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Table of Contents

 

The Right to Communicate

Communication Disabilities

Communicating in Different Ways

Communication Barriers

General Tips for Providing Communication Access

Communicating with a Person who has a Communication Disability

• If the person uses a communication board or book
• If the person uses a speech-generating device
• If the person’s speech is unclear
• If the person is having difficulty understanding speech
• If the person is deaf or has a hearing loss
• If the person is deaf and blind
• If the person uses a communication assistant

Special Situations

• Communicating over the telephone
• Written communication
• Making text materials accessible
• Decision-making and consent
• Obtaining signatures
• Privacy

Communicating in Essential or Emergency Situations

Checklist for Communication Access

Resources and Organizations

 

This booklet is intended to inform businesses and organizations about providing accessible goods and services to people who have communication disabilities, and may be a helpful resource in complying with the customer service standard under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).

For information about Ontario’s accessibility standards, go to :www.AccessON.ca

The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario acknowledges the contribution of Augmentative Communication Community Partnerships — Canada and its volunteers — Kelly McKenzie, Aura Kagan, Shelley Deegan, Cathy Proll, Elizabeth Bloomfield and those who contributed photographs — in the development of this booklet.

2009

Ce document est également disponible en français.

© Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2009
ISBN 978-1-4435-0421-8 (Print)
ISBN 978-1-4435-0422-5 (HTML)
ISBN 978-1-4435-0423-2 (PDF)