The theme for Speech Pathology Week, running from August 20-26 this year, is “Communication Access – Everyone gets the message”.
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When we create communication accessible communities, everyone gets the message.
Speech Pathology Australia estimates 1.1 million Australians have a communication disability – and that, over the course of their life, one in seven Australians will experience a communication difficulty.
Information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicates that some 235,000 people with a disability use electronic or non-electronic communication aids for reading, writing and speaking (this does not include hearing aids).
Every 10 minutes, an Australian suffers a stroke – that’s more than 60,000 strokes each year.
At least 30 per cent of people post-stroke suffer loss of language or experience communication difficulties.
Speech pathologists play a vital role in diagnosing and treating dyslexia with therapies for reading and writing.
“Communication is a basic human right and Australia needs to do more to achieve communication access for those with a communication disability,” Gaenor Dixon, National President of Speech Pathology Australia explained.
“Communication accessibility can be as easy as rephrasing your question in simple language, using pictures, writing, gestures or symbols to help get across your message.
“For businesses, it might mean including plain English signage with symbols and pictures as well as words; or training staff so they are able to communicate successfully with a person with a communication difficulty.”
People with a communication disability communicate using a variety of means, including electronic speech devices, word-based or picture-based communication boards or books, sign and gesture, spelling, and through verbal means.
“Like mobility or wheelchair access, communication access is enabling people with communication disabilities to get their message across,” Ms Dixon said.
“Our communities need to be accessible for everyone, including people with communication difficulties.
“Building communication accessibility will ensure that everyone is treated with dignity and respect. When we create communication accessible communities, everyone gets the message.”
For information about Speech Pathology Week visit www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/week
