Abstract of T. Lebel lecture

T. Lebel

TRAINING COMMUNICATION FACILITATORS OF PEOPLE WITH

COMPLEX COMMUNICATION NEEDS

T. Lebel

University of Haifa, Israel

Communication, in all of its many forms, is valuable when utilized for

interacting with others. Augmentative and alternative communication

(AAC) is designed to enable people with complex communication

needs to express themselves, and to participate in all of their daily

activities. Research has shown that the success of the interactions of

people, who communicate through the use of AAC, is largely

dependent on the strategies and support they receive from their

conversational partners. The study that will be presented is part of a

larger formative evaluation of a training program administered at Beit

Noam, a day center for young adults with developmental disabilities,

many of whom experience significant difficulties in communication.

Participants included 26 volunteers (youths in the National Volunteer

Service) who were integrated as regular workers in Beit Noam, and

accompanied the students to all of their various activities. Since most

of the activities in this facility occur in groups, the need arose to

enable students who are not verbal to participate and be heard. The

role of communication facilitator was developed, to serve as a

mouthpiece for students who communicate through AAC, and

mediate, from a communication's perspective, between them and the

environment. The communication facilitators do not speak on behalf of

the AAC users, but rather amplify their expressions to all other group

members. The study follows the development of volunteers'

perceptions regarding their role as facilitators while considering the

contribution of the program designed to improve their abilities to

enable the students' to carry out communication.