As face coverings become the norm in the current COVID-19 climate, communication between people is becoming increasingly challenging, and for approximately 14 million people who have additional communication needs it is even tougher.
Communication Access UK is an initiative developed in partnership by charities and organisations, including The Makaton Charity, that share a vision to improve the lives of people with communication difficulties.
Together, we’ve developed the Communication Access Symbol, a new disability access symbol, underpinned by a completely free training package and standards, designed to make life easier for millions of people in the UK.
Communication Access UK was formed by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) in partnership with Stroke Association, Headway, MND Association, Disability Rights UK, Business Disability Forum, Communication Matters, The Makaton Charity, and The National Network of Parent Carer Forums.
If you would like to support with raising funding for this fantastic initiative you can donate through the crowd funding page.
The training for organisations gives them information and awareness of how they can support all with a communication need. The organisation can then further their support to the Makaton community by attending Makaton training to enable them to gain Makaton Friendly status, which recognises they have attended a certain level of training and they have key staff who can support the Makaton user with signs and symbols. The Makaton Friendly initiative is under review and will be ready early in the new year.
About the new Communication Access symbol
Wilfred, one of our Makaton Advocates, talks with Richard Fish, Makaton Ambassador, about what the Communication Access symbol means to him, and how the Makaton Friendly initiative helps with the use of signs and symbols