OARC
OARC is a Winnipeg-based registered Canadian charity that lends AAC-enabled iPads, keyguards, and clinical resources to Manitoban children and non-speaking individuals, funded primarily by the Manitoba and federal governments, foundations, and workshop fees.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersWinnipeg, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What OARC does
OARC (Open Access Resource Centre) is a registered Canadian charity and non-profit based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, that provides augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, assessment, and resources to Manitobans — primarily children and non-speaking individuals — who require alternative communication supports. Its core offering is the short- and long-term loan of iPads preloaded with third-party consumer AAC applications (notably Proloquo2Go, TD Snap, and TouchChat), supplemented by keyguards (including 3D-printed units produced with Makers Making Change at $25 each), playground communication boards, and an internal AAC resource library. Operational delivery is carried out by a small team of registered Speech-Language Pathologists and, as of August 2025, an Occupational Therapist, working within an application-based service model.
The organization funds its operations through a mix of provincial operational funding from the Government of Manitoba's Department of Families, federal Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) reimbursements for First Nations and Inuit children, charitable donations and grants from foundations, and modest fee-for-service revenue from workshops at $150 per hour and keyguard sales. Community-facing programs include the annual AAC Conference (next scheduled for March 23, 2026), Camp yAAC (expanded to two summer sessions in 2026), and family/clinical training workshops. OARC has no venture capital, private equity, or parent-company ownership; governance rests with a volunteer Board of Directors, and executive leadership transitioned in January 2023 with Mary-Alex Willer succeeding retiring Executive Director Lori Wiebe. Service scope remains confined to the province of Manitoba.
OARC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OARC
- Legal name
- Open Access Resource Centre
- Website
- https://oarc.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- OARC is a Winnipeg-based registered Canadian charity that lends AAC-enabled iPads, keyguards, and clinical resources to Manitoban children and non-speaking individuals, funded primarily by the Manitoba and federal governments, foundations, and workshop fees.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OARC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Services
- NAICS
- Professional Organizations (81392), Computer Training (611420)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) Devices, Apps & Training (EDAKAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services (EDAJAKAF), AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) & Speech/Language Therapy Tech (EDAFAKAB), Assistive Technology & AAC for Young Children (EDACAFAL), Autism Communication Support (AAC, Pragmatics & Language) (EDAKAKAG)
Keywords
Where OARC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Winnipeg
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
OARC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: OARC is a non-profit organization that relies on donations from corporations, foundations, and individuals to provide children with communication devices, operate Camp yAAC, and maintain services. They receive operational support from the Government of Manitoba - Department of Families.
- Charitable Registration: Registered Canadian charity (BN: 888182334RR0001) that receives foundation and corporate grants.
- Workshop Fees: OARC offers customized workshops at $150/hour for training on AAC use, with groups only charged for workshop time. Length and format adaptable to client needs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Workshop Training Rate |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Keyguard Manufacturing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
OARC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OARC provides long-term iPad-based speech-generating AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices configured with specialized apps such as Proloquo2Go, TD Snap, and TouchChat to children with communication challenges or who are non-speaking in Manitoba. Devices are managed remotely via a Mobile Device Management (MDM) platform, supported by a short-term equipment lending library for assessment, customized accessories (keyguards, stylus grips), and printable core boards. The organization also delivers training workshops, an annual AAC conference, Camp yAAC, and community-installed playground communication boards.
Product overview
OARC operates as a non-profit organization providing a unified system of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) support centered on speech-generating communication devices for children with communication challenges. The core product is iPad-based communication devices equipped with specialized AAC apps (primarily Proloquo2Go, TD Snap, and TouchChat), which OARC configures, manages via Mobile Device Management, and supports long-term. This is supported by complementary services including short-term equipment loans for assessment and trials, workshops and training for families and professionals, and community programs like Camp yAAC (annual overnight camp), the annual AAC conference, and Playground Communication Boards that extend AAC accessibility into outdoor and community settings. OARC also provides printable resources including core boards for different AAC apps and 3D-printed keyguards through a partnership with Makers Making Change.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Long-Term AAC Device Provision (iPad-based Speech-Generating Systems) Long-term loan/provision of an iPad-based speech-generating AAC device configured with specialized communication apps (Proloquo2Go, TD Snap, TouchChat) for children with communication challenges or who are non-speaking in Manitoba. Devices are managed remotely via MDM and accompanied by clinical support.
- Short-Term Equipment Lending Library Short-term loan of AAC devices for assessment purposes, enabling Speech-Language Pathologists and other clinicians to trial devices with a child before committing to a long-term device.
- Workshops and Training Training workshops for families, Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and educators on AAC implementation, device use, and best practices. Priced at $150/hour, offered on-site and virtually.
- Camp yAAC Annual summer camp program for children who use AAC, providing a community environment where non-speaking children and their families can connect. Located in partnership with Camp Manitou.
- Annual AAC Conference Annual conference convening AAC users, families, and clinicians to share knowledge, network, and advance AAC practice in Manitoba.
