News
ENQUIRE: National Conference
This will be held in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, on Tuesday 9th
March 2010. The title of the conference is Families as Learning
Partners and it has a focus on families of children with additional
support needs. Parent places are available at a discounted rate of £10
but you must contact Jacqueline Wilson on 0131 222 2425 to arrange these.
Further details are available at
http://www.childreninscotland.org.uk/html/tra_tshow.php?ref=1364
SCOTTISH JUSTICE SYSTEM POLL - ACCESSIBILITY
The Scottish Justice sector, through Capability Scotland, seek the experiences and views of people with communication support needs on their access to justice.
There was an event scheduled to be held in September, which has been cancelled, but people are encouraged to have their say via a website poll, or by forwarding any anecdotal material
to Afasic Scotland. This will be collated on your behalf and sent to Capability Scotland, who intend to compile a report.
There is an online survey at: -
http://www.capability-scotland.org.uk/scottishjusticesystempoll.aspx aimed at finding out the experience of people with a disability in relation to the justice system.
We feel that it is extremely important that these views are heard and we are therefore trying to encourage as many people as possible to complete this poll.
The main areas they would be interested in are: -
- Attitudes of people in the justice system
- Accessibility of information
- Communication
- Physical access
Please also bring this to the attention of anyone you know that might be interested.
AFASIC AT THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT
On May 5, 6 and 7 Afasic Scotland held an exhibition in the Garden Lobby at Holyrood, the main thoroughfare between the offices of the MSPs and the Debating
Chambers, giving the team of Afasic members and staff plenty of opportunity to waylay people over the three days and raise
awareness of the ongoing needs of children and young people with speech, language and communication impairments. The exhibition was sponsored by Jeremy Purvis MSP.
LAUNCHING THE CAMPAIGN: MEETING THE COMMUNICATION CHALLENGE
A reception was also held at the Scottish Parliament on the evening of 5 May and a crowd of members, representatives of a range of voluntary organisations, MSPs and others helped Afasic Scotland launch a campaign
for a review of services for children and young people with speech, language and communication impairments (SLCI) in
Scotland. (To view photographs taken please - click here)
Launching the campaign, Ann Auchterlonie (Director Scotland) recalled the outcome of the 2008 Bercow Review of services in England where it was found that:
"Although there are excellent professionals and some good services, the overall situation is highly unsatisfactory.
Access to information and services is often poor, the quality of services is mixed, continuity across the age range is lacking, joint working is rare and there is something of a postcode
lottery. Above all, the priority attached to communication is too low." (John Bercow MP)
She recognised that the Scottish Government has made education a priority and has led a range of initiatives to improve the life chances of children in Scotland and continues to seek to raise achievement.
"It would be good to think that the situation in Scotland is better" she said, "But there is no evidence to support that view"
Ann pointed out that given the normal
incidence of SLCI, it could be anticipated that around 5,600 babies will be born this year with a speech, language and communication difficulty and that for many, that will have a negative impact on their life chances.
In 2007 a literature review commissioned by the Scottish Government into Communication Support Needs (Law, J et al 2007) identified that people with communication support needs were likely to be diadvantaged on a number of fronts:
To be unemployed or employed at an inappropriate level
To experience negative social interaction/communication within education, healthcare, criminal justice system
To be misjudged in terms of cognitive and educational level
To be victims of crime
To be convicted of crime
To have difficulty accessing information required in order to utilise services
To live in socially deprived areas.
Asking if the priority attached to communication is as high as it should be, Ann argued that unless there is a strategic recognition of the impact of communication
difficulties across society and a strategic response, tomorrow's babies will be condemed to inherit these disadvantages.
Afasic Scotland's campaign was asking the Scottish Government to find out whether, in Scotland, they can be sure we're meeting the challenge and getting it right for children and young people with communication difficulties.
PARENT'S BELIEFS ABOUT SLEEP
A Trainee Clinical Psychologist at Glasgow University is researching parent's views about their child's sleep problems, in parents of children with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder or Down Syndrome. If you wish to participate, please click
here
NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2008
As part of Afasic's 40th anniversary celebrations a national conference was held on Thursday 6th November 2008. Speakers included Professor James Law and Professor Amanda Kirby.
The venue was the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Heriot Watt University Campus.
AFASIC AGM 2008
For the first time ever the Afasic Parents AGM was held in Scotland. It took take place during the conference at Herriot Watt University on 6th November.
FLINT ATTENDS TRAINING EVENT
Flint, a hearing dog, recently attended a training event in Aberdeen with his mistress. We hope he understands more about human language as a result of his day (but he didn't get a CPD Certificate this time).
AFASIC MEMBERS: SURVEY
As Afasic celebrates 40 years of working on behalf of children and young people with speech and language impairments, Afasic Scotland is looking back over the last ten years and looking forward. As part of the forward-looking, we’re carrying out a member survey to try to find out what you think of what we’re doing, what services you value and how you would like to see the organisation develop in Scotland.
Ten years ago Afasic had active groups in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Fife. Ten years on we have a group in Edinburgh and East Dunbartonshire but the Glasgow and Aberdeen groups closed. Part of the survey asks you about groups and one idea we have is to develop the website to encourage a Parents Online group and your thoughts on this or other ideas would be welcomed. If you want to find out more about our local groups, you will find information and contact details on the website.
You will notice that Afasic is now registered as a charity in Scotland as a requirement of the new Scottish charity regulations. However, although we use "Afasic Scotland" for our operations and activities here, and raise the funding to maintain and develop our work here with the support of staff in Scotland, Afasic Scotland is still an integral part of Afasic UK.
Funding remains our biggest challenge. It is critical that whatever funds we successfully raise go to providing the services you value. Please take the time to complete and return this survey as your views and your support are critical to our work.
The Survey form, and the Parent Support document may be found here.
Thank you for your help and support.
AFASIC EMPLOYABILITY SURVEY
Afasic Scotland wants to find out what happens to young people with SLI in Scotland when it comes to finding work.
There is a survey on the Policy and Research web page.
Please encourage young members to have a look at this, and if they choose, to fill it in on-line.
We need to know how to help!
RESOURCES FOR GROUPS
Afasic Scotland holds resource materials that local groups can access. Please contact the Dundee office for details.
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