Assistive Technology

The Sunny Hill Assistive Technology team is made up of  specialists, including:

• Speech-language pathologists
• Occupational therapists
• Educators
• Rehabilitation engineers, who provide services and support for children and youth with assistive technology needs such as eye gaze and voice output devices

Difficulty speaking and writing can be due to disabilities such as cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and autism, among others. 

We provide assistive technology consultation services across BC and Yukon for children up to 19 years of age who are not actively being seen by another assistive technology specialist team (e.g. school-based augmentative and alternative (AAC) specialist speech language pathologists, SET-BC, private practice assistive technology/AAC specialists).

We assess children and youth to determine whether assistive technology could help them. If so, solutions may include special electronic equipment. We also provide outreach services, meaning we go to home communities instead of children attending the Sunny Hill Assistive Technology Clinic in person.

Assistive technology covers a broad range of supports, modifications, strategies and equipment that maintain or improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. This includes communication supports; low-, mid- and high-tech solutions; and alternative access equipment for children and youth who have difficulty moving part of their bodies, among others.

To note: we do not provide devices for long-term or indefinite loan. Nor do we provide funding to purchase devices.

Referral information

To access our services, patients need a referral from a health-care provider. Children can be referred by their community service providers (e.g. occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, or physiotherapist) and/or a doctor (pediatrician and/or family doctor).

Please note that we do not accept referrals from board-certified behaviour analysts (BCBAs) or behaviour interventionists (BIs).

For more details on the process, you can visit the Assistive Technology Referral page.

Appointment details

Appointments usually take place at the location that works best for you and your child, such as at home, your local child development centre or school. It is helpful if community team members such as your speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, infant development consultant or teacher can attend. 

We will confirm your appointment time and location with you and your child's community team members before we book the appointment. This may be in your community at a variety of locations, via video-conferencing/telehealth, or at Sunny Hill Health Centre (for example if your child's assessment includes equipment that is difficult to take to your community). 

If your child uses any communication or assistive technology, or uses specialized seating, a wheelchair or tray, please bring these items with you to the appointment, if possible.

Contact us

Address:
4500 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC
V6H 3N1 

Phone: 604-875-2345