Lines of communication … Jay Singh displays a communication board that Brimbank libraries launched last week to assist residents. 59363 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Natalie Gallenti
Brimbank Council in partnership with the North West Regional Communication Service and Nillumbik Community Health Service last week launched newly developed picture-based communication boards specifically for library customers.
The council said the boards would provide assistance in making language visually accessible for individuals who have difficulty communicating their needs verbally.
All the council library staff have been trained in the use of the boards and can now provide assistance at all service desks across Brimbank libraries.
Statistics from a Speech Pathology Australia report revealed 14 per cent of all Australians were living with a communication disability and that one in 500 Victorians were living with complex communication needs; including people with a disability such as down syndrome and autism, people who have experienced severe head injuries or people with degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis or motor neurone disease.
It is hoped the boards will also help people from non-English speaking backgrounds.
