Communication A Human Right

Communication is a human right

Communication is essential

Communication is an essential part of being a person.

We communicate to express who we are, develop relationships, and contribute to society.

The right to communicate is a basic human right.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights says:

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to… seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media… (Article 19)

The Declaration recognises that all people deserve dignity, equality and respect. Everyone should be treated fairly, no matter what their abilities.

We need to stand up for the right of each person to understand and express opinions, and to communicate through any method they choose. This includes people with communication difficulties.

Many other human rights, including the right to education, to have a job, and to take part in decisions about the government through voting depend upon the right to communicate.

The right to communicate is also important if people are treated badly or unfairly. When we see or experience injustice or unfairness, we need to be able to say, ‘This is not okay’.

We all need to advocate for communication rights.

Lisa

Communication advocate and AAC user

‘I’d probably put communication as the number one human right and human need.’

The Communication Bill of Rights for Australia

Everyone wants to communicate. Everyone has the right to communicate. The right to communicate enables people to make genuine choices in their own lives.

However, without support, many people with communication difficulties risk being ‘unheard’.

Communication difficulties can create significant barriers. They can limit a person getting information, expressing their emotions and opinions, making decisions, sharing preferences, and discussing ideas.

Everyone has the right to use any alternative way to communicate that overcomes these barriers. 

The Communication Bill of Rights poster created by Scope outlines 12 specific communication rights.

Communication gives us meaning and value as a person. We communicate to achieve our social, educational, and vocational goals.

We all need to have our say and be heard.

The human rights of people with communication difficulties must be respected and protected. Ensuring that everyone can access communication options suitable for them means that no one remains ‘unheard’.

This builds stronger communities where everyone can contribute and feel included.

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Watch a panel discussion - Communication is everyone's right

The 'Communication is everyone's right' panel discussion was held on the eve of the International Day of People with Disability in 2021.

Watch the panel discussion on YouTube. It runs for 43 minutes, but it's well worth the time!

Communication advocates share facts, opinions and personal experiences on the rights of people with communication difficulties. They explore the importance of accessible communication and personal autonomy.

The panel discussion was hosted by Speech Pathology Australia and chaired by Tim Kittel, National President (2021-2023). Panel members are:

  • Meredith Allan, Disability Advocate and Consultant
  • Simon Oakley, Chair, Aphasia Victoria
  • Jewel Topsfield, Social Affairs Editor, 'The Age' newspaper
  • Jennifer Fitzgerald AM, Chief Executive Officer, SCOPE Australia.

 

Learn More

Communication Bill of Rights Put forward in 1992 by the National Joint Committee (NJC) for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities, based in the USA. This document outlines 15 communication rights. It is endorsed by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). It formed the basis of the Australian Communication Bill of Rights poster designed by Scope Australia. See the NJC Communication Bill of Rights in pdf format.

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) “The purpose of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is to promote, protect, and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights… by all persons with disabilities and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.” It was published in 2007, and Australia became a signatory in 2008. Access UNCRPD in Easy Read and Languages Other Than English versions.

The Universal Declaration of Communication Rights An international and public pledge for communication rights, coordinated by the International Communication Project (ICP). The ICP advocates for people with communication disability, and highlights the impact of communication barriers on all aspects of life. Sign the pledge. Download the Universal Declaration of Communication Rights in pdf format. Find the Universal Declaration of Communication Rights in Easy Read formats here, you need to scroll down the page. 

Communication as a human right: Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights This is a special issue of the International Journal of Speech Language Pathology. Published by Taylor & Francis Online, 2018. A series of publicly available research articles on the topic of communication as a human right. This issue is available to everyone to read.