Parkland Society initially ran a pilot last year and received equipment on loan from the Neil Squire Foundation for a couple of months. “Due to the success of the Program, I have striven to bring this important resource to our Organization,” says Bev Lacusta. That determination is what led to financial assistance from the Special Needs Program Unit with Saskatchewan Post-Secondary Education, and the donation of equipment to run the programs from the Muttart Foundation, which provided a Dell computer, monitor, and $1,700.00 for the purpose of a DECtalk, which provides the voice for the SARAW / SAM programs. Funding has also been received for the five individuals from the Group Homes through the Family Literacy Services, Saskatchewan Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training.

With the funding and equipment in place, Parkland was able to hire SARAW / SAM instructor Patricia Switzer, a certified Rehabilitation Worker with excellent computer skills. Switzer was also the instructor for the SARAW / SAM pilot project.

Patricia explains that the SARAW / SAM program gives individuals the opportunity to improve their quality of life and increases their chances for employment in the community. “The SARAW program is made more effective when used in conjunction with a solid assessment stage and development of a comprehensive individualized lesson plan,” notes Patricia. “Many people find this computer [program] helpful, including people who are non-verbal, or have difficulties with speech. The SARAW system will read what one types, give suggestions on what topic to write about, or will read a story on a related topic. The basic alphabet can be taught using the Sounding Board portion of the program. The Sounding Board allows the individual to review the letter, the sound of the letter and also words beginning with that sound,” says Patricia.

The SARAW program loaded on a computer.
The DECtalk speech synthesiser module is on the right.