What is Total Communication?

Total Communication is the term used to describe the use of pictures,objects,signs,gestures and spoken word to enable people to express themselves and understand what is being said.

It is evidence based and has many methods in addition to easy read/accessible communication, which only targets people with a mild/moderate Learning Disability. The majority of people with a learning Disability in Brighton and Hove require additional communication supports in the form of Total Communication approaches.

(from Total Communication Minibook by Helen Sanderson Associates)

We had a Total Communication Launch Day

It’s good to communicate…

Nearly 200 people attended the Total Communication launch day at Hove Town Hall on April 27 to find out about different communication resources – from Communication Passports and Talking Mats to Intensive Interaction and Assistive Technology.

Visitors loved the Makaton signing and Social Story workshops, and enjoyed making peppermint foot cream, fruit smoothies and ‘All About Me’ collages. 

There were also films from Oskabright and tasty treats served up by Feast, a catering company run by people with learning disabilities based at Buckingham Road day centre.

Many  services and providers signed up to the Total Communication Charter Pilot, a set of ten standards to help carers and staff make sure they are using and continue to use the most relevant and effective ways of supporting communication.  

Look out for a booklet about the day coming soon that you will be able download on this website!

For more information about the Total Communication Project and the Total Communication Advisory Group contact the Total Communication Project Officer on 01273 295121 or email lucy.westcott@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Valuing People Now Standards for organisations that produce Easy Read information:

What are standards?
These standards are rules that can help when making information Easy Read.

What is Easy Read information?
Easy Read information is sometimes called ‘easier information’ or ‘simple words and pictures’.
It is a way of making information easier to read and understand for people with learning disabilities.

Why do we need rules?
• Rules for Easy Read information will help people with learning disabilities.
• At the moment, all the people who make Easy Read information have their own way of doing things.
• This can make it hard for people with learning disabilities because different pieces of Easy Read information can look very different.
• Sometimes people do not do a good job when making information Easy Read.
• These rules will help them to do a better job.

Words and pictures
Rule 1: Each idea needs both words and pictures – both pictures and words are important.
Rule 2: Pictures and words go next to each other – this helps more people to understand the information.
Rule 3: Make sure that it is clear which pictures support which bits of text.

Pictures
Rule 4: Pictures must be easy to understand.
Rule 5: Pictures should go on the left.
Rule 6: Pictures can be drawings, photographs or other images.
Rule 7: Make sure that pictures are as big as possible.

Words
Rule 8: Words must be easy to understand.
Rule 9: If you use difficult words, say what they mean using easy words.
Rule 10: Words go on the right.
Rule 11: Words must be written clearly – a font like Arial is good.
Rule 12: Words must be big – a font size of at least 14 point is good.

Length
Rule 13: Each sentence must be short as possible – more than 15 words is harder to read.
Rule 14: Each document must be short – more than 20 pages is too long

Meeting Dates

Newsflash - the Total Communication Advisory Group meetings are now happening monthly!

The dates for future meetings are:

• 1 September at 1.30pm - 80 Buckingham Road Day Centre, Brighton
• 6 October at 2pm –86 Denmark Villas, Hove, BN3 3TY
• 3 November at 2pm -86 Denmark Villas, Hove, BN3 3TY
• 1 December at 2pm -86 Denmark Villas, Hove, BN3 3TY

Anyone interested in promoting total communication is welcome to come to our meetings