PEOPLE who use equipment to help them speak are backing a push for greater acceptance of the way they communicate.
An NHS Education for Scotland campaign is being launched today to raise awareness over the use of aids ranging from basic pictures, to iPads and sophisticated equipment such as that used by Professor Stephen Hawking.
It is aimed at helping people to understand the needs of those who have difficulties as a result of impaired or no speech and who use augmentative and alternative communications (ACC).
Called Now Hear Me - It's My Right To Speak, it will run for four months and is targeted at professionals in areas such as health, social care, social work and education, but also the wider community including shops, banks, public transport operators and leisure services.
The public awareness drive could help many of the 26,500 people in Scotland who require such aids and whose communication may be impaired due to conditions such as cerebral palsy or autism or as a result of a condition such as dementia, motor neurone disease, stroke or a head injury.
Methods range from the simple - such as picture communication, books and gestures - to more sophisticated computer-based equipment running specialist software such as text or other input-to-speech programmes.
The campaign is backed by Alex Macdonald, 16, of Hawick in the Scottish Borders, who is described as within the autistic range, has speech difficulties from an unknown cause and uses his iPad to communicate. He said people should allow more time to hear him speak.
He said: "People don't understand me unless I use my iPad or Windows tablets, but I also like using them because I can play games, look up YouTube and do other things that help me socialise with friends and others.
"It would really help me if there was wider acceptance of this as a method of communication with people allowing me to take the time that I need to speak."
To support the campaign, a new website, www.nowhearme.co.uk, has been created. It provides easy access to essential resources for all those with an interest in AAC, including those who use it.
Online advertising and direct communication to a wide range of Scottish public services such as health boards and local authorities is also included.
Rachael Monk, 31, from Dumfries and Galloway, has cerebral palsy. She said technology allows her to "voice concerns, make choices, tell jokes, and chat with friends, like anybody should be able to do".
"My communication aid has made a huge difference to my quality of life," she said. "I attended college and obtained an A level in Fine Arts, I have given speeches at conferences, and I am able to speak up in meetings."
Helen McFarlane, programme director, said: "AAC has incredible potential to improve quality of life, allowing individuals to express themselves, be more independent and, importantly, enabling them to communicate with the people who love them.
"But there are no magic fixes. Different systems will work best for different people. What matters most is the support of the community and taking time to listen.
"Very often, I meet individuals who use AAC who tell me that they can express themselves but they need people to be just a little more patient."
Michael Matheson, Minister for Public Health, said: "Everyone has a fundamental right to be heard. Most of us are fortunate enough to be able to take this for granted, but for some it can be a daily struggle.
"I call on everyone, but especially people who work with the public, to find out more about what they can do to help ensure this right is respected and guaranteed across Scotland."
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