Jordan Crawford & Tina Yu & Margaret MacKenzie Sense Scotland 16 th September 2014 How a Range of AAC methods have Supported Participation within Sense Scotland’s Service User Consultation Group

Format Background – Tina AAC methods and resources - Tina Introduction by Jordan who is a current member of Our Voice Meetings and support - Margaret

About Sense Scotland Sense Scotland was formalised as a charity in It grew quickly, from its beginnings as a small group of families pressing for services for their children, who were affected by deafblindness, many because of maternal rubella. Since then, the organisation has gone on to successfully support thousands of disabled people and their families, in thousands of projects and services, throughout Scotland. Supporting people with complex communication support needs

About us Range of services from children and young people to adult services across Scotland Residential Services Short Breaks Housing Support Arts and Music Early Years Project One Giant Leap Partners in Communication Project

Staff and Our Voice members Tina Yu -Policy Officer with Partners in Communication Project Margaret MacKenzie – Project Coordinator with One Giant Leap Project and facilitator to Service Users Consultation Group “Our Voice” Jordan – current member of Our Voice

Background Service Users Consultation Group Meeting Began 10 years ago Initially met in Perth, then Dundee and Glasgow. Now there are 3 regional groups in Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow. Celebrated 10 years in 2014 and launch with new name “Our Voice”

Our Voice – What does it do? It asks people who use Sense Scotland services what is important to them. It can help make your views known, not only to Sense Scotland, but to Local and National Government and other organisations.

Our Voice It gives you the opportunity to make your voice heard on issues that affect you in your everyday life, for example: making transport more accessible to people with disabilities or making your views known on the area where you live and the money you need to live the life you choose Each group meets once a month

Our Voice As the group grew in membership size and geographical locations Found that existing accessible formats was not meeting need

Communication Survey Conducted a Communication Survey to assess accessibility needs and preferences for minutes

Individual Communication survey/profile This survey / profile is to find out information about the communication support needs of each individual that Sense Scotland supports.

Formats Before – DVD with BSL interpreter, Text, Special Font After the survey – DVD with BSL interpreter, Text, Braille, Audio CD (Scottish Voices), Easy Read, Storyboard in Aberdeen group minutes Development of easy read agenda and summary using Bonnington symbols, pictures and other symbols.

AAC methods during the meetings Easy read agendas and meeting notes that can be made into other formats such as Audio CD. Consultations with external organisations – other symbols such as PCS and Photosymbols For example the recent Disability Agenda Scotland Referendum survey we used maps, PCS symbols and Widgit symbols and other accessible formats.

Adaptation from an easy read survey using Matrix Maker – Widgit symbols

Tools used in evaluation at Our Voice Conference Easy Read Agendas and Programmes Talking Mats iPads Symbols with boxes and Sound recordings – Yes and No

Introducing Jordan How Jordan uses different AAC tools to help with his participation with One Voice and interaction with other group members. Summary formats requested during meetings include Audio CD, DVD, Pictorial, , special font, Braille

AAC Tools - Formats Language breakdown Development of Braille from Grade 1 to Grade 2, word and line spacing, page numbering Audio CDs – Scottish Voices The way the words presented and long term trial and error Easy Read – Bonnington symbols, PCS symbols Talking mats used in evaluation Text in various fonts and sizes

AAC support Role of support staff and family members Role of Our Voice member to their peers and staff teams Support Group for staff to contribute best practice and ideas Invited our Leadership Team to agree involvement in organisational decisions All helped communication

What we have learnt Expansion of timeframes Codes of conduct and roles – rules Aims and objectives Responsibilties The value of feedback and inclusion The use of technology and other methods for example Talking Mats, iPads, and other symbols Model to help create new regional groups - Ayrshire

How to contact us Tina Yu, Policy Officer, Partners in Communication Margaret MacKenzie, One Giant Leap Project

Contacting us Sense Scotland 43 Middlesex Street Glasgow G41 1EE Phone: Fax: textphone: