NHS Dumfries and GallowaySpeech and Language Therapy

A Right to SpeakA Right to SpeakSupporting Individuals who use Augmentative and Alternative Supporting Individuals who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication – June 2012Communication – June 2012

“Individuals who use AAC are included, free from discrimination, and live in an environment that recognises their needs and adapts accordingly”

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/06/8416

Dumfries and GallowayDumfries and Galloway

The Project – The Project – What we set out to achieveWhat we set out to achieve

• To increase public awareness of AAC• To increase the public’s knowledge of how best to

communicate with people who use AAC • Empower people who use AAC to express their own

views

• Have fun doing it

Communication Friends GroupCommunication Friends Group

Social group

High tech users of AAC

Facilitated by local SLTs & Education partners

Informal opportunities for social communication

Peer support

The Project – the planThe Project – the plan

Communication Friends Group would create and star in a short film about how they communicate.

Commission Equal Voices ArtsUse the short film for awareness raising of AAC

A Right to A Right to CommunicateCommunicate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx338vnATIA

The Project -FeedbackThe Project -FeedbackAll participants were thrilled with the online reaction.

Rachael responded: “It’s amazing, I feel so proud to be part of getting the message out there.”

Sharing the short film Sharing the short film

Friends and FamilyWider Community – within Dumfries & GallowayAAC community Social Media

What other people thoughtWhat other people thoughtComments :

“Genuinely one of the most interesting and moving things I’ve watched in a long time.” (Facebook)

“Wonderful video showcasing the value of AAC technology.” (CereProc Text to Speech)

What’s happened sinceWhat’s happened sinceParticipants have been

empowered to use the short film to raise peer awareness

Request to use as a training resource for 1st year SLT students at Strathclyde University

Hopes & ideas for the FutureHopes & ideas for the FutureTo use within the Personal & Social Education curriculum

within Secondary Schools in Dumfries and Galloway.Share as training resource with all other SLT

undergraduate HEIsScope to use in Probationary teacher and other training

within the regionEdited version as a pre movie trailer in cinemas within

Dumfries & GallowaySupport and encourage peer education

The Project – The Project – So what did we achieve?So what did we achieve?

• Increase public awareness of AAC• Increase the public’s knowledge of how best to

communicate with people who use AAC • Empower people who use AAC to express their own

views

• Have fun doing it!

LinksLinkshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx338vnATIA

Or search on YouTube ‘A Right to Communicate’

Follow us on Twitter @SLT-DG

or on Facebook at Speech and Language Therapy adult service:NHSD&G

http://www.equalvoices.co.uk/

Special Thanks to all members of Special Thanks to all members of the the

Communication Friends Group Communication Friends Group