Speak_Out_June_2013

Feature

Communication Access – “Good Communication is Good Business”

Communication Access is defined by people with communication difficulties as “Communication Access is when everyone can get their message across” . Background The Communication Access Network (CAN) is funded by DHS and consists of Scope’s Communication Resource Centre (CRC) at the hub, and 11 Regional Communication Services across Victoria. The Communication Access Network leads, supports and coordinates local and state-wide initiatives to ensure people with complex communication needs can communicate effectively and participate in their own communities. In 2008-2010, the CRC led the process to identify a symbol for communication access through state-wide consultation which followed the Australian Standard AS 2342-1992. Over 1,700 people responded to 10 possible symbols. The symbol that was selected became the new symbol for Communication Access, and it was launched on 17 November 2011. This was the culmination of five years of work by people with communication disabilities and the Communication Access Network. Communication access assessments and the communication access assessors

“Being employed as a communication access assessor has meant: • Job satisfaction • Making a difference • Opportunity to travel and meet new people • Presenting at conferences and forums • Additional income • New friendships and colleagues who are assessors • Being part of the team at the CRC”. Places that have been awarded the Communication Access symbol All places are

assessed against 30 criteria and in order to be awarded the symbol, services must meet the minimum criteria. A list of businesses and services that are communication accessible are on

The Communication Access symbol.

Scope’s website: http://www.scopevic.org.au/index. php/site/whatweoffer/communicationresourcecentre/ communicationaccess These places include Able Australia, Barwon Health – Newcomb Community Health Centre, Bendigo Bank – Lara District Community Bank, Bundoora Park Café, Café Escape, Communication Rights Australia, Latrobe City Council – various offices, Scope’s Southern and Gippsland regional offices, Travellers Aid – Flinders Street and Southern Cross, and Warrnambool City Council. At present Communication Access is a Victorian- based initiative, but there is interest nationally and internationally. Scope’s CRC is currently undertaking investigations to take this initiative beyond Victoria. For further information about Communication Access, please contact the Communication Resource Centre on 03 9843 2000 or crc@scopevic.org.au

Businesses, services and organisations are

assessed by people with a communication disability who are employed as communication access assessors.

A group of communication access assessors.

There are currently 15 trained communication access

assessors, who were trained over three days to learn about Communication Access and the assessment process.

Communication access assessors have told us what communication access means to them: • “Communication Access and the symbol will help educate people about different ways of communicating” • “People remain relaxed and comfortable when talking with people who use different ways of communicating” • “Communication is a two-way process” • “Speaking to the person and not the person with them” • “Taking time! Speak to me, not down to me”.

Denise West, Naomi Rezzani & Hank Wyllie Scope Communication Resource Centre

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Speak Out June 2013

Speech Pathology Australia