Essex Libraries recently held the 3rd Annual

"Inclusive Communication Essex (ICE) Sharing Day". This years event, in partnership with Essex Cares saw over 120 people come and see and hear what people in Essex are doing to support communication

Photo: Using photographs to explain "How I got here today" 

 

Inclusive Communication is about enabling a person with a learning disability to both understand and be understood when communicating.

This includes

• using speech that is simple, clear and at the right level for the persons understanding
• using body language and gestures
• signing
• using pictures, symbols and graphics to support the spoken and written word.

This is essential as it is generally recognised that 90% of people with a learning disability may have a communication diffculty of some form.

 

 

 

 Photo: One of the displays 'shared' by one of the services in Essex

 

 

 

During the day there were interactive workshops in which people were given a "hands on" opportunity to think about and learn to:

• make information simple to understand
• communicate their aspirations in life
• share the best success stories in Essex

Susan Carragher, Director of Adult Community Learning and Libraries, welcomed everyone and talked about the many ways libraries supported people with a learning disability:

• Employment in libraries
• Employment in library book rest cafes
• Making job profiles and application forms accessible including a national first by producing the libraries customer service assistant job profile in a DVD format.

The main focus of the day was to 'share' the good work that is going on throughout the county.

The newly formed 'Essex Cares' demonstrated how their products and services focus on inclusion, and how one man, Thomas, was supported using inclusive communcation to communciate effectively thus radically increasing his opportunities and abilities.

Both adult and childrens' services bought along displays of their communication work for all to see. A number of displays showed work which has helped the services to achieve high Ofsted rating during their recent inspections!

More importantly new contacts were made, ideas were shared and numerous successes were celebrated.

The audience heard from people with learning disabilities themselves. Both Adult Community Learning and Crafty Drama wrote their own productions to demonstrate why communication is so important to them.

There was a signed rendition of "Happy Talk" from Crafty Drama!

 Photo: Drama production by Adult Community Learning, Maldon

 

 

The day also saw the "Official launch" of the ICE Resource Service based at Witham Library.

The service is open to learning disabled people in Essex and everyone including their families, carers and professionals who want to improve how they communicate with them. It provides information on training, events and equipment and can give advice to anyone who needs help in making their information 'easier to read.'

The library also has lots of resources to lend from communciation aids, to Easy Read guides and DVD's. To find out more, check out the library website or look at our Resources section.

 

There were also many of the specialist communication equipment providers in attendance who held demonstrations of their equipment throughout the day. One parent commented that she was "estactic that my daughter can get to try the eye gaze equipment, I'm so glad I came here today"

 

 

The day was closed by Liz Chidgey, Deputy Executive Director: Adults, Health and Community Wellbeing, who said that "Essex County Council Adult Social Care is committed to making personalised services a reality for everyone".

She concluded that "Personalisation means helping people make choices...this is a complex process in which is dependent on effective communication," and that "Essex County Council recognises this and is committed to supporting Inclusive Communication in Essex".

 

In the spirit of the day, all the presentations, workshops, speakers and table discussions were recorded visually on a large scale graphic.

 

 

 

For any questions on Inclusive Communication Essex contact ice.resource@essex.gov.uk

telephone 01376 519625 and ask for extension 28.

Please click on the picture now for the Sharing Day feedback report .

 Please email ice.resource@essex.gov.uk if you have any questions or comments about the report.

 

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