Awards

2006

Education Innovation Award – Innovation in learning facilitation

On the 3rd of October 2006 The Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAAC) received an Education Innovation Laureate Award from the University of Pretoria, for the Fofa Project.

2004

Excellence in Innovation and Sustainability: Social

On the 31 August 2004, the Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAAC) received an award for: Excellence in Innovation and Sustainability: Social at the 2004 Innovation Award Ceremony incorporating the T-systems: Age of Innovation and sustainability awards (AIS) and the Standard Bank CPSI Public Sector Innovation Awards.

We are most grateful for this recognition and express the hope that this award will encourage many more potential users of augmentative and alternative communication and their families to come forward and assist the CAAC and Interface, South Africa in working towards “communication for all” in our country.

2003

NSTF AWARDS: Best Corporate over the past ten years

The Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAAC) received the award for the best corporate over the past ten years at an award function of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF). To those who continue to support us in our work: THANK YOU!!!

As the only training facility of its kind in Africa, the CAAC provides support to individuals who cannot talk and their families, teachers and therapists. The focus is on the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) strategies to supplement the existing communication efforts of these individuals to enable them to participate more independently in society. This award is most significant – not only for those associated with the CAAC and its unique training and research focus that specializes in dealing with severe disabilities, but for the broader disability community in Africa.

Vocational Service Recognition award

Prof Erna Alant received a vocational service recognition award from the Rotary Club of Pretoria (Hatfield branch) for exemplifying Rotary standards in the workplace with reference to employing people with disabilities.

2002

Shirley McNaughton Award

Shirley McNaughton Award for Exemplary Communication throughout the AAC community and beyond. During the ISAAC conference in Denmark the Centre for AAC was awarded the prestigious Shirley McNaughton Award. The CAAC also received an award for Education Innovation (Laureates) from the Department of Telematics and Innovation, University of Pretoria.

1999

Innovative Teaching award

The CAAC received an award for Innovative Teaching from the University of Pretoria for breaking new ground in distance education.

1998

Rolex Award for Enterprise

The CAAC won a Rolex Award for Enterprise for the project "Communication for Life" which aimed at training teachers and children in rural areas to facilitate communication in children with complex communication needs. It is awarded by the Rolex watch company of Geneva, Switzerland which provides financial assistance to men and women seeking to break new ground in areas that advance human knowledge and well being. The Rolex awards recognise pioneering concepts and innovative ideas by giving individuals the means to achieve important objectives.

1995

The CAAC was awarded the "Education Africa Presidential Award for special needs" for their contribution to training parents and teachers in the use of AAC strategies in South Africa.