Now Hear Me: It's my Right to Speak

The ability to communicate is a fundamental human right. But, for many, being heard can be hard to achieve, creating a barrier to education, work, relationships and independence. It can also affect their opportunities to help themselves and work with others to bring about social change. As a speech and language therapist myself, this is something I’ve seen many times. But there are solutions available. Augmentative and alternative communication (ACC), as it’s known, comes in various forms. There are simple approaches such as picture communication books and gestures, and hi-tech  software such as text or other input-to-speech programmes (with Professor Stephen Hawking probably the best known user of such equipment). It’s estimated that there are 26,500 people in Scotland who require AAC, resulting from lifelong conditions such as cerebral palsy or autism or as a result of an acquired condition such as dementia, motor neurone disease, stroke or head injury.

It's estimated that there are 26,500 people in Scotland who require ACC

For many of these people, AAC has incredible potential to improve their quality of life, allowing them to express themselves, be more independent and, importantly, enabling them to communicate with the people who love them.  But there are no magic fixes. Different systems will work best for different people.  What matters most is the support of the wider community and taking time to listen. Communication extends to all aspects of our lives.  Civic participation and being able to contribute to political discussions – such as the debates during, and now after, the referendum across Scotland – are part of all our human rights.  Our aim is that people who use AAC can be as active in that debate as all other participants and will have their right to speak supported by others. We want everyone to be confident in speaking to people who use AAC, addressing them directly (not just their carer) and being patient.  Anyone could face losing their speech and all most people in that situation want is to be treated as others themselves would want to be treated. That’s why we’ve launched a new website and campaign at www.nowhearme.co.uk. It aims to raise awareness among health, education and care professionals and direct them to resources that will help them. But we also want to reach others, including community and private organisations and businesses, to let them know help exists if they need it in how they can best support people who use AAC to get the most from these organisations too. I’d like to give the last word to Rachael, who uses AAC technology because she has cerebral palsy: “My communication aid has made a huge difference to my quality of life. I can voice concerns, make choices, tell jokes, and chat with friends, like anybody should be able to do.  I attended college and obtained an A level in Fine Arts, I have given speeches at conferences, and I am able to speak up in important meetings.  Without my communication aid, I would not be able to do any of this or express exactly what I wanted to say.”