When Youth Justice and Literacy Collide

Last week I attended the launch of "Back on Track" - a report on a recent "Speech Pathology in Youth (Justice) Custodial Education Project". http://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/library/SPyce_Report_FINAL_lores.pdf

It was a report of what Speech Pathology services are currently available in Youth Custodial Education (none) and what is needed to assist these vulnerable youths in their communication skills. (Significant numbers), as can be seen by the prevalence numbers below from the report

From Page 10 SPyce Project report

Table 1. The prevalence of neurodevelopment disorders. (Office of the Children's Commissioner, 2013:23)

Neurodevelopment disorder	Reported prevalence rates amongst young people in the general population	Reported prevalence rates amongst young people in custody
Learning disabilities (Intellectual Disability)	2–4%	23–32%
Dyslexia	10%	43–57%
Communication disorders	5–7%	60–90%
Attention deficit hyperactive disorder	1.7–9%	12%
Autistic spectrum disorder	0.6–1.2%	15%
Traumatic brain injury	24–31.6%	65.1–72.1%
Epilepsy	0.45–1%	0.7–0.8%
Foetal alcohol syndrome	0.1–5%	10.9–11.7%

Of significance is many of these youth are well below educational standard - suggesting poor skills in literacy, numeracy and using written information to understand or explore their world.

How do these young people access written information? 
What impact would it have in accessing the legal system? Think about:
- knowing what laws are, and what they mean for the individual;
- reading written statements or composing written statements;
- attendance at appointments with police, social workers, or lawyers;
- reading witness statements;
- reading victim impact statements;
- court dates and mediation dates;
- expectations following mediation or community service orders.

Easy English may assist somewhat in these vulnerable youth accessing the information they need now.
Cathy
cathy@accesseasyenglish.com.au 0466 579 855




Reference:
Caire, L. (2013).
Speech Pathology in Youth (Justice) Custodial Education Project Report.
Melbourne: The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited

Weblinks
www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2013/s3694873.htm

www.monash.edu.au/research/people/profiles/profile.html?sid=3672&pid=3478

Speech Pathology Australia www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au



www.theage.com.au/victoria/lessons-at-parkville-beat-school-of-hard-knocks-20120422-1xf4k.html

When jargon meets real life.

Long complicated written phrases are used too often in all parts of our lives.  Many times the phrases are convoluted and twisted ways for avoiding saying exactly what has happened or needs to happen.

Easy English makes sure you must write

• what it really is or what you need to do;
• how to do it;
• when to do it;
• who needs to do it.

 This is challenging for many people. 

Read how complex and jargon filled language impacts on Steven's life at  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-ouch-23423541  Also read some of the comments with this blog, as many of the comments advocate writing in clear, simple language!

Could you write a plan or letter in clear everyday language?


Ask Cathy at cathy@accesseasyenglish.com.au
Phone 0466 579 855

DisabilityCare

DisabilityCare Australia is the national disability insurance scheme - a new way of providing community linking and individualised support for people with permanent and significant disability, their families and carers.http://www.disabilitycareaustralia.gov.au/

Cathy is now a registered provider for DisabilityCare Australia. Talk to your case manager about  how to use the services of Access Easy English for training, assessment or implementation for communication or access to written information in a way you can understand, i.e. Easy English. Easy English  you may need,  could be written information for you to more meaningfully participate in your meetings to decide on your plan, or the plan that is developed, or other reports, brochures and information you need to make meaningful decisions for linking to your community.

Cathy  cathy@accesseasyenglish.com.au  0466 579 855