Scope awards Communication Access Symbol to 1800RESPECT

1800RESPECT has been awarded the Scope Communication Access Symbol. The symbol is awarded to organisations that demonstrate improved access for people with communication difficulties.

1800RESPECT, the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service, has been awarded Scope’s Communication Access accreditation.

The symbol was awarded after 1800RESPECT staff completed Scope’s two-year Communication Access training program.

Scope pioneered the Communication Access Symbol and accreditation standards as a means of promoting inclusion and making communication accessible for those who live with communication disability.

The Communication Access Symbol is awarded to organisations that demonstrate improved access for people with communication difficulties. It has been awarded to more than 200 Victorian businesses and services since 2011 and is live in the states of New South Wales and South Australia.

Scope CEO Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald says the aim of Scope’s communication access program is to make businesses and services fully accessible for everyone, including people with communication difficulties.

“We know 1 in 7 Australians will have a communication difficulty at some stage in their life. The aim of Scope’s communication access program is to create a more inclusive society where people with communication difficulties are supported to communicate successfully, getting their message across in a way that works for them,” says Dr Fitzgerald.

“I congratulate the 1800RESPECT service for its commitment to inclusion. This is the first step to ensuring Australians with a communication disability can access the supports they need if impacted by violence and abuse.”

“We are very proud to receive this accreditation,” said 1800RESPECT General Manager Paul Moger, “it shows our ongoing commitment to making the service as accessible as possible to anyone impacted by abuse. This is part of the incredible work coming out of the two year Disability Pathways Project which has seen improvements to our service delivery to benefit all Australians.”

The symbol will appear on the 1800RESPECT website from today, coinciding with the launch of the Disability Support Toolkit: https://www.1800respect.org.au/inclusive-practice/disability-support-toolkit/

For more information on communication access and Scope’s Communication Access Symbol, visit: https://www.scopeaust.org.au/service/communication-access/  - Video and Auslan available.

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At Scope, we see the person. Our mission is to enable each person to live as an empowered and equal citizen.

We are one of Australia’s leading providers of support services for adults and children with disabilities, autism or developmental delays. We work with corporate and community organisations to create a more inclusive society for people with a disability.