18 January 2006

Speech and language therapists back debate on communication support needs

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists is supporting a call for research into the needs of the estimated 250,000 people with communication support needs in Scotland, including people who have had a stroke, cancer and/or mental illness.

Speech and language therapists say the research is urgently required to inform comprehensive action to improve the lives of these individuals.

Members of the Scottish Parliament will debate the issues faced by people with communication support needs at 5pm on Thursday 19 January.

Nanette Milne MSP has sponsored a motion, supported by four party leaders and spokespeople on equality, health, education and justice, that seeks to address the problems faced by people with communication support needs.

Problems include discrimination, mental Illness, difficulty accessing education, employment and services; and difficulties for family members and communities.

People who have communication support needs say:
  • "The way people treat me makes me feel less than human"
  • "They said 'we don't talk to robots'" (to a person using an electronic communication aid)
  • "I feel exposed to others' amusement...losing my voice seems to be a fair target for teasing"
The motion calls for:
  • Comprehensive research to accurately identify the population concerned and to find out from people with communication support needs and service providers what they think are priorities for change
  • The development of a communication strategy for Scotland to deliver appropriate communication support needs to everyone who has them, so they have equal opportunity to enjoy a better quality of life
RCSLT Scotland Policy Officer Kim Hartley says, "It is vital for policy makers and service providers across Scotland's communities to take a much broader view of who has communication support needs if there is to be an end to the current patchy approach to research and provision, which only meets the needs of a limited number of people in a very restricted set of circumstances.

"By doing the research we have proposed, the Scottish Executive would be the first government ever to get to grips with the communication needs of everyone they serve thus ending the life long, day-to-day struggle experienced by thousands of people who are cut off from what life has to offer because of communication difficulties."

Ends

Notes for editors:

Motion S2M-3245# Nanette Milne - Communication Impairment
  • That the Parliament notes that there an estimated 250,000 people in Scotland who have communication impairment; recognises that communication impairment can affect every waking moment of a person's life and that those affected by communication impairment, by definition, are not easily able to speak up about their needs, and believes that the Scottish Executive should take immediate steps to support quality action research in order to develop a comprehensive and coherent framework for action on communication impairment
  • The following support the motion: Brian Adam, Bill Aitken, Shiona Baird, Chris Ballance, Rosemary Byrne, Murdo Fraser, Donald Gorrie, Robin Harper, Margaret Mitchell, Alex Neil, Mary Scanlon, John Scott, Eleanor Scott, Murray Tosh, Ms Sandra White, Rt Hon Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, Jean Turner, Mr Adam Ingram, Mark Ruskell, Mr Kenneth Macintosh, Patrick Harvie, Mark Ballard, Frances Curran, Ms Sarah Boyack, Colin Fox, Mike Pringle, Tommy Sheridan, Pauline McNeill, Miss Annabel Goldie, Ms Nicola Sturgeon, Mr Frank McAveety, Wendy Alexander, Mr Andrew Welsh
  • The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) 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
  • The RCSLT can provide contacts for organisations representing people with communication support needs on request
For more information contact:
RCSLT Scotland Policy Officer Kim Hartley, tel: 0131 226 5250; 0771 2525329 (Mobile) email: kim.hartley@rcslt.org

RCSLT Scotland Councillor Kay Fegan, tel: 01563 577194
Mary Turnbull, Convenor of the Scottish Speech and Language Therapy Managers Network / RCSLT Communication Impairment Action Group, tel; 01786 434078

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