Communication is central to all we do.

Communication is a basic human right and something that most of us take for granted. Up to 90% of people with an intellectual disability have some sort of difficulty communicating. Traditionally it was thought that the person had the communication problem. They might have had speech therapy sessions to try and “fix” the problem. We now know that communication is everyone’s problem.

Effective communication requires four things:

• A way of understanding the world
• Something to communicate about
• Someone to communicate with
• A way of communicating

(Adapted from by Karen Bloomberg, Denise West and Hilary Johnson (2004) InterAACtion. Scope Vic Limited. Victoria)

The “someone to communicate with” above is also known as a communication partner. A communication partner is anyone you communicate with. For people with an intellectual disability communication partners may be workmates, family, friends, bus drivers or staff in shops. Communication partners are crucial to effective communication.

Tips for communication partners:

• Ask the person about the best way to communicate with them
• Look for communication passports, chat books or any other communication tools they might have
• Get the person’s attention before you start talking
• Use the person’s name
• Use short, simple sentences
• Use real objects to help people make choices
• Talk directly to the person with a disability even if they are with someone who does not have a disability
• Be patient. Give the person time to process what you have said and come up with a response

Plain language and visual materials are available from the IHC via the Advocacy and Self Advocacy teams as well as from People First .

For those with impaired hearing, a useful site is www.deaf.co.nz and for those with impaired vision www.rnzfb.org.nz.