Communication A Human Right

Communication A Human Right

Communication access

Everyone has the right to communicate, but not everyone has easy access to communication. For example, people with disability may face barriers.

Access means overcoming any barriers to:

  • getting your message across to express thoughts, feelings, and needs
  • understanding what other people are communicating
  • engaging respectfully with others, including those with communication disability
  • using additional strategies to support successful communication.

People with disability have a right to use a range of ways to access communication.

Dale

A communication advocate and AAC user

‘I can say the word ‘no’ by my mouth, and this is my quickest way to communicate. Mostly I have Accent [ a speech generating device] for 90% of the time, and I have a communication book that I can point to the symbols for when my device is flat battery or sent away for saying the wrong words. Just joking!'

Communication access involves everyone

Accessible communication is important in everyday situations, including:

  • getting information about transport
  • buying something in a shop
  • telling someone to go away
  • asking a question about something on a menu
  • telling someone you are hurt or sick
  • reporting abuse or discrimination
  • giving informed consent to medical decisions
  • making legal decisions about money or property or relationships.

Accessible communication relies on communication partners accepting and supporting each person's communication skills and preferences. It may depend on getting the right support services. It also means building understanding and skills  in our communities.

We all need to be aware and adapt the ways we communicate to improve communication access for everyone. 

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The Communication Access Symbol

The Communication Access Symbol The Communication Access Symbol has been developed by Scope.

The Communication Access Symbol is awarded to businesses that undergo an accreditation process to include communication access in their access and inclusion plans. It signifies that people are respectful and responsive to individuals with communication difficulties, and that strategies and resources are used to support successful communication for everyone in that business. To date, over 200 Australian businesses have been accredited with the internationally recognised symbol.

Read more about the Communication Access Symbol in Supporting Communication.

 

Ian

Minister and active in his church and community despite his hearing loss.

‘I think communication is such a basically important thing and even if a person thinks it's hard, we've got to work at it. There are some people who need physical support, whether it's hearing aids or implants or something like that, or whether they just need people to talk more clearly and a bit slower to them. And that can be consciously done if we practice it, and if we're sensitive to the people around us.’

Benefits of accessible communication

Ensuring that everyone has access to communication has many benefits.

For people with communication difficulties, it improves life outcomes and satisfaction. It also builds connection which the whole community can enjoy.

For service providers, it can save time and money. Services can save time, and better understand and meet the needs of the people they support.

For businesses, it can improve the business or organisation’s brand, encourage innovation, and extend market reach. Customers’ experience is better and more satisfying when they can easily communicate.

Learn more

Communication Access Literature Review Commissioned by Speech Pathology Australia on behalf of the Communication Access Alliance. The Communication Access Alliance aims to create national standards for communication access, and foster communication accessible communities. Executive summary available in Easy English and Plain English formats.

Communication Access for All: Introducing the Communication Access Symbol A booklet in pdf format, published by Scope Australia in 2015, outlining the history and application of the Communication Access Symbol in Australia. This resource includes stories of lived experience, and outlines the importance of communication access. It includes the iconic ‘Final Piece Of The Puzzle’ image (see page 4).

Inclusive Communication Overview Produced by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists in the UK. Describes Inclusive Communication and provides lived experience stories of inclusive and non-inclusive communication experiences.