Giving a voice to the silent

While we take communicating effortlessly for granted, there are many people who simply cannot get the words out, but luckily Interface KZN gives them a voice.

The non-profit organisation is based in Pinetown and helps people with little or no functional speech throughout KZN and the Dolphin Coast, according to Interface’s Casey Bieldt.

“We use augmentative and alternative communication (ACC) methods to help children and adults find ways to communicate so that they can be included in schools and society,” said Bieldt, who goes to Umhlali Preparatory School with one of her young clients who communicates through eyegaze technology on her computer, allowing her to control her computer using her eyes.

She said they are currently working with a number of people from around KZN who have a variety of diagnosis including autism, cerebral palsy, motor neuron disease, strokes, intellectual impairment and downs syndrome.

“While these people face a great many difficulties, their inability to communicate is possibly their biggest barrier in life. People often believe that because a person cannot speak, they do not think.

“We believe that everyone has a voice and it is our mission to find a way to make their voice be heard.

“Our occupational and speech therapists use a variety of specially made resources including paper based technology such as communication books as well as technological options such as specialised devices to enable people to communicate and unlock the hidden potential they may not have been able to show because they could not express themselves.”

She said the training and opportunities they provide are not only for the person with the little or no functional speech, but for their immediate network of people.

“Everyone needs to be involved to make it work. We train the parents, caregivers, teachers and therapists through our workshops.

“It is one of our aims to bring ACC teaching into the classroom so that everyone can participate.”

They also have communication circles which give the children and adults a space to come together and socialise with other people who, like them, communicate differently. It also gives parents and caregivers a place to support one another.

Anyone with little or no functional speech can come to Interface KZN for an in-depth assessment.

Interface gives workshops on ACC strategies, methods and classroom inclusion so if you would like to find out more or want to make a donation, contact Trudi Louw at 031 708 4237 or via email at ifacekzn@saol.com

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