Campaign success as the Scottish Government announces new AAC guidance and funding
12 June 2012
Capability Scotland celebrates campaign success as the Scottish Government launches new guidance on the provision of Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) in Scotland.
The "Right to Speak" guidance was launched on 12 June by Michael
Matheson, MSP Minister for Public Health during a visit to
Capability Scotland's Corseford School. The Guidance was
announced alongside a £4 million funding package to ensure its
successful implementation.
The publication of the "The Right to Speak" is the result of
over six years of campaigning by Capability Scotland in partnership
with the Royal College of Speech and language Therapists (RCSLT)
and AAC in Practice in Scotland to improve the provision of AAC
services across the country.
Announcing the funding Mr Matheson said: ""I am delighted to be
able to announce this £4 million funding, which I am sure will make
a real difference to people who have difficulty expressing
themselves using speech and their families. The kinds of equipment
it will buy are vital for thousands of people in Scotland.
Capability Scotland Chief Executive, Dana O'Dwyer commented:
"Many of the adults and children who use Capability Scotland's
education, employment and care services rely on Augmentative and
Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. They use them to learn and
make choices, as well as to communicate their thoughts, feelings
and ideas.
"The difficulties faced by AAC users inspired our long-running
campaign with the RCSLT and Augmentative Communication in Practice.
We're proud that this has lead to improved access to high quality
AAC provision across Scotland.
"We welcome the Scottish Government's new guidelines and funding
for AAC provision and are delighted to welcome the Minister for
Public Health, Michael Matheson, to Capability Scotland's Corseford
School. During his visit he'll get the chance to hear from disabled
pupils the difference the improvements in AAC provision will make
to their lives."
To see pictures from
the launch event please visit our Flickr gallery.
