Safeguarding People who use Augmentative and Alternative  Communication (AAC) from Sexual Abuse / Victimization

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Project Updates

The following is a summary of activities undertaken by Speak Up as of March 2002.

Task

Update

Hiring Speak Up Project Staff

The following staff has been hired:

  • Project Coordinator / AAC Consultant

  • Evaluator

  • Website Developer

  • Consumer Educator

  • Consumer consultant

  • Sexual Educators (2)

  • Personal Network Facilitator

  • Technologist

See Speak Up Project Team for more information.

 

Advisory committee.

An international advisory Committee has been established with members representing a broad base of expertise in the fields of disability, augmentative communication, sex education, sexual abuse, and legal issues.  The first computer based forum meeting was held Feb. 25 – March 1, 2002.

Advisors include:

Pip Farrar            (University of Alberta, Canada)

Diane Bryen       (Temple University, USA)

Elise Nakelsky    (Crown Attorney - Toronto)

Susan Balandin   (University of Syndney, Australia)

Anne Abbott        (Person who uses AAC,  Toronto)

Paul Marshall       (Person who uses AAC,Toronto)

Fran Odette          (Education Wife Assault, Toronto)

Kim Knox           (Participation Apartments Metro Toronto)

Dick Sobsey         (University of Alberta, Canada)

Michelle Hurtubise  (London Intercommunity Health Centre,Ontario)

 

Survey needs of People who use AAC in Toronto area

A survey was developed and mailed to  139  consumers and agencies in the Toronto area. The survey was also made available via email.  24 surveys were returned and data is being analyzed. 

Information gathering included:

Biographic information

Communication information.

Needs relating to information and resources on healthy sexuality and the preferred medium for this information (e.g., discuss, audiotape, CD, Accessible website etc.)

Needs relating to vocabulary for sexuality, safeguarding, disclosures etc.

Needs relating to information about safeguarding. 

Needs relating to support circles.

 

Vocabulary resources.

The following has been completed:

Identification of vocabulary in the categories of:

  • Body parts

  • Sexual Health

  • Birth control

  • Feelings (words that are not in frequently used vocabulary lists)

  • People (words that are not in frequently used vocabulary lists)

  • Descriptives

  • Relationships

  • Sexual activities

  • Sexual Assault

  • Legal

  • Response phrases for disclosures

  • Slang words

Review and data collection of graphics to support vocabulary in different picture sets such as PCS and Dynasyms.

Arrangements with manufacturers of PCS and Dynasyms to work with Speak Up in developing needed graphics.

Agreements with manufacturers to share displays and device pages at no cost to consumers.  Communication pages will be available on manufacturer’s and Speak Up’s websites.

Design and programming of communication displays for Speaking Dynamically, Boardmaker and Dynavox products. 

Vocabulary will be field tested with the Toronto group prior to distribution.

Identification of sexual education and safeguarding materials for AAC users.

Materials are being collected in the areas of:

Sexual Education Resources for people with Physical Disabilities

Safeguarding Materials

 

Adaptation of sexual education and safeguarding materials for AAC users.

Key resource materials on sex education and safeguarding are being adapted (with the publisher’s permission) to make them accessible to AAC users who may have reduced literacy skills or who may be physically unable to turn the pages in a book. 

Resources will be available to people who use AAC and to community agencies on a loan basis. 

Sex Education for People who use AAC.

Speak Up is preparing group and individual information sessions on sex education for people who use AAC.  It is hoped that this service will be provided in collaboration with an existing community agency in order to merge and facilitate the transfer of skills.

Workshop for Sexual Abuse Counselors

Scheduled for May 9, 2002 this half-day workshop will provide sexual abuse counselors with an overview of augmentative communication, the challenges faced by people who use AAC and communication techniques that counselors can use when providing services to people who use AAC.

 

Presentations

Speak Up provided an overview the project at a workshop to address barriers to accessing the Justice System organized by Education Wife Assault in Partnership with the Woman Abuse Council of Toronto.   March 5, 2002

Set up Website

www.aacsafeguarding.ca

 

Communications

A brochure has been developed and is available for distribution.

A media launch for the project is scheduled for April 10, 2002.

 


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