title: Increasing functional communication for individuals with an intellectual disability using picture exchange communication system in a disability residential setting

authors: Svensson, Melissa

abstract: Individuals who are diagnosed with a developmental disorder may find it difficult to communicate functionally, which limits their ability to have their needs met and their thoughts respected. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) interventions such as, the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) aim to provide a way for individuals with functional communication deficits to communicate their needs. A small number of studies have explored whether direct caregivers can be trained to implement PECS for adult clients with a developmental delay, who reside in a disability residential flat. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of Behavioural Skills Training (BST), delivered remotely, for training support staff to implement PECS in a disability residential setting. The effect of PECS on functional communication for the client is also evaluated. Staff participants took part in training sessions using BST procedures. Once staff participants had achieved 80% accuracy during training, PECS implementation sessions began with the staff and client participants.  Training and implementation sessions were delivered remotely, via video conferencing software. The results of this research indicate that direct caregivers can be trained to implement PECS in a disability residential flat, with all staff participants maintaining a high level of accuracy throughout training and implementation. Training and implementation data showed increased functional communication acts for the client participant as he learned to use PECS to mand for items and activities. However, this change was not reflected in the data gained at generalisation and follow-up sessions. In conclusion, this research provides evidence to support BST as an effective practice for training caregivers to implement PECS in a disability residential setting. Further, PECS may also be an effective intervention for increasing functional communication for individuals with a developmental delay and communication deficits.

text: Increasing functional communication for individuals with an intellectual disability using picture exchange communication system in a disability residential setting Individuals who are diagnosed with a developmental disorder may find it difficult to communicate functionally, which limits their ability to have their needs met and their thoughts respected. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) interventions such as, the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) aim to provide a way for individuals with functional communication deficits to communicate their needs. A small number of studies have explored whether direct caregivers can be trained to implement PECS for adult clients with a developmental delay, who reside in a disability residential flat. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of Behavioural Skills Training (BST), delivered remotely, for training support staff to implement PECS in a disability residential setting. The effect of PECS on functional communication for the client is also evaluated. Staff participants took part in training sessions using BST procedures. Once staff participants had achieved 80% accuracy during training, PECS implementation sessions began with the staff and client participants.  Training and implementation sessions were delivered remotely, via video conferencing software. The results of this research indicate that direct caregivers can be trained to implement PECS in a disability residential flat, with all staff participants maintaining a high level of accuracy throughout training and implementation. Training and implementation data showed increased functional communication acts for the client participant as he learned to use PECS to mand for items and activities. However, this change was not reflected in the data gained at generalisation and follow-up sessions. In conclusion, this research provides evidence to support BST as an effective practice for training caregivers to implement PECS in a disability residential setting. Further, PECS may also be an effective intervention for increasing functional communication for individuals with a developmental delay and communication deficits.

year: 2022

title: Analysis and design aspects of a series power semiconductor array with digital waveform control capability for single phase ac voltage regulators and other applications

authors: Jindasa, Chandani

subjects: Power Conditioners,

abstract: A series connected power semiconductor array, with digital control capability could be used for developing single phase AC regulators or other applications such as AC electronic loads. This technique together with an ordinary gapless transformer could be used to develop a low cost AC voltage regulator (AVR) to provide better or comparable specifications with bulky ferro-resonant AVR types. One primary advantage of the technique is that digital control can be used to minimize harmonics. Commencing with a review of AC voltage regulator techniques for single phase power conditioning systems, an analysis and design aspects of this technique is presented with experimental results for AVRs. Guidelines on how to utilize the technique in a generalized basis is also summarized together with a summary of a technique for achieving harmonic control.

text: Analysis and design aspects of a series power semiconductor array with digital waveform control capability for single phase ac voltage regulators and other applications A series connected power semiconductor array, with digital control capability could be used for developing single phase AC regulators or other applications such as AC electronic loads. This technique together with an ordinary gapless transformer could be used to develop a low cost AC voltage regulator (AVR) to provide better or comparable specifications with bulky ferro-resonant AVR types. One primary advantage of the technique is that digital control can be used to minimize harmonics. Commencing with a review of AC voltage regulator techniques for single phase power conditioning systems, an analysis and design aspects of this technique is presented with experimental results for AVRs. Guidelines on how to utilize the technique in a generalized basis is also summarized together with a summary of a technique for achieving harmonic control.

