Talking Mats Talking Mats turns 21 on the 15 August 2019! The initial idea for Talking Mats came out of a research project. The founder, Joan Murphy worked as a research speech and language therapist at the University of Stirling. Joan was joined by her colleague, Lois Cameron and in 2011 they established Talking Mats Social Enterprise. Talking Mats is an evidence-based tool with over 130 publications highlighting the effectiveness and impact of using a visual communication framework. The Talking Mats team are passionate about Inclusive Communication. They work to improve the lives of people with communication difficulties by increasing
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Scottish War Blinded Scottish War Blinded support ex-servicemen and women with sight loss – no matter when or how they lost their sight. The charity’s highly experienced rehabilitation team works closely with veterans living with a vision impairment, providing expert advice and training to enable members to live as independently as possible –despite sight loss. Specialist equipment, from electronic magnifiers, canes and tablets, to talking clocks, watches and cooking aids, can be provided free-of-charge to members. There are also 15 Scottish War Blinded outreach workers located across Scotland, providing one-to-one support to veterans with a vision impairment in their region.
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The Scottish Commission for Learning Disability The Scottish Commission for Learning Disability –www.scld.org.uk is excited to announce that Scotland’s Learning Disability Week 2019 – www.scld.org.uk/learning-disability-week-2019 will take place from Monday 13th – Sunday 19th May. This year’s theme is ‘community’ – whoever we are and where ever in Scotland we live, we can all be part of a community. SCLD want to celebrate the contribution and involvement of people with learning disabilities in communities all over Scotland and are asking people, groups and communities to get involved by organising their own ‘Communi-Tea Party’. You can order a ‘Get Involved’ pack
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Ideas for Ears: Hearing Access – what it is Hearing access recognises the fundamental importance of people being able to chat, discuss and follow the spoken word.  It is about making hearing and following conversation and audible information more possible for more people. It is crucial for ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion. The practical application of hearing access encompasses:   provision of the right audio equipment (PA systems, hearing loops, microphones) and ensuring they are set up and used appropriately and effectively creation of environments where noise and acoustics are managed so noise levels don’t build and sound doesn’t echo and
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Dyslexia Scotland It is estimated that 1 in 10 people has dyslexia.  Dyslexia exists in all cultures and across the range of abilities and backgrounds. Dyslexia often runs in the family. There is no ‘cure’ but lots of practical things can help overcome some of the barriers it presents. Dyslexia is a learning ‘difference’, which means that the brain can approach things in a different way to other people. Dyslexia can affect the way people communicate, and is different for everyone. It is not just about reading and writing and it has nothing to do with intelligence. Dyslexia is classed
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