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TalkLink has run KiwiChat groups and KiwChat camps for some years now. This initiative was developed as a way to support people who are learning to use communication assistive technology tools and strategies. The aim is to create fun-filled sessions of learning and sharing, with the goal to support people who use these tools and strategies to become competent communicators. 

Traditionally, KiwiChat Groups have been held around the country at regular intervals. With the lockdown making it impossible to run KiwiChat groups for the foreseeable future we decided, with some trepidation, to run a Virtual KiwiChat group.

The first ever Virtual KiwiChat group was run on 30 April 2020, following minimal advertising through Facebook and by word-of-mouth. We had 58 participants from around the country attend, and with careful planning the outcome was a session that far exceeded our expectations. Families have embraced web-based meeting technology, making it easier to run the sessions, and the engagement and enthusiasm of the students participating in the session was remarkable.

Following are some comments from participants received shortly after the meeting concluded:

• OMG that was so amazing. It was so well presented, clear and just blew me away. My brain is fizzing with ideas. You all worked so hard. Amazing how you added so much to the story. Just brilliant. Loved every minute.
• So good to see so many people. Thank you
• XXX absolutely loved the KiwiChat zoom meeting, he is super keen to do more!! He gave it 2 thumbs up when Jessamy asked what we thought of it.
• Today's session was awesome, thank you. XXX seldom concentrates for that long! We would love to join in a session like this every week.  Will use the story and follow up activities for the next few days.
• Great presenter.  Great choice of book.  Loved the attention task, loved the dancing, motivated to make the puppets. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
• We have never met other children who use talking devices before.  Really appreciate this.
• What a great session. I loved the use of Vooks and I really benefited from seeing Jessamy use her coreboard in this teaching session. Thank you.
• Thanks for a great opportunity for XXX to use his eyegaze. He was talking with his eyegaze during the session but like most days at the moment (because he has been stuck at home for nearly 6 weeks now) he was caught up on asking to go outside, in the car or the playground. His feedback from the story was asking for us to lets go to the zoo! So a one track mind at the moment - but hopefully at a later stage he might be able to focus on something else, so we would love to do again.  He left early as getting a bit fatigued and frustrated. Thanks again, an awesome opportunity.
• Kia Ora, Thanks so much for the KiwiChat yesterday, my daughter XXX was really engaged and she got a lot out of it! I know you said that you were recording the session-is it alright if I share it with XXXs teaching team? I think they would get a lot out of it as well. You guys are awesome, thanks so much!
• XXX attended the Giraffes Can't Dance KiwiChat webinar today & absolutely loved it. I wondered if you could pass on our thanks to everyone involved? He asked if he could attend another so we are hoping this might be something that continues and definitely looking forward to the recording I think they made. It was great to have the variety of activities and provide us with more activities to do later. I'm not sure XXX’s focus was really on his talker (because he was so interested in what was going on, on the screen) but that is why it will be great to do again when he can focus a little more! And I think he really noticed others using AAC & was possibly even inspired by this! Thank you!

While these comments have inspired the TalkLink team to run further sessions, they also show that we are reaching people who do not routinely come to KiwiChat group meetings. Being able to offer a recording of the session along with further resources so that families can revisit the activities, will enhance the support we are aiming to provide. Our next KiwiChat meeting is aiming to target older students, and Virtual KiwiChat days may well continue in the future!

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