JCPSLP Vol 21 No 1 2019

Data analysis The results from the surveys were entered into Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 25.0. Descriptive statistics were used to present the quantitative results. Results from the short-answer questions were discussed between authors and collated into themes. Results Estimation of frequency interacting with community members with communication disabilities and difficulties Respondents were asked to select the frequency with which they come into contact with community members who have a detectable communication disability or difficulty. Respondents indicated that they had daily/weekly interactions with: people who have difficulty speaking English (93%, n = 27), people who have difficulty understanding what you are saying (80%, n = 23) and “other” people, such as those who appear intoxicated or drug affected (80%, n = 23).

Monthly interactions were recorded for: people who seem generally confused (35%, n = 10), people who are unable to use speech (28%, n = 8), people who had unclear speech or difficulty hearing (35%, n = 10). Prior training For both disability awareness and communication skills training, only 10% (n = 3) had participated in training within the last five years. 79%, (n = 23) indicated training would be “somewhat” or “very” useful. Perceived level of difficulty interacting with interacting with community members with communication disabilities or difficulties Respondents were asked to rate how difficult it is to understand, and get their message across to, people with a range of communication disabilities or difficulties. The five categories of people that the respondents perceived as most challenging were: (a) people who have difficulty

Table 1. Estimation of frequency interacting with community members with communication difficulties and disabilities

Daily / weekly n (%)

Monthly n (%)

1–4 times a year n (%)

Never n (%)

Unsure n (%)

People who

are unable to use speech

1 (3)

8(28)

16 (55)

3(10)

1(3)

have speech that is unclear

14 (49)

7(24)

7 (24)

1(3)

0(0)

have difficulty speaking English

27 (93)

1(3)

1 (3)

0(0)

0(0)

have difficulty understanding what you are saying

23 (80)

4(14)

2 (7)

0(0)

0(0)

seem generally confused

17 (59)

10(35)

2 (7)

0(0)

0(0)

experience difficulty reading

12 (42)

5(17)

9 (31)

1(3)

0(0)

experience difficulty writing

12 (42)

4(14)

9 (31)

1(3)

0(0)

experience difficulty hearing

5 (17)

7(24)

14 (49)

1(3)

2(7)

Other (e.g., intoxicated or drug affected)

23 (80)

6(21)

0 (0)

0(0)

0(0)

Table 2. Perceived level of difficulty interacting with community members with communication difficulties and disabilities

Very difficult / difficult n (%)

Neither easy or difficult / easy / very easy n (%)

People who

are unable to use speech

19 (66)

10 (34)

have speech that is unclear

19 (66)

10 (34)

have difficulty speaking English

24 (83)

5 (17)

have difficulty understanding what you are saying (e.g. intellectual disability)

21 (36)

8 (28)

seem generally confused (e.g mental health condition)

16 (55)

13 (45)

have difficulty reading

6 (21)

23 (79)

have difficulty writing

4 (14)

24 (86)

experience difficulty hearing

13 (45)

16 (55)

Other (e.g. intoxicated or drug affected)

20 (76)

8 (28)

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JCPSLP Volume 21, Number 1 2019

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