- Playground Communication Boards Communication boards installed in public playgrounds and parks to enable non-speaking children to communicate during outdoor play, extending AAC access beyond individual devices.
- Customized Keyguards and Stylus Hand Grips 3D-printed customized keyguards and stylus hand grips tailored to individual user physical-access needs, priced at $25 per keyguard unit.
- Printable Core Boards and AAC Resources Printable core boards and AAC resources used by families, schools, and clinicians to support low-tech communication and AAC learning.
Quantifiable outcome
- Average response rate for a child to begin using AAC is 12-18 months
Companies that use OARC
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
OARC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature3 records
OARC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered moderate and core.
- Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba (CPMB)moderatePartner organization supporting individuals with cerebral palsy, aligned with OARC's mission to support communication accessibility.
- Makers Making ChangemoderatePartnership to provide 3D-printed keyguards in-house for $25, helping individuals with motor or vision difficulties access communication devices.
- Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)coreFederal program providing funding for AAC equipment for eligible First Nations and Inuit children who are NIHB-eligible clients.
- Camp ManitoumoderateCamp facility in Headingley, Manitoba hosting Camp yAAC sessions for AAC users each summer.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
OARC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- AbleNet: Provider of AAC and assistive technology solutions including switches, speech devices, and learning tools. Overlaps with OARC's switch access and equipment loan programs, particularly in the school-age communication support market.
- The Center for AAC and Autism: Specialized AAC provider focused on autism communication support, offering training and consultations. Operates in a similar intersection of AAC devices and clinical training services as OARC, but with a narrower clinical focus.
Direct peers
- AssistiveWare: Developer of Proloquo2Go, Proloquo4Text, and Proloquo — the leading iPad-based AAC apps. OARC deploys Proloquo2Go extensively, making AssistiveWare a core platform peer in the AAC software layer.
- PRC-Saltillo: Manufacturer of AAC devices and the TouchChat app, which OARC supports and deploys. PRC-Saltillo operates in the same AAC device and app ecosystem, with overlapping customer base (children with communication challenges, SLPs, schools).
- Tobii Dynavox: Global leader in AAC hardware and software (TD Snap, TD I-13/I-16 devices, Boardmaker). OARC directly deploys Tobii Dynavox's TD Snap on its iPads and creates core boards for this platform, making it a primary vendor and adjacent peer in AAC device service delivery.
Others
- Makers Making Change: Non-profit that connects volunteer makers with people who need assistive devices. OARC partners with Makers Making Change to 3D-print keyguards, making it both a partner and an enabling ecosystem peer in the assistive technology space.
- Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba (CPAM): Manitoba-based non-profit serving individuals with cerebral palsy. OARC has a formal partnership with CPAM, and they share overlapping client populations and Manitoban advocacy networks, making them a local ecosystem peer.
Broad incumbents
- ISAAC (International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication): International non-profit that convenes the AAC community through conferences, publications, and advocacy. OARC's annual AAC conference and Camp yAAC mirror ISAAC's role at a provincial level, operating in the same awareness-building and community-development space.
Regional players
- AGOSCI (Association for Graphic.symbol-based Communication): Australasian non-profit organization supporting AAC users and their communication partners. Similar mission in community education and conferences but operates in Australia/New Zealand, making it a regionally-comparable peer.
- Communication Matters (UK): UK-based charitable organization supporting people who use AAC. Operates a similar model of awareness, training, and community events but serves the UK/Ireland — providing a regional peer reference for OARC's organizational mission.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
OARC social profiles
Digital presenceOARC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OARC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
OARC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OARC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about OARC
What does OARC do?
OARC provides long-term iPad-based speech-generating AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices configured with specialized apps such as Proloquo2Go, TD Snap, and TouchChat to children with communication challenges or who are non-speaking in Manitoba. Devices are managed remotely via a Mobile Device Management (MDM) platform, supported by a short-term equipment lending library for assessment, customized accessories (keyguards, stylus grips), and printable core boards. The organization also delivers training workshops, an annual AAC conference, Camp yAAC, and community-installed playground communication boards.
Is OARC a public or private company?
OARC is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was OARC founded?
OARC was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is OARC based?
OARC is headquartered in Winnipeg, Canada, in the North America region.
How does OARC make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Grants are the primary driver. The others are charitable Registration and workshop Fees.
Who are OARC's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are AbleNet and The Center for AAC and Autism. Direct peers are AssistiveWare, PRC-Saltillo and Tobii Dynavox. Others are Makers Making Change and Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba (CPAM). ISAAC (International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication) is listed as a broad incumbent. Regional players are AGOSCI (Association for Graphic.symbol-based Communication) and Communication Matters (UK).
Does OARC have an API?
No public API is recorded for OARC.
What industry is OARC in?
OARC's product category is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAKAIAB, AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) Devices, Apps & Training, with a secondary code of EDAJAKAF, Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services. Its NAICS code is 81392.