Dedication


This book is dedicated to the 32 volunteer Communication Partners (CPs) whose body of professional work during nearly 200 meetings with people with communication support needs over three-and-a-half years shaped and informed this book.


Uniting Communities CPs gave freely of their time and expertise to assist police officers, lawyers and witness assistance officers in creating strategies to assist people with complex communication needs during rapport-building sessions, police interviews, pre-trial meetings and attendances in Youth Court, Magistrates Court, District Court and Treatment Intervention Court. They assisted children, young people and adults who were victims, witnesses, suspects and defendants to provide clear evidence.


Most of their clients were people with intellectual disability, often presenting with other potential communication barriers such as autism and anxiety. Nearly all clients came from backgrounds of complex trauma; we know that history of abuse is more likely for people with disability than the general population.


Communication Partners’ collaboration with clients and criminal justice personnel developed creative and individual strategies to assist in the giving of evidence. Hopefully, this brief summary gives due credit to their work and is of value to ensuring people with communication needs continue to be provided with essential and appropriate supports to ensure access to justice.


Also acknowledging the people who lobbied passionately for a community consultation in 2014, developed the Disability Justice Plan, and implemented its actions including important legislative change in South Australia. This work was continued by the Communication Partner Service working group that developed the model, and Uniting Communities who provided a home and organisational support for the Service.


Lastly, acknowledging the Communication Partner Service team. The leadership and dedication of management along with staff’s enthusiasm, professionalism, and commitment towards working with volunteers and stakeholders has been truly exceptional.


The Communication Partner Service team


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