the camp, children will engage in STEM-themed activities and will be paired with peers who do not use AAC devices. Families are encouraged to enroll their children for all three weeks, but a commitment to at least two weeks is required. The camp will be staffed by students from various programs within the college, including teacher education, communication disorders, and occupational therapy.

The camp facilitators, Elizabeth Lorah and Christine Holyfield, are professors at the U of A specializing in special education and communication sciences and disorders, respectively. They have established the Augmentative and Alternative Communication research lab at the university, which focuses on developing and assessing instructional techniques and technologies for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

For more information about the camp or to apply