AIISH – All India Institute for Speech and Hearing
Mysore, India
Following a July 2017 visit to AIISH, a new Nika Project during COVID-19 in August 2020 entailed shipping AAC devices along with wheelchair mounting systems to AIISH, followed up by remote Zoom trainings with AIISH staff in October 2020 and February 2021.
AAC products shipped included Tobi Dynavox I-12 with eyegaze, Prentke Romich Company ECO-2 with ECOPoint eyegaze, Saltillo NovaChat 7 and NovaChat 10, and a red AbleNet Jellybean switch.
Autism Ashram
Hyderabad, India
In September, 2020, Nika shipped a Saltillo NovaChat 7 and NovaChat 10, along with AbleNet Little Step-by-Step Communicator and Big Step-by-Step Communicator. This was followed up by remote Zoom training with facility staff in October, 2020.
Disha Special School
Vadodara, India
In September, 2020, Nika shipped a Saltillo NovaChat 7 and NovaChat 10, along with AbleNet Little Step-by-Step Communicator and Big Step-by-Step Communicator, along with two wheelchair mounting systems. This was followed up by two remote Zoom trainings with facility staff in November, 2020.
Moms Belief at Vatsalya Education and Cultural Society
New Delhi, India
In November, 2020 Nika shipped a Saltillo NovaChat 7 and NovaChat 10, a Tobii Dynavox I-12 with eyegaze, and an AbleNet blue Spec switch. This was followed up by a shipment of two wheelchair mounting systems in January 2021; and subsequently by remote Zoom trainings in February and March 2021.
Individual person with ALS in Gurgaon, India
In March 2022, two Tobii Dynavox I-15 with eyegaze devices along with a foot switch and two mounting systems; one for the bed and another for a wheelchair. This project was undertaken in cooperation with Bridging Voice (https://bridgingvoice.org), a non-profit organization assisting people with neurodegenerative diseases. A remote Zoom training was conducted with the family of the user in April 2022.
University of Kelaniya
Medical School – Assistive Technology Center
In December of 2020, Nika shipped to a new AAC-AT Center established at the University of Kelaniya: a Dynavox Vmax EyeMax; AbleNet Little Step-by-Step Communicator and Big Step-by-Step Communicator; several ChesterCreek large-key keyboards; and an AbleWare Headpointer. Training by Nika staff was not necessary here because the head of the new assistive technology center was an experienced SLP with a PhD earned at Penn State University with a concentration in AAC and AT.
The Poui Tree Clinic
Trinidad Tobago
In November 2020, Nika shipped two Prentlke Romich Accent 1200 units, two Saltillo Nova Chat 8 devices, two AbleNet Little Step-by-Step Communicators and one AbleNet red Buddy button. A remote Zoom training was also performed in November, 2020.
Individual in Dubai, UAE
In March 2021, Nika shipped to a young boy’s family in UAE an AbleNet iTalk-2 and a Saltillo NovaChat 8. This boy was a client of AIISH in Mysore, India when he and his family lived there. Three remote Zoom trainings were conducted in March, as well, to support the user and family. These trainings were also attended by AIISH staff.
UC Camp Clinic for Therapy Services
College of Allied Medical Professions
University of the Philippines - Manila
In March 2021, Nika shipped two Prentke Romich Accent 1200 units, two Saltillo NovaChat 8 devices and four access switches (yellow spec; yellow Big Red; Red Buddy Button; Blue Jellybean). No remote training was needed here.
Individual person with ALS in Jamaica
In February, 2022 Nika shipped to a person with ALS in Jamaica, a Tobii Dynavox I-110, and an I-15 with eyegaze; yellow spec switch, wireless mouse, multi-port adapter; and Rehadapt Rolling Mount System. Remote trainings with eyegaze had been previously performed with a Tobii PCEye, and coordinated with Miroslav Vranikic, founder and CEO of E-GLAS, a university-based startup company in Croatia. He is also a professor at the University of Rijeka, Faculty of Engineering. Trainings are continuing as this person receives much support from a local church organization.
Support of two students from USA: one now in Guatemala; the other now in Honduras
In April 2022, Nika shipped to two USA-based SLPs:
- NovaChat Fusion for a former USA student who moved to Guatemala: and
- NovChat 10X and a Tobii Dynavox I-12 with eyegaze, along with a black Buddy Button switch for a former USA student who moved to Honduras
The SLPs are providing the needed trainings.