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Their communication difficulties compound a lack of social infrastructure. This highlights an urgent need for capacity building. There is a dearth of published information about the application of capacity building to people with complex communication needs. More research is needed into the efficacy of this approach as well as strategies and resources to assist in successful capacity building with this population. The application of capacity building approaches to people with complex communication needs is a new and complex enterprise. Consideration should be given to how people with complex communication needs and speech pathologists can be adequately trained, resourced, and supported to undertake effective and meaningful community projects. References Atkinson, R., & Willis, P. (n.d.). Community capacity building: A practical guide . Paper no. 6. Hobart, Tas.: Housing and Community Research Unit, University of Tasmania. Retrieved from http://www.chs.ubc.ca/archives/ files/Community%20Capacity-Building%20A%20 Practical%20Guide.pdf Balandin, S. (2002). Message from the president. ISAAC Bulletin , 67 , 2. Charity commission. (2000). The promotion of community capacity building. Retrieved from: http://www. charitycommission.gov.uk/Library/guidance/rr5.pdf Craig, G. (2007). Community capacity-building: Something old, something new...? Critical Social Policy , 27 , 335–359. Crisp, B. R., Swerissen, H., & Duckett, S. J. (2000). Four approaches to capacity building in health: Consequences for measurement and accountability. Health Promotion International , 15 (2), 99-107. Department of Health. (2011). Integrated health promotion in action . Retrieved from www.health.vic.gov.au/ healthpromotion/steps/implementation Department of Sustainability and the Environment. (2005). Effective engagement: Building relationships with community and other stakeholders. Retrieved from http:// www.dse.vic.gov.au/effective-engagement Hounslow, B. (2002). Community capacity building explained. Stronger Families Learning Exchange Bulletin , 1 , 20–22. Lovell, S. A., Kearns, R. A., & Rosenberg, M. W. (2011). Community capacity building in practice: Constructing its meaning and relevance to health promoters. Health & Social Care in the Community , 19 , 531–540. McLennan, F., Vickers, K., Mason, K., Bloomberg, K., Leadbetter, V., & Engel, M. (2006). Capacity building and complex communication needs: A new approach to specialist speech pathology services in rural Victoria. Australian Journal of Primary Health , 12 , 66–74. NSW Health. (2001). A framework for building capacity to improve health. Retrieved from http://www.health.nsw.gov. au/pubs/2001/framework_improve.html Perry, A., Reilly, S., Bloomberg, K., & Johnson, H. (2002). An analysis of needs for people with a disability who have complex communication needs . Melbourne: La Trobe University. Queensland Government. (2011) Actively engaging people with a disability. Retrieved from www.qld.gov.au/ web/community-engagement/guides-factsheets/people- disabilities/actively-engaging.html Queensland Health. (2003). Integrating public health practices: A position statement on community capacity

can be helpful. Ensuring that meetings take place at times and venues that are convenient to attendees is also useful. Speech pathologists and project teams can work collaboratively with advocacy groups as well as disability support services in order to reach more isolated and less empowered community members. Speech pathologists generally have many skills in facilitating the inclusion of people who have communication difficulties in community projects. In some cases it is necessary to have resources such as meeting agendas and partnership agreements in accessible formats. Depending on their experience, some project participants may benefit from training in meeting procedure and etiquette. Others may wish to attend meetings in an observer’s capacity before being expected to contribute. It is often helpful to allow extra time for meetings and consultations, to permit people who use augmentative communication systems the time needed to have their say. Sending out meeting agendas in advance also allows participants to pre-program appropriate vocabulary into their communication devices. Another way of involving people with diverse communication skills in a project is to have a range of roles available to cater for different skills and interests. Such roles may include project planning, trainer/co-trainer and evaluation assistant. Some projects, such as police training call for practice communication partners, where trainees have the opportunity to practise conversing with people with complex communication needs. If speech pathologists are to undertake capacity building, relevant training needs to be available, either in entry-level courses, or through postgraduate study. Similarly, project managers from other disciplines need training in complex communication needs, to allow participation of people with complex communication needs in broader capacity building projects. In order for capacity building to be valued and funded within speech pathology, there must be an evidence base to support it. Projects must have clear evaluations. There is a wide range of qualitative and quantitative evaluations which can be applied to capacity building projects (Simister & Smith, 2010). Whichever methods are selected, it is vital to audit the capacity building process as well as evaluating project outcomes. This will guide other practitioners in developing effective capacity building projects. Where possible project audits and evaluations should be published in order to increase the body of knowledge available to the profession. Directions for future research There is a great need for research into the applications and efficacy of capacity building with people with complex communication needs. In particular it would be useful to know what capacity building methodologies have been used with people with complex communication needs; the effectiveness or otherwise of these methodologies; and strategies for successful community engagement of people with complex communication needs. In addition there is a need for a broad needs-analysis to determine what projects have been undertaken to increase communication accessibility in the community; what further needs are identified by communities with complex communication needs, either locally or on a wider (e.g., national) scale; and what priorities are identified for future projects. Conclusion People with complex communication needs form a fragmented and diverse community with low social capital.

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JCPSLP Volume 14, Number 2 2012

Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology