Inclusive communication must be at the centre

We are moving in the right direction but there is still work to be done to ensure equitable inclusion for everyone in society.

The Conservative Leadership race has demonstrated the new norms of direct communication: to camera and through multi channels of social and traditional media. It is not always consistent, and little is overtly inclusive: do you see regular subtitles? Regular inclusion of British Sign Language or other community languages? The danger is the same messages get to limited numbers of people unless we work harder to change.

The Scottish Sensory Hub works to support positive standards for communication and language going forward. As part of the ALLIANCE this work has reach and influence across our membership and helps us to understand and address communication barriers. It will also support the growth of community languages but recognise that solutions will contribute to socio-economic growth.

I see that socio-economic growth in three main areas: firstly, the development of British Sign Language with other community languages; also, development of communication qualifications including mime, nonverbal skills, interpreting, translating, BSL, Makaton, Sign Supported English and agreed national symbols; and finally, boosting environmental or “technical” improvements like digital technology, hearing loop management, noise absorption and visual aids in public space.

It seems everyone agrees that improving the overall capability to communicate can only benefit society. Those improvements need funded like any other major change like mobility accessibility for example. It will also allow more confidence in the building of a rights-based society able to deliver the PANEL principles.

Successful impact from the Scottish Sensory Hub work would see growth in understanding and awareness of how critical accessible information and inclusive communication processes are to achieve integration. We would see increases in communication and sensory qualifications, more research jobs, better recognition for teaching positions, also growth in manufacturing and technical roles too. Seeing communication accessibility in the round would contribute to local business growth, national infrastructure, and the international demonstration of a modern, inclusive economy.

Wondering how easily that can be achieved, I personally see the need to reconstruct some overarching policy and approaches to connect the current policy gaps. For example, building on a human rights and equality policy would mop up the gaps that currently exist in separate, equality, communication, human resources, health and safety, performance management and vulnerability policies.

Thinking about how the world of democracy, engagement and involvement must strive for integration to create stronger communities (rather than reinforce segregation) such policies might need to specify commitment to wider visual and spoken language development across a number of community languages but very much including non verbal issues including symbols.

I am looking forward to following the developments, maybe leading some too.

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