Health Sciences Projects

Individuals with severe speech-language impairments due to: autism, global developmental delays, Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) or other neurodegenerative conditions, often need an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system to compensate for their challenges with communication.

GTA-based Lingo Inc. has developed an AAC system designed to help non-verbal individuals communicate with others throughout their daily lives using a picture/written software system.

The company has partnered with Professor Peter McIntyre from Seneca’s School of Information and Communication Technology, to develop a mobile app that will allow for quick word retrieval, ease of learning and progress tracking within the individual's circle of care. Once the app is developed it will be used for clinical testing of the AAC in which the Lingo team will collect data to demonstrate the clinical utility of the product.

Funder: Centre for Aging and Brain Health Initiative at Baycrest

Neighbourlink North York was founded in 1994 in the Willowdale area of Toronto, to serve its residents. The primary motivation was the concern about the growing numbers of people, especially seniors, who were living in isolation and poverty. The NLNY mandate is to foster a support network that helps to build stronger communities and enrich the quality of life of its constituents.  In order to achieve these goals, NeighbourLink North York offers many free, short-term, non-emergency services such as: at-home services, transportation, food security support, professional services and many more. One of the recent Neighbourlink initiatives is the WeShare Housing concept.

WeShare Housing is a way to help home-owning seniors live in their homes longer by renting space to a single parent family for a reduced rate, in exchange for assistance with chores and companionship. The initiative seeks to bring seniors who need support to continue living in their homes, together with sole support mothers, who need an affordable place to live to provide companionship and practical support that is mutually beneficial.

NeighbourLink is partnering with Professor Jane Haddad from Seneca’s Leadership and Human Resources program, to conduct a preliminary research into the feasibility and success factors of the WeShare Housing idea. The findings will be used to plan and execute the pilot project.

 Funder: Seneca Applied Research Fund (ARF)