The Scottish Government publication ‘Principles of Inclusive Communication: An information and self-assessment tool for public authorities’ highlights that people with communication support needs can face widespread exclusion and discrimination. It is estimated that over a million people in Scotland have some form of communication support need.

The document will help staff within public authorities consider the needs and experiences of people with communication support needs.  It is for:

• Strategic and operational service leaders
• Staff with responsibility for monitoring and improving performance
• Staff with responsibility for organising events and meetings
• Staff who are responsible for communicating information, in any way, to the public.

The ‘six principles of inclusive communication’ include:

• Every community or group will include people with different communication support needs
• Effective user involvement will include the participation of people with different communication support needs.