Being Seen, Heard, and Valued: What having a voice means

What does it mean to have a voice?

Having a voice means being able to:

• Say what you think and feel
• Make choices
• Be involved in decisions about your life
• Say “yes” or “no”
• Connect with the people around you

At ECL Basildon, a day centre for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism, staff recognised that three of their customers, William, Stephen, and Louise, each had strong personalities and lots to say, but needed help to be fully understood.

William, for example, is an avid Disney fan who enjoys chatting and sharing stories with others. He has cerebral palsy and a learning disability, and while he can speak, his speech can be hard to understand, especially for new support staff. This led to frustration and challenging behaviours. A referral to ECL’s in-house Clinical Team, specifically the Speech and Language Therapists, identified that his difficulty being understood was a significant barrier. It wasn’t that William didn’t have something to say; it was that people couldn’t understand him clearly.

Different ways of having a voice

Every person communicates in their own way, and every way is valid; it’s up to us to communicate with them on their own terms. Some people need just a little help. Others require more time, support, or technology to help them express themselves.

There are many brilliant tools and techniques that help people communicate, including:

• Makaton or British Sign Language (BSL): A mix of speech and signs to help people understand and express themselves.
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): This can range from a simple picture board to a high-tech tablet that speaks when buttons are pressed.
• Talking Mats: A set of picture symbols that help people express how they feel and what they want.
• Objects of reference: Using familiar objects to represent activities (like a cup to mean "drink" or keys to mean "going out").
• Eye gaze technology: Computers or tablets that respond to eye movements, so people can choose words or images just by looking.
• Body language and behaviour: How someone moves, looks, or reacts can be the clearest way they communicate. These cues matter just as much as words.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to communication; some people have a preferred method, while others may use multiple forms of communication. It is therefore crucial that a person-centred approach is adopted to identify an individual’s needs and motivations.

At ECL Basildon, a collaboration between the Communication Service East of England (CASEE), the ECL Clinical Team, and staff from the day centre, culminated in Augmented and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices being provided to William, Stephen, and Louise, who are all now able to take part in conversations and decisions in ways that suit them.

They took a genuinely holistic approach, working with the individuals and their families and using Talk Mats to help each person express their hopes and goals for communication, whether chatting with friends, expressing needs, or sharing feelings.

Why it matters

When someone can’t make themselves understood, it can lead to frustration, isolation, and anxiety. It affects their confidence, their wellbeing, and even their safety because they are unable to tell someone if something isn’t right.

When people are supported to express themselves, everything changes. They feel respected and happier because they have the freedom to make choices. They can build better relationships with the people around them and have more control over their own lives.

Since receiving his personalised communication device, William is not only expressing his feelings more clearly at the day centre but is also using it to chat with peers.  He told us,

“Before I had my device, I felt frustrated because I couldn’t get my point across. Now I can interact more with a wider range of people, and I feel more confident in group settings.”

Stephen, who has a mild learning disability and cerebral palsy, said that his AAC device helped him be part of decisions about his care after the death of his mum. He also uses it to enjoy banter with his friends. At the day centre, he recently joked during a quiet moment, “Is something wrong?”, then burst out laughing. Being able to voice his thoughts allows Stephen’s cheeky personality to shine through.

Louise, who has minimal speech, now uses her device to start conversations with her peers, something that wasn’t previously possible. She said,

“Before, I wasn’t acknowledged by my peers because they didn’t understand my signing. Now I can use the tablet—it gives me a voice to speak to friends and staff at the day centre.”

Making it part of everyday life

Giving someone a communication tool isn’t enough on its own. To truly make a difference, it must be an integral part of everyday life and used regularly in authentic scenarios. It also needs to be supported by people who understand it and kept up to date with words and phrases that reflect what matters to the person.

Training for support staff and family members is essential. At ECL Basildon, support workers and family members were trained on how to use AAC devices and how to integrate them into daily routines, ensuring they’re ready, charged, and always part of the conversation.

Finally…

Giving someone a voice isn’t about being kind or doing a good deed. It’s about doing what’s right. Everyone, regardless of their level of need, has thoughts, preferences, and feelings that deserve to be heard.