Organisations

Disability Studies Unit (DSU)

Sri Lanka

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Faculty of Medicine
University of Kelaniya
PO Box 06
Ragama

DSU's aims and objectives are to promote CBR internationally and in Sri Lanka through education, research and disemination of information. DSU has disabled staff. DSU has a resource centre which is open to the public and an enquiry service which is accessible by letter or telephone. It also facilitates the training of speech and language therapists and conducts research on disability issues.

Children with Disability Australia (CDA)

Australia

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PO Box 172
Clifton Hill
Victoria, 3058

Children with Disability Australia (CDA) is the national peak body that represents children and young people with disability aged 0-25. CDA is a not for profit, community based organisation and has a national membership of 5000 with the majority being families.

CDA’s vision is that children and young people with disability living in Australia are afforded every opportunity to thrive, achieve their potential and that their rights and interests as individuals, members of a family and their community are met.

CDA works at the national level to progress opportunities and inclusion of all children and young people with disability living in Australia. It works to achieve these aims by:

• Educating national public policy-makers and the broader community about the needs of children and young people with disability.

• Representing children and young people with disability to ensure the best possible support and services are available from government and the community.

• Informing children and young people with disability, families and care givers about their rights and entitlements to services and support.

• Celebrating the successes and achievements of children and young people with disability.

Talking Mats

UK

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2 Beta Centre
Stirling University Innovation Park
Stirling
FK9 4NF
Scotland

The Talking Mats communication symbols tool is based on extensive research and designed by Speech and Language Therapists. It uses unique, specially designed picture communication symbols that are attractive to all ages and communication abilities and is used by clinical practitioners, carers and support workers in a wide range of health, social work, residential and education setting.

These symbols have proved effective for consulting children and young people, used as a stroke communication resource, or used to overcome communication difficulties for people with learning disability or dementia.

Talking Mats is an interactive resource that uses three sets of picture communication symbols – topics, options and a visual scale – and a space on which to display them. This can either be a physical, textured mat, or a digital space, for example a tablet, smart board or computer screen.

Intensive Interaction

UK

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Intensive Interaction is an approach to help build social and conversation skills for people at early stages of development. people with autism and people who have severe, profound or complex learning difficulties. They offier courses, training and consultancy and organise conferences.

icommunicate

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Speech, language and communication therapy information, activities and products for children and adults. icommunicate provides a wealth of information about a wide variety of speech and language disorders (such as apraxia, phonological delay, aphasia, dysarthria, stuttering etc), communication development, hearing impairment, autism, brain injury, stroke and acquired adult communication difficulties, special needs and learning difficulties, and assistive communication (AAC)