NGO helps non-verbal people have their say
Interface KZN helps facilitate communication for those who are unable to speak with their own voice. The organisation held an outreach clinic in Shongweni recently.
INTERFACE KZN held an outreach at a centre for disabled children in Shongweni on October 12.
In recognition of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness month, the NPO held a presentation for staff and parents of the Ntshongweni Centre for the Disabled, and then completed screening assessments on some of the children.
Interface is a recognised authority and advocate for the AAC program. The organisation was established in 1997, by parents, educators and therapists who understood that communication is a basic human right. The NPO offers assessments and therapeutic intervention, support and training to people who have little or no functional speech.
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An individual’s speech can be impacted by cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, stroke, traumatic brain injury, motor neuron disease, dementia, or childhood apraxia of speech.
According to the Interface website, AAC is defined as ‘any technique, device or strategy that supports or replaces speech. It includes speech-generating devices, typing on computers, sign language or gestures, manual signing, eye-blink codes and picture and alphabet boards.’
Project manager Trudi Louw said, “We support children and adults who have little or no functional speech, by providing therapy and training for them to use AAC. We do outreach projects where we provide services at childrens’ centres in the Valley of 1000 Hills, Action in Autism in Durban North, provide AAC therapy and intervention to multi-disabled children at Likhon iThemba in Crestholme, and facilitate an Adult Communication Group.”
The project manager said that the organisation assists approximately 100 patients on a monthly basis, through support, training or therapy.
Louw says it is imperative to have early diagnosis and intervention, although it is heartwarming to see patients of any age communicating with Interface’s tools and resources for the first time.
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The NPO is offering a free webinar on October 27, with an overview of the best communication AAC apps for IOS and Android tablets. Presented by Dineo Makgetloa and Avishana Sewrajan, it promises to be informative.
As Rosemary Crossley said, “Not being able to speak is not the same as not having anything to say.”
For more information or to donate, go to www.interface-kzn.co.za or email ifacekzn@saol.com.
Phone: 031 708 4237.
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