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Volume 19, Number 3 2017
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Table 1. An analysis of communication terminology in relation to aspects of inclusive communication
continued
Communica-
tion term
Definition/explanation
Medical
model
Social
model
Applies to
some or
all specific
disabilities
Includes
all people
who have
difficulty
commu-
nicating
Easily
under-
stood
by lay
person
Terms inclusive of the role of the environment
Aphasia
friendly
Aphasia friendly
is when “barriers to participation in an
environment are removed and facilitators for participation
are provided or enhanced, in order to make the setting
suitable for use by an individual or group of individuals with
aphasia” (Howe, Worral & Hickson, 2004, p. 1033). Such an
environment would include the following features: information
written in an aphasia friendly format, facilitators and barriers
to be evident in systems and policies across all life areas,
communication partners are skilled communicators. and the
attitudes of health professionals and members of the public
are positive.
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Autism
friendly
Autism friendly
refers to an enabling environment. For a child
on the spectrum, the features of this environment should
be based on information from an individual assessment,
with input from parents and carers. The focus should be on
facilitating an understanding of the social environment, and
the use of visual supports for communication, considering
the developmental stage of the child. Features of the sensory
environment in relation to the child need to be considered
and adapted (Guldberg, 2010).
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Dementia
friendly
Dementia friendly
refers to a community “where people living
with dementia are supported to live a high quality of life with
meaning, purpose and value. For people with younger onset
dementia, this should mean the option of being supported
to stay at work, like any other disabled person, as being
dementia friendly is not only about social engagement”
(Alzheimer’s Australia, 2016).
No
Yes
Yes
No
TBD
Communica-
tion friendly
Communication friendly
is an environment that “should make
communication as easy, effective and enjoyable as possible.
It should provide opportunities for everyone to talk, listen,
understand and take part. Developing a communication
friendly environment can also be seen as removing barriers
to communication. A communication friendly environment
will also support learning, social and emotional development”
(The Communication Trust, 2017).
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Communica-
tion access
Communication access
“occurs when people are respectful
and responsive to individuals with communication disabilities,
and when strategies and resources are used to support
successful communication” (Solarsh & Johnson, 2017, p.
56). “Communication access is when everyone can get
their message across and understand what is said to them”
(Solarsh & Johnson, 2017, p. 56).
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Inclusive
communica-
tion
Inclusive communication
means “sharing information
in a way that everybody can understand. For service
providers, it means making sure that you recognise that
people understand and express themselves in different
ways. For people who use services, it means getting
information and expressing themselves in ways that
meet their needs. Inclusive communication relates to all
modes of communication: Written and online information,
telephone and face-to-face. Inclusive communication
makes services more accessible for everyone. It will help to
achieve successful outcomes for individuals and the wider
community. It enables people to live more independently and
to participate in public life” (Scottish Government, 2011).
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No