As from 19 March 2018 the AAC law started, which means that every health board in Scotland must  provide AAC equipment and support to children and adults who require AAC to communicate.

There was a lot of work put into making AAC the law for many years, from speech therapists, people who use AAC, lawyers, people from different organizations and people from the Scottish Parliament to make this law happen. Also, as I am a AAC user, I was very involved in making AAC the law myself.

For many years I have been a part of a few AAC steering groups, spoke at a few conferences, met people from Scottish Parliament and a lot more. It was really important to me to be really involved in making this law happen, because I know how difficult having no voice and not be able to talk is. Although, I am one of lucky ones who got a Communication device and support no problem! But I know that there are people out there who had to fight for their Communication devices or AAC support and that’s not right at all. No one should have to fight for their own voice, but this new law should make things better for those who had to fight before.

Some people who are reading this may think oh ok no big deal!  But this law is a big deal for so many people in Scotland because AAC opens up a new world for so many people who can’t talk themselves.

A very good example of how AAC changes people’s lives for the better is Steven Hawking. Steven had MND from a very young age and due to having MND lost his voice and therefore he used a Communication device to communicate. And without AAC Steven wouldn’t have done half of the things that he did in his life. People see Steven as the greatest scientist ever but for someone like myself who uses AAC, Steve was someone who I looked up to and think well, he was disabled and used AAC like me and he did a lot of amazing things in his life, so there’s nothing stopping anyone from doing anything. So having this law in Scotland is really important to lots of people.

I have been using Communication devices from a young age, so if I needed a Communication device the education board always funded my Communication device without problems. But it was a big worry for me once I left school that I wouldn’t get any funding for any Communication devices in the future, but like I said before I am one of these lucky people who got funding and support from a speech therapist to get a new Communication device. But it always worries me that someday I won’t get any help or funding for any future Communication devices. But now, with this law in place I feel    like that I don’t need to worry any more that will I get funding.

Another part of the AAC law is the time factor and what I mean by that is, if someone loses their voice, they should get help from a speech therapist and any equipment that they need to communicate right away (like the next day) because no one must go for a long period of time without being able to speak, no way at all.

Also, making awareness of AAC is a big part of the law. Making awareness of AAC is really important in the new law too. Quite a lot of people out there don’t know what is AAC? Or what is a Communication device? Or how to talk to someone who uses a Communication device? And it is really a shame that a lot of people don’t know anything about AAC, because communication is the key to life! As I am someone who uses a Communication device I do get a lot of people who ask me what is that, meaning my Communication device, or people don’t know how to talk to me because I  use a Communication device, and that’s not right because everyone should feel comfortable to talk anyone that they want, so making awareness of AAC is really important to have in the new AAC law.

I hope having this new law will make Scotland a better place for people who use AAC because no one should have to fight for their own voice and everyone has the right to speak and to be heard.

To get more info about the AAC law

At Bobath we have been running a group called Teen Academy for many years now for one week in the summer holidays.  Teen Academy is for young people between 14-18 with cerebral palsy to come and learn and build up new skills like cooking or make-up or DJing and many more. Teen Academy has made a big difference to people’s life.

One of the girls who took part in last year’s Teen Academy, Abigail, contacted us to see if we could have a Teen Academy  reunion for everyone to come together to share their experiences of Teen Academy or just catch up with friends they made at Teen Academy.

So we are hosting a Teen Academy reunion on 11 April 2018 here at Bobath Scotland, 10 High Craighall Road, Glasgow G4 9UD between 12-2.

We are inviting everyone who took part in a past Teen Academy to come to catch up with friends and look back on people’s time at Teen Academy. And also we would like to invite any future Teen Academy attendees who are 14, or will be 14 before August, to come and get some information on Teen Academy .

If you are interested in coming along on the day please contact Jill at jill.clark@bobath.scot by 4 April or call the centre on 0141 352 5000. 

We look forward seeing you there.

Get on your bike

New blogger Bernie Hunter gives us an insight into what it is like to cycle with Free Wheel North

Free Wheel North is a cycling charity that aims to get people of all ages and abilities to get cycling as much as they can. The charity welcomes people who have never got the opportunity to cycle before, this may be because they think that all bikes have two wheels and are nervous to learn to ride a bike in case they have a accident. This is not an issue at Free Wheel North as they have a wide range of different style of bikes – bikes with three or four wheels are available which are suitable for people with a disability.

 

The organisation is based in Glasgow Green, they have a cycle track beside the play park and the track is especially for people who are cycling with Free Wheel North. People are only allowed on the track using their own bikes after the charity closes so this means that they are not too many bikes on the track at the same time. It is open on weekdays 10am – 5pm, closed Saturdays and open Sundays 12 – 5pm. Outwith the opening times, Free Wheel North is open all year round, even throughout the winter months but closes at the earlier time of 3pm as it gets dark in the afternoons. People are welcome anytime without booking before coming but if there is a group coming, it is better to get in touch with the organisers to let them know in advance.

 

There is a charge £1 to use any of the bikes that are available and cycle on the track for a limited time, if it is busy. They are a selection of adapted bikes for people who have additional needs, the bikes are fitted with wider pedals with straps to give more support and wider saddles with straps. This makes people feel more secure and they can ride the bike without any concerns. Most of these are trikes so they have very good balance, and bikes are available for people who are in a wheelchair who are not able to use their legs, to ride a bike by themselves. These bikes are adapted so that people have the option of transferring into a seat which is attached to a bike and the support workers, can ride the bike for them.

 

This is an amazing activity to do and no one has to ever miss out on cycling, no matter what their needs are. Free Wheel North is a fantastic charity, the staff members are so helpful and they will do their best to get the bike that suits people best, it really is a great opportunity to get cycling!

Find out more at: http://www.freewheelnorth.org.uk/