About Us

CAYA is a project initiated by SET-BC to serve adults between the ages of 19-35 who require alternative or augmentative communication (AAC) assistance. Funded by the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance (MEIA), CAYA is designed to address the crucial transition period to adulthood for young people with severe communication disabilities. The goal of CAYA is to ensure that eligible individuals have access to communication tools and professional support to enable them to create an adult life to the best of their abilities.

Creating Communication Opportunities for Graduating Students

One of the initial goals of CAYA is to create a transition process for graduating high-school students using AAC. Information, procedures and relevant forms are now posted on the CAYA web-site and are being accessed by secondary school teachers and speech language pathologists (SLPs) to enroll eligible students into the CAYA project. In the coming months these individuals will receive priority attention to ensure that the past 12 years of work and energy continue to build vibrant lives based on functional communication.

Identifying CAYA Clients

Many of the individuals eligible for CAYA services have been out of the education system for years. Much of the client based activity in this initial period has been to identify these individuals from SET-BC archives, and information from health and community service providers. CAYA has created a comprehensive database referencing these individuals and their demographic information for future contact and service.

Creating a Service Network

CAYA has contracted SLPs and SLP assistants to provide service on Vancouver Island, in Greater Vancouver, the Okanagan, and the North. Our website www.cayabc.org provides the public with an overview of CAYA as well as access to forms for services and information on new developments.

Delivering Services

Service delivery has been organized into service delivery cycles. We are continuing to explore innovative and collaborative approaches to ensure the best quality service to our clientele.

CAYA will accept requests for service for individuals 28-35 years immediately but we cannot begin serving this group until the first 08-09 cycle in September 2008. The delay reflects the need for CAYA to increase services to address a greater number of people. Individuals with disastrous degenerative conditions where time is of the essence are the exception - they will be seen as soon as possible. We thank you for your patience.