8 June 2005

Unseen, unheard and unrecognised: but not any more


MSPs agree on action to take for the 250,000 Scots with communication impairment

MSPs from across the parties in the Scottish Parliament met today (8 June 2005) to agree actions they can take to improve the life of the quarter of a million Scots living with a communication impairment.

Chaired by Eleanor Scott, MSP, the short life working group agreed a series of actions to highlight the challenges of those who have problems speaking, understanding, reading and/or writing.

The MSPs agreed to:

  • Write parliamentary questions and produce a direct appeal to ministers calling for comprehensive research to produce a Scotland-wide strategy for people with communication impairment.
  • Seek a members' debate on the issue of communication impairment.
  • Examine all legislation in terms of its impact on people in Scotland with communication impairment.

Ends

Notes for editors:

The meeting was organised by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and Speech and Language Therapy Managers Network "Communication Impairment Action Group".

The aims of the group are to ensure that:

  1. Comprehensive research is carried out to accurately identify and quantify all those who have communication impairment in Scotland, expose their day-to-day experiences and shape a comprehensive strategy to meet their needs.
  2. People with communication impairment are recognised as a unique group.
  3. The impact of communication disability on health and wellbeing is better recognised.
  4. National, regional and local policy development, implementation and audit takes account of the needs of people with communication impairment.

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists is the professional body for speech and language therapists in the UK and has nearly 12,000 members. It is responsible for setting, promoting and maintaining high standards in education, clinical practice and ethical conduct. Visit: www.rcslt.org for more information

For more information contact Steven Harulow, email: steven.harulow@rcslt.org tel: 020 7378 3004