Last week, TechOWL, a project of the Institute on Disabilities (IOD) at Temple University, hosted seven participants for its Augmentative Communication Empowerment and Supports (ACES), a week-long program for young adult users of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
“ACES is a comprehensive experience for adults with disabilities to live and learn on a college campus while working on communication device goals,” said Cassandra Calia, an AAC services coordinator at the IOD.
“Every participant has a communication goal in mind, and we support them in that goal as they make friends, build networks, and create community.”
The program, founded in 1990 and held once every two years, offered participants and caregivers daily communication classes, adaptive recreation activities, and inclusive, accessible outings in Morgan and Ritter Halls, as well as the TechOWL Community Space.
“Serves an unmet need for people with various degrees of disability”
“ACES is unique, and we wish that we had come sooner,” said Neil, the parent of Sean, one of the participants in this year’s ACES program. “The program serves an unmet need for people with various degrees of disability to come for a week’s worth of programming on communication, advocacy, legal processes, and so much more.”
The daily communication classes were especially important, as participants practiced using their devices to express likes or dislikes, personal boundaries, or adding new words to their devices for their everyday lives.
Photo above: Ruby, a participant in ACES 2025, uses her communication device during a communication class.
Their extracurricular activities, which included adapted baking, yoga, art therapy, and a dance class, were also highlights of the program.
Many of the participants saw real growth throughout the week, as they practiced their communication skills, tried out new assistive tools, and became more comfortable interacting with staff, volunteers, and other participants.
“Some of the participants were musically inclined, some of them loved to express themselves on paper, and others loved to chat,” said Ari, a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania who volunteered to help with the ACES program.
“A few were open from the start, and others warmed up to us, little by little. Our participants had a lot of different communication styles and personalities, but they all grew to embrace ACES.”
The week’s events culminated in a celebration on Friday, July 25, as IOD staff, participants, and their caregivers came together to celebrate participants’ accomplishments. A few staff members from the IOD spoke, ACES graduates received certificates, and one participant, RJ, performed the song “Memories” from the musical “Cats.”
Photo above: ACES participant RJ performs “Memories” at the July 25 closing celebration
A Way for Caregivers to Connect
While the participants were the focus of the program, according to Hali Strickler, an AAC services coordinator at the Institute on Disabilities, their caregivers also gained important experiences and connections from the program.
“ACES is an important way for caregivers to connect with each other,” said Hali Strickler, an AAC services coordinator at the Institute on Disabilities. “They come together, network, and share their tips, tricks, and more information about how to navigate the support world a little more successfully.”
Participants, caregivers, and staff pose for a photo at the ACES Celebration on Friday, July 25. Back row, L-R: Eli, Cassie, Hali, Cindy, Caroline, Michelle, Monique, Elizabeth, Lisa, Jennifer, Neil, Inna, Julia. Front row, L-R: Ari, Meng, Matt, Alyssa, Sean, Princesa, Jenn
Learn More and Contribute
As a biannual program, ACES is next planned for summer 2027. You can learn more about ACES by visiting their website, and you can contribute to the program by visiting our fundraising webpage and typing “Friends of ACES” in the “Other” field.
TechOWL, which stands for Technology for Our Whole Lives, is Pennsylvania’s designated Assistive Technology Act program. It is part of the Institute on Disabilities, Pennsylvania’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD), at Temple University.