Pictures and objects of reference – Painting, photographs, sculptures, architecture, and ornaments can communicate messages and emotion to people. People often take photographs or buy souvenirs to remind them of the happy experiences and emotions they have had.
Communication passports – There are usually books that contain practical information about a person. The passport can help health and care workers to understand the personal and communication needs of a person with communication difficulties. Communication passport can also have photographs or drawings that may help care worker understand the person who owns the passport.
Technological aids to communication – Information technology offers a wide range of facilities to help with communication. It is possible to provide enlarged visual displays or voice feedback for people with impairment. Electronic aids to communication can turn speech into writing such as the minicom for people with a hearing disability or voice typing for people with dyslexia. At simple levels, aids such as flash cards or picture books can also improve communication with people who do not use a spoken or signed language.
Human aids to communication – Many service users will have specific communication needs. It may important to employ an interpreter if a service user uses different language such as BSL. Some carers learn to use communication systems such as Makaton, in order to help them communicate with carers.
The main environmental factors to be considered are setting, noise level, seating and lighting.
Setting – The setting in which communication takes place can have a major effect. It is important to try to assess whether or not the setting is appropriate for the type and content of communication that is going to take place. If there are personal or sensitive matters to discuss, a private setting should be found. If there is to be a talk to a group of people then an appropriately sized room is needed.
Noise – Noise can distracts many people such as loud music and other sorts of sounds and these can also can affect older people and may effect there hearing but many young people happily work with loud music in the background.
Seating – The way that people are seated in relation to others can influence how they communicate.
Lighting – Lighting can be important. Poor lighting may mean that clues from facial expressions or body language are cannot be seen. Anyone relying on being able to lip-read the speaker needs good lighting to see his or her mouth. Sometimes glare from the sun or certain types of light may cause reflection. If there is a strong light behind a speaker then their face may be hidden.
Behaviour – The behaviour of both the speaker and receiver of information can affect communication. All communication is best undertaken in a good atmosphere. The main behaviour to be considered is attitude, assertiveness, aggressiveness, submissiveness; responses to behaviour; effects on identity, self-esteem and self-image of others.
Attitudes - Individuals’ beliefs, feeling, values and tendencies can cause them to respond in certain ways. People are sometimes described as having negative or positive attitudes. Knowing what attitude someone holds may influence the way in which any communication is undertaken. The attitude of both the speaker and recipient can affect the content and the manner of the communication.
Assertiveness - assertive behaviour in where people are able to stay in control and their own emotions and to stand up for themselves. Assertiveness includes warm and relaxed tone of voice, open and varied eye contact, relaxed facial expressions and a posture that conveys a sense of being in control.
Aggressiveness – if a person is determined to get their own way, even at the expense of others, they may show aggressiveness. The dominant behaviour that seeks to humiliate or put other down and people often express anger.
Submissiveness – submissive behaviour is shown when a person is willing to carry out the wishes of others. Non-verbal behaviour associated with submissiveness includes a quiet tone of voice, not making eye contact or looking away, frightened or anxious facial expression and submissive posture.
Responses to behaviour – there are different types of behaviour provoke different responses from the person on the receiving end. The interactions that occur during communication for example, if someone has a negative attitude to a proposal, much more effort may be required to persuade him or her to agree, while a positive attitude may allow the conversation to move more swiftly.
