Session 4: Communication Supports for Formal, Symbolic Communicators
The resources listed here are examples only and relate to the slide numbers as they are shown in session 4. Links to these sites are provided as a convenience and are current as of the date posted. The inclusion of a product or a link does not constitute an official endorsement, guarantee, or approval by Communication Disabilities Access Canada (CDAC).
Communication support chart: https://courses.cdacanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Communications_Support_Chart.pdf
Slide: 4: Respectful Communication
Starting a conversation: CDAC.
Slide 5: Sample Communication Passports
My Health Passport for Hospital/Clinic Visits. Florida Center for Inclusive Communities.
Communication passport for emergencies: Widget.
Making a communication access card: CDAC
Aphasia communication identification and tips Card: Aphasia Institute
Slide 6: Communication Support Questionnaires
Communication Disabilities Access Canada
Effective Communication: Surrey Place Centre
https://ddprimarycare.surreyplace.ca/guidelines/general-health/effective-communication/
Slide 7: Comprehension
Supporting Comprehension: CDAC
Slides 8, 20, 21 and 33: Context Topic Boards
Patient Provider Communication
This website has a range of free downloadable topic boards and resources for communicating in healthcare and emergency settings
The Nuts and Bolts of Healthcare
This toolkit is for professionals who are interested in improving the health and health care of the people who have intellectual disabilities
Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities
Easy read resources about healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities, family members, support staff and healthcare providers.
Developmental Disabilities Primary Care Program: Surrey Place Centre
Online resources and a primary care program for children and adults with intellectual disabilities
Medical communication boards: Green House Publications
Intended for use in hospitals, rehab units, acute care, emergency rooms, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, clinics, hospice care
Critical Communicator Board: AliMed
Provides help with understanding medical problems in foreign languages.
Beyond Words – Empowering people through pictures
Books and training to support people who find pictures easier to understand than words.
ParticiPics Photographic Tools to Aid in Conversations: Aphasia Institute, Toronto
A free, searchable database of pictures designed to facilitate conversations with people with aphasia. Topics include Healthcare, Abuse, death and grieving, safety, banking
Improving Emergency Care for Adults with Developmental Disabilities
This toolkit is for emergency providers working with patients who have developmental disabilities.
Communication Access Rights and Negotiations: CDAC
Communication access displays contain vocabulary to communicate about accessibility supports including: rights, respect, understanding, expressive communication, telephone, reading and writing access.
Communication Rights Toolkit: Communication First
Communicating with Police, Legal and Justice Services: CDAC
Picture displays to communicate about abuse, crimes, legal and court procedures
Slide 13: Comprehension Assistance
Free online training program for people who provide communication assistance: CDAC
https://courses.cdacanada.com/lessons/facilitating-understanding-of-spoken-language/
Slide 15: Accessible Reading and Writing
Plain language checklist and information
Plain Language Project: People First Canada
Making accessible print/text and e-communications: CDAC
Making reading materials accessible: CDAC
Guidelines for communication access: CDAC
Accessible forms and negotiating signature arrangements: CDAC
Slide 16: Expressive Communication
Communicating with people who have communication disabilities. CDAC
Slide 26: Communication Assistance for Expressive Communication
Free online training program for people who provide communication assistance: CDAC
Slide 31: Decision Making Support
A Good Life: Al Etmanski. Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN)
A book to inspire you to develop a Personal Future Plan with your loved one.
The Trobe Support for Decision making Practice Framework Learning Resources
This online learning resource is for supporters of people with intellectual disabilities and people with acquired brain injury. It provides an evidence-based framework to support people to make decisions.
Decision Making in Health Care of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Surrey Place Centre.
This tool provides practical steps to help healthcare providers meet their obligation to respect the decision-making rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Decision making Supports for Adults with Cognitive Disability: Scope, Australia
A series of resources to help families, carers, disability support workers, and legal professionals support people with cognitive disability make decisions.
Slide 32: Talking Mats
Talking Mats: Stirling University
Talking Mats is communication resource and strategy used by clinical practitioners, and support workers in a wide range of health, social work, residential and education settings. Training and resources are available via Talking Mats.
Slide 33: Decision Making Topic Boards
https://courses.cdacanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Context-Topic-Boards.zip
Slide 38: Speech Language Pathology and Augmentative Communication Services
International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Canada: https://isaac-canada.org/
Speech Audiology Canada: https://www.sac-oac.ca/
Communication intermediaries for police, legal and justice situations: CDAC: https://www.cdacanada.com/resources/access-to-justice-communication-intermediaries/communication-intermediary-database/about-intermediaries-on-the-database/
Slide 39: Policies and Documentation
Communication Support Documentation Guidelines: CDAC