Accessibility
October 2016
21
Communication Matters
Dr Hilary Gardiner, a speech and language therapist of over 35 years and general
manager of the annual conference of the Communication Matters (CM) charity, discusses
the association’s 30th Anniversary conference at Leeds University in September.
How does CM use conferences
and what are the challenges?
CM uses the main annual
conference as a place for everyone
involved in this specialist area
of healthcare, education and
technology (high impact low
density need).
It is a base for a range of papers
on research, professional practice
(education, health), showcasing
new technology and personal
experience (family and adult AAC
- augmentative and alternative
communication - users).
It is a challenge as we have
a wide range of experience,
knowledge, interests to get on
board with appropriate content, as
well as the challenge of getting as
many people who use wheelchairs
to be comfortably accommodated
and able to access any event/paper
they wish to go to.
The other objective is to provide
enough ‘non-academic’ , ‘fun’
workshops and entertainment
so that the whole event becomes
something special for people who
use AAC to attend and enjoy.
We try and provide arts
opportunities so delegates can
showcase their skills and use of
AAC to extend their experiences.
So, this is more than just about
a few streams of ‘papers’ and
workshops.
CN-10-16-AEM.indd 21
corporate money floating about,
rather we are funded with the
help of schools, NHS, colleges,
families, charities, and universities.
We need to put on a high
quality event to compete on an
international stage.
Dr Hilary Gardiner
One small example of our
inclusivity: we are having a
‘balloon free’ conference as one of
the delegates has a fear of them...
attention to detail!
What are your main challenges
with organising the conference?
Accessibility and inclusivity
and maintaining quality
(economically).
Typically we have about 30
wheelchair users staying for two
nights; some have to stay off site.
Even the biggest auditoriums
do not have room for 30 large
electric wheelchairs. Getting the
venues for nine parallel streams
close enough together for people
to move quickly between their
choices is also tough. The catering
has to take into account those
who find chewing difficult - so
again a wide range of options.
CM, this year, had a stage
performance as part of the
conference. Thestage@leeds made
this happen and accommodated
20 wheelchair users so that they
could attend a thought provoking
performance about disability
rights, by a playwright from
within the CM membership (a
Leeds university MA alumnus).
Not many venues around the
country could or would do that.
Most delegates are professionals
working within statutory services,
not businesses (except our
suppliers). There is not a lot of
And the main issues for the
charity?
All events are expensive to put
on and we are indebted to our
regular supplier supporters who
take part in the exhibition and
sponsor delegate bags, badges, the
programme, musical events, etc.
We have failed to find a major
national/international sponsor
from outside the sector e.g.
insurance, business or technical
companies who could help push
the conference onto another level
and market to new audiences.
CM also commits to
subsidising most of the AAC
users and their PAs (they have to
bring two) at some considerable
cost (nearly £1,000 subsidy
for one person and their two
PAs to stay the two and half
days). Many NHS and other
professional delegates are reliant
on their work funding their place
at the conference. The number of
delegates can be affected by the
amount of money available for
CPD within any year’s budget.
22/09/2016 14:46