Speech-Language Pathologists and AAC clinicians

• Work with individuals to document their communication accessibility supports needs as well as specific instructions they want to include about decision-making in critical situations.
• Document a person’s communication access requirements in formal communication reports and update as required.
• Encourage people to show their communication access document when accessing community services, especially healthcare, legal, financial police, and justice services.
• If applicable, encourage and facilitate individuals, families and support persons to develop supported decision-making arrangements. Check out “A Good Life” by Al Etmanski for guided worksheets.
• If appropriate, support individuals understanding and communicating with a social worker or lawyer to put a power of attorney in place for personal care (healthcare, housing, food, clothing, hygiene, and safety) or property (anything the person owns or has the sole right to use, such as money, a rental apartment, or furniture) in the event they become incapable and need another person to make a decision on their behalf. Check out our webinar, information and guidelines about power of attorney.
• Promote the development of policies, procedures and safeguards about the provision of communication accommodations and supports within key decision-making contexts such as healthcare, financial, social services, education, police, legal, justice sectors.