year: 2011

title: Manaakitia te paharakeke: an insight into the daily operational challenges facing Te Whakaruruhau

authors: Kurei, Anna

subjects: Women's refuge

abstract: This report is based on participant observations of the daily operations at Te Whakaruruhau, Hamilton. The observations represent the fieldwork element of an undergraduate paper contributing to the co-author, Anna Kurei’s Bachelor’s degree at the University of Waikato. Anna’s participation and observations over several weeks included attending meetings, shadowing Advocates, contributing (as appropriate) to operations and observing interactions between Advocates and the women in living in the service’s residential housing. 
Founded by Ruahine Albert and Ariana Simpson in 1986, Te Whakaruruhau Incorporated (Waikato women's refuge) was the first Māori women's refuge in Aotearoa. Since its inception, Te Whakaruruhau has been a Kaupapa driven service, with Māori cultural practices consciously employed throughout all its operations. Māori tikanga is fluid and adaptable by nature and can therefore meet the needs of people from multiple cultures and backgrounds. The current service has grown from humble beginnings in a four-bedroom state owned house providing emergency housing, to now include a twenty-four-hour crisis service, residential housing and a broadened community outreach programme. Staff numbers have increased from 7 to 36 paid staff and the twenty-fourhour crisis service has allowed the refuge to provide services for high risk cases that would otherwise be turned away. 
Funding is critical to the successful operation of the service. The refuge provides wrap-around services to meet clients’ needs and help them navigate through a maze of government and community services. The needs of women and families who have lived with domestic violence are deep-seated and complex. Achieving a stable, healthy, independent life is frequently a long-term process. Funding however, is not only limited, but is tied to expectations of achieving successful outcomes in the short-term. It was quickly evident during the fieldwork that Te Whakaruruhau is desperately under-resourced. In the year to June 2015 the Refuge provided services for 6575 cases, but had contracted funds for less than 1600. The consequences of such starkly inadequate resources are dire – for both clients and staff.
Advocates (case workers) are frequently exhausted as they try to assist women and children with high and complex needs with very little resources on a highly restricted budget. Many times, workers were observed relegating their own interests (including their own health and safety) in order to meet the demands and needs of their clients. Similarly, the successful rehabilitation of clients is jeopardised by restricted options, insufficient capacity in the system and at times even the simplest of requirements such as transport to essential services. We know that when women and children become free of violence they have better health, employment and education outcomes. These outcomes benefit not only themselves but their communities and the wider social and economic landscape. Higher levels of funding - with a longer term focus- would therefore ultimately reduce the costs of domestic violence overall. Further to this, Kaupapa-based services at Te Whakaruruhau offer a culturally meaningful response to the high representation of Maori women seeking assistance. Its success in the face of such high levels of under-resourcing suggests that expectations around funding also need to be altered.

text: Manaakitia te paharakeke: an insight into the daily operational challenges facing Te Whakaruruhau This report is based on participant observations of the daily operations at Te Whakaruruhau, Hamilton. The observations represent the fieldwork element of an undergraduate paper contributing to the co-author, Anna Kurei’s Bachelor’s degree at the University of Waikato. Anna’s participation and observations over several weeks included attending meetings, shadowing Advocates, contributing (as appropriate) to operations and observing interactions between Advocates and the women in living in the service’s residential housing. 
Founded by Ruahine Albert and Ariana Simpson in 1986, Te Whakaruruhau Incorporated (Waikato women's refuge) was the first Māori women's refuge in Aotearoa. Since its inception, Te Whakaruruhau has been a Kaupapa driven service, with Māori cultural practices consciously employed throughout all its operations. Māori tikanga is fluid and adaptable by nature and can therefore meet the needs of people from multiple cultures and backgrounds. The current service has grown from humble beginnings in a four-bedroom state owned house providing emergency housing, to now include a twenty-four-hour crisis service, residential housing and a broadened community outreach programme. Staff numbers have increased from 7 to 36 paid staff and the twenty-fourhour crisis service has allowed the refuge to provide services for high risk cases that would otherwise be turned away. 
Funding is critical to the successful operation of the service. The refuge provides wrap-around services to meet clients’ needs and help them navigate through a maze of government and community services. The needs of women and families who have lived with domestic violence are deep-seated and complex. Achieving a stable, healthy, independent life is frequently a long-term process. Funding however, is not only limited, but is tied to expectations of achieving successful outcomes in the short-term. It was quickly evident during the fieldwork that Te Whakaruruhau is desperately under-resourced. In the year to June 2015 the Refuge provided services for 6575 cases, but had contracted funds for less than 1600. The consequences of such starkly inadequate resources are dire – for both clients and staff.
Advocates (case workers) are frequently exhausted as they try to assist women and children with high and complex needs with very little resources on a highly restricted budget. Many times, workers were observed relegating their own interests (including their own health and safety) in order to meet the demands and needs of their clients. Similarly, the successful rehabilitation of clients is jeopardised by restricted options, insufficient capacity in the system and at times even the simplest of requirements such as transport to essential services. We know that when women and children become free of violence they have better health, employment and education outcomes. These outcomes benefit not only themselves but their communities and the wider social and economic landscape. Higher levels of funding - with a longer term focus- would therefore ultimately reduce the costs of domestic violence overall. Further to this, Kaupapa-based services at Te Whakaruruhau offer a culturally meaningful response to the high representation of Maori women seeking assistance. Its success in the face of such high levels of under-resourcing suggests that expectations around funding also need to be altered.

year: 2016