Issued: 11 December 2006
Inclusive Communication Awards 2006
Good practice in communications with service users with learning disabilities continues to be recognised with the presentation of the 2006 Angus Inclusive Communication Awards.
The Joint Learning Disability Team - a partnership between Angus Council and NHS Tayside - present the awards to both staff and service users to recognise good practice and encourage joint working.
The awards are held annually and provide the opportunity to recognise the hard work that is ongoing in the area of inclusive communication within the learning disability service and share good practice within the area.
The presentation of the Inclusive Communication Awards 2006 was made at Lilybank Resource Centre Forfar by Tim Armstrong, head of strategic development and adult care services (2pm Monday 11 December).
Awards were presented for a range of categories and participants were asked to demonstrate the use of Inclusive Communication strategies to:
-
improve access to activities or services
- increase independence in activities
- support understanding of information
- facilitate informed choice
- meet a wide range of communication needs.
Tim Armstrong said: "I would like to congratulate all the winners for their excellent work. In addition I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Inclusive Communication Awards and made them such a resounding success. The entries were all of a high standard and demonstrate ways in which we are making communication better in learning disability services."
Susan Wilson, General Manager Angus Community Health Partnership added: "Good communication is essential as it gives individuals the opportunity to make decisions about their life and this initiative provides a sound base for supporting the development and use of inclusive practice."The award winners are:
- Poster Competition winner - Isobel Meikle (service user) runner up - Graeme Monro (service user)
- Inclusive Communication Project winner - Rachel Widdowson (staff member); runners up - Karen Beattie and Elizabeth McIntosh (members of staff).
- Most Innovative Communication Project winner - The involving service users in choosing staff initiative, where service users were involved in the interview process for members of the learning disabilities team.
- Accessible Information Award winners - Susan Brown (staff), and Sandy Milne (service user) runners up Carol Pirie and Bob Brown (members of staff).