Involving people in discussions about their healthcare and wellness is essential to patient safety at AHS. When using Communication Access strategies, we partner with people who have speech, language and hearing difficulties to improve their healthcare experience and outcomes. This involves working to help people understand and also be understood using various types of communication. Communication includes speaking, listening, sign language, gestures and body language, writing, drawing, sharing pictures or using tablets and speech generating devices.
Communication Access is what we do to improve two-way communication with patients who have speech, language and hearing needs. But what is the impact of a communication need on patients? Read our overview.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, people with communication difficulty are especially vulnerable. In this three-minute video, a Speech Language Pathologist explains how people with communication difficulties are impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic and what you can do to help.
Six helpful strategies you can use in your day-to-day conversations in this five-minute Communication Access video.
Displaying the Communication Access Symbols helps people with communication difficulty know that you will do what you can to accommodate them. This resource will help you know when and how to display the symbols.
Learn more about Communication Access and resources available to you by visiting our pages below.
