What's the toolkit for?

People with communication support needs face barriers which may prevent them getting equal access to:

• services
• local, regional and national decision-making and consultation processes.

We have produced this resource to help service providers and decision-makers take action to remove these barriers. 

The toolkit is based on the social model of disability.  This identifies that the barrier is not due to an individual's communication impairment but the way society is organised and the attitudes that other people hold. 

For example

You are setting up an advisory group.  A person who has had a stroke responds to your invitation.  They require extra time to understand written information.

Barrier

Written information is tabled on the day. The result is that the individual cannot take part in the discussion and their ideas and expertise are lost.

Solution

Adopt a policy of sending out information to be discussed at least 2 weeks in advance of a meeting.

'An equal society recognises peoples' different needs and situations and removes the barriers that limit what people can do and can be'

(UK Equality Review 2007)

The toolkit will help you to take steps to be more inclusive from the beginning. 

We do this by:

• highlighting the diversity of communication support needs

These needs go beyond those related to hearing and visual impairments or having English as an additional language. They are often more hidden.

Written quote: Scottish Women's Convention

• providing practical advice

This advice is for people in public and voluntary organisations who want to engage those members of the public who have communication support needs in the areas of consultation and decision-making.

Written quote: NHS Health Scotland

• reducing people’s anxiety about getting communication wrong

It does not have all the answers, but it has been written to help you to:

• ask the right questions
• find practical solutions.

The people who have communication support needs are the experts on how to achieve effective interaction. Ask them.

  Consult the experts