Galilee Damiao lead teacher and co founder and Executive director of SEEN Foundation, Owner of Accessible Expression Therapies and AIM/Apraxia Integration Method developer. Galilee has has worked as an Occupational Therapist with nonspeakers for the past 25 years and witnessed first-hand how life-changing text-based assistive technology typing for communication can be. Over the years, she studied with typing “masters” from around the world and her background as an OT has been essential for understanding the motor and sensory challenges that nonspeakers face when learning to type. Today, Galilee gets to witness remarkable stories of triumph through this work.
"That is what I want for every OT: to have the tools to allow nonspeakers to show their amazing strengths and participate in daily life, AIM provides that. " Galilee says. "The AIM Program focuses on self-expression across all areas of occupation in a comprehensive framework for best practice that I wish had existed when I was a new practitioner."
Importantly, individuals who use text-based Assistive Technology have always served as teachers within the AIM Program, anchoring the method in lived experience. Our hope is that this approach can help bridge longstanding gaps and expand much needed inclusive access for these individuals.
