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One of the heard
Some people are socially excluded simply because they cannot easily communicate with others, but technology can bridge the vocal divide
Estimates suggest that more than 10,000 words on average are spoken every day per person. This isn’t just about having opinions heard, the ability to communicate is the foundation on which all relationships are built – it enables emotions to be conveyed and helps fulfil needs. Without this interaction, life can be incredibly lonely.
For some, it is physical or medical reasons that make speaking difficult or even impossible. According to Scope, the disability organisation, 1.5 million people in the UK have a communication impairment and some 600,000 cannot communicate verbally at all without equipment.
The right to be heard
Sharon Collins, executive director of Scope services, says: “What if you couldn’t say ‘I love you’ to your partner in that moment when you feel you could burst with that emotion? What if you couldn’t tell your doctor if you hurt and where you hurt? Communication is not a luxury; it is a basic human right.”
Recent research for Scope funded by BT, called “No Voice, No Choice”, consulted with more than 160 communications aid users and their families. Their feedback: there is a ‘shocking’ lack of support. For example, one in four that need to buy their communication aid equipment gets no help from statutory agencies. Scope is campaigning to get greater government attention for their plight.
The Wheeltop Project has shown that when funding and focus is given, computer technology can help. This is a three-year initiative at Beaumont College in Lancaster, which is run by Scope and assisted by BT. A ‘wheeltop’ is a personal computer mounted on a wheelchair, enabling disabled people to have easier access to electronic communications.
The original model was designed for Natalie, a student at the college, who is able to use her wheeltop to communicate via voice-automated technology through moving one knee. From this starting point, the College is researching further developments to the wheeltop idea and has appointed a technologist to oversee the project.
However, barriers to verbal communication difficulties are not always an inability to speak words. Those that are housebound or immobile are restricted from having the kind of group social contact many of us take for granted.
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