Morning:
Things we need to do:
People who we could invite to meetings;
ACTION MEMBERS! Please ask someone like this to come to our next meeting.
Comments and questions;
Group 4 had some dreams - things they thought would help Total Communication to be used everywhere;
In the afternoon we worked on some PATH diagrams to find out the most important things we need to be concentrating on in Total Communication. We listed details of how these things could be achieved. This is a very long page - click here for a printable version.
This group thought that the Network is still very new. The current membership is committed, but the structure and role of the group needs developing. It is not very well known, and so more people need to be told about it. Local advocacy groups are already campaigning about TC.
People who could help with the development of the Network: South West Forum for People with Learning Disabilities, the Valuing People Support Team, potential funders, schools and colleges and the media.
We need to 'keep things moving', and use existing organisations and meetings a much as possible. We should use technology when its helpful. We could use Mencap's national admin support.
First steps:
There are lots of TC 'tools' in use;
Signing Resources;
|
Photographs and Symbols
|
Other Pictures and Graphics
|
Web Accessibility
|
We thought of ways to make sure that these tools are used consistently across the country. We need to be in touch with the other regions. This website will help with that. It is a human right to be able to communicate, and people need to be aware of this!
We could start by asking service users to help. We could contact MPs and get campaigning! We could attend and organise regional conferences. An audit of what has been done in the last ten years might be helpful.
Another National TC Conference will be very important in terms of promoting TC. We could look at TC needs on a national level, such as the 2012 Olympics. Funding will be needed for this conference.
Our big goal for 2011 is that the tools of Total Communication are freely available and charge free.
At the moment there is a lack of skills, equipment is out of date, and software licensing is very expensive. There are media companies who could help. The Valuing People Website would be a good place to put information. A sponsor could be found, such as Tesco's.
People can gather skills needed by going on training and learning from others. People need to know about the potential of technology to make TC happen!
We need to use a website such as "Valuing People" to be a place to get information about technology, and links for training, media companies...etc. The site could contain these easy to read guides;
At the moment, TC is restricted to places directly related to Learning Disabilities. Transport, shops, and other public places do not use TC. This needs to change. Many residential homes and day centres are using TC effectively. There are trained TC coordinators and staff. There are local and regional networks of people being set up, where ideas and experiences can be swapped.
The people who could help with this goal are: Local Councils, local and national businesses, people with learning disabilities, service providers, and the WHOLE COMMUNITY.
Things we need to do: Spread awareness about learning disability and communication through the community. We need clear objectives, education, and surveys of the communication tools being used already.
In 6 months time, we could have set our objectives (what we would like to do), contacted local businesses, spoken to our local councils and sent our surveys.
In 10 years time, these places will have used the principles of Total Communication to help people with learning disabilities to be more independent;
Next meeting is on the 26th January 2006 at Lufton College, Yeovil from 10am to 3.30pm.