# 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.](http://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.”

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## About SCVO

SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) is the national membership organisation for Scotland's voluntary sector.

Our role is to champion the role of voluntary organisations in Scotland and to support them to do work that has a positive impact.

SCVO supports members and the wider voluntary sector with all aspects of setting up and running a voluntary organisation. SCVO represents the needs and concerns of the voluntary sector to the Scottish government in Holyrood and UK government and Westminster. Through our learning and events programme SCVO offers training and development opportunities to the sector.

Members access an extensive membership benefits package including specialist, in-depth, 1-to-1 guidance from our Information Services team and from professional service partners.

Access to exclusive membership networks (including comms, employers, governance and policy) supports members to grow their connections, stay up to date, exchange ideas and views with peers, and learn through tailored learning opportunities.

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Discounts and savings on SCVO products and services (including our HR service, managed IT support, payroll service and events and training) and partner offers provide members with support to allow them to focus on delivering their organisation’s goals. Further SCVO products and services include [extensive digital support](https://scvo.scot/support/digital), a climate action resource [Growing Climate Confidence](https://climateconfident.scot), a voluntary sector publication [Third Force News](https://tfn.scot) and a voluntary sector jobs and recruitment service [Goodmoves](https://goodmoves.org).

For more information on SCVO membership, visit [SCVO membership](https://scvo.scot/membership)