SP 2030 Report

Making it happen

As we step into the future, the speech pathology profession will:

• integrate core curriculum on the principles and processes of achieving communication accessibility into all Australian speech pathology training programs; • establish a comprehensive evidence-base regarding application of communication accessibility standards, development of competence in implementing the standards, and the social and economic outcomes achieved; and • lead innovation in developing processes, tools and

• work with national and international partners to have communication explicitly recognised as a basic human right in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with a Disability; • lead development of regulated national standards for communication accessibility across Australia; • partner with people with communication difficulties to advance communication accessibility, ensuring minimum standards are met by every health and human services agency, providers of education and training, retail business, and transport services; • advance a nation-wide movement and campaign to build understanding and respect for the rights of every individual to communicate and to inform the community of the role of speech pathologists in supporting this right;

technological solutions to facilitate communication accessibility at home, in the work place, and in the community.

Leading the way...

The Communication Access Network, Victoria

communication difficulties. These include the public transport sector such as V-Line (regional rail), Public Transport Victoria, the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission and Victoria Police. Over 150 Victorian businesses and other organisations are now registered as communication accessible. An important feature of the communication access initiative is the central involvement of people with complex communication needs. The initiative provides employment for people with communication difficulties and builds leadership opportunities. However, the most critical aspect is that it brings authenticity and credibility to the audits because it is only people with a communication difficulty who can competently and correctly complete the assessments. Five communication access assessors are currently employed by Scope in Victoria. Scope is now ready to roll out communication access across Australia.

CIRC and CAN engage with organisations over a period of time to develop resources and build skills of staff. The assessment occurs when this process is complete and the organisation feels ready for the audit. When an audit has been successful, the organisation displays the Communication Access Symbol and is awarded a communication access licence, staff have skills and resources to support successful communication. Sustainability of communication access standards is assured through compliance with an annual review and the re-issue of the communication access licence. More and more organisations are wanting to address aspects of their disability access plans that deal with inclusion and the rights of people with identifying it as a place that is welcoming and friendly towards people with communication difficulties and where

Scope’s Communication Inclusion and Resource Centre (CIRC) in partnership with the Communication Access Network (CAN) in Victoria is working towards development of communication accessible communities. It aims to achieve for communication access what the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair symbol) has achieved for physical access. CIRC has undertaken extensive research and consultation with people with communication difficulties and relevant stakeholders on the barriers and facilitators of communication access. This research informed development of the Communication Access Checklist and the underpinning standards that, when met, support people with communication difficulties to access services and resources in their communities. The checklist and standards also benefit people from non-English speaking backgrounds and people with low literacy.

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www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/SP2030