boardtalk Home: Community: Learning disabilities

BoardTalk - Communication boards for people with a learning disability

Mary Finneran - October 2012
gatewaytocare@kirklees.gov.uk

About BoardTalk

Nervous Do you feel nervous about visiting somewhere new, or somewhere you don't go very often?

Difficulty saying what you want to do Do you have difficulty saying what you want to do? Are you often dependant on someone speaking on your behalf?
Difficult to undeerstand Do people find it difficult to understand what you are saying?
BoardTalk If you answered yes to any of these questions then BoardTalk could help you. We have made boards which could help you when going to the library, doctors, hospital, bowling alley or when out and about.
Pictures and Symbols BoardTalk boards use symbols, photographs and words to try to help you if you can't talk or have speech that is difficult to understand. The boards can also help people to tell you what is going to happen or what you need to do. When you visit places using BoardTalk there should be a sign on the door or a poster at reception.

 
 

Using BoardTalk

Using the BoardTalk BoardIf you see the BoardTalk sign you can ask to use one of the boards by asking at reception. Point to the logo behind the desk, or show a member of staff your BoardTalk card.

You can then choose your favourite board to help you to say what you would like to do. You can get a BoardTalk card from libraries and your local Gateway to care. To use the board, all you need to do is put it on a stable, flat surface where you can see it and point to the image that describes what you would like to do, or spell out the words needed.

 

General Boards

Using the general boards The general boards can be used anywhere.

Opens in a new windowGeneral photo board (PDF 100kb)

Opens in a new windowGeneral symbol board (PDF 58kb)

Opens in a new windowYes / No board (PDF 52kb)

Opens in a new windowMoney symbol board (PDF 90kb)



Alphabet Board The Alphabet Board is useful if you can spell words to tell people what you want.

Opens in a new windowThe Alphabet Board (PDF 76kb)

 
 

At the library

Library boards Here are the library boards.

Opens in a new windowLibrary photo board (PDF 178kb)

Opens in a new windowLibrary symbol board (PDF 198kb)

Opens in a new windowLibrary 1 photo board (PDF 115kb)

Opens in a new windowLibrary 2  photo board (PDF 97kb)

 

 

 

 

At the sports centre

At the sports CentreThe boards will help you to say what activity you have come to do. You will be able to ask for help, find out the cost of activities and find out when they are taking place.

Opens in a new windowSports Centre photo board (PDF 671kb)

Opens in a new windowSports Centre symbol board (PDF 342kb)

 

 

At the Bowling Alley

At the Bowling Ali The Boards can help you to ask for your shoe size, ask for the lane bumpers to be used, ask for a drink or tell someone that the ball has got stuck and lots more!.

Opens in a new window Bowling Alley photo board (PDF 1114kb)

Opens in a new window Bowling Alley Symbol board (PDF 778b)

 

 

At the Doctors / Hospital

At the Doctors or HospitalGoing to the Doctors can be a stressful time. It can be difficult to understand and remember what the Doctor is saying to you. The boards could help the Doctor to explain what is wrong or what treatment you might need.

Being in hospital can be a difficult time too. There may be a lot of people asking you questions and telling you things. People may not know how to help you say what you want to say. They may not know how to help you understand what is happening.

These boards can help explain what is wrong or what treatment you might need. The Health boards have been made for you to use at the Doctors or if you are in hospital. But you may find that they are useful in other places. You could use the Food and Drink, Personal Care, Personal Things and Things to Do boards at home, at a Day Centre or when you are out and about.


Body Parts

Body Parts

Opens in a new window Body Parts Photo board (PDF 77kb)

Opens in a new window Body parts female photo board (PDF 142kb)

Opens in a new window Body parts male photo board (PDF 99kb)



Personal Things

Personal Things, Personal Care and Things to do boards

Opens in a new window Personal things photo board (PDF 116kb)

Opens in a new window Personal care photo board (PDF 82kb)

Opens in a new window Things to do (PDF 126kb)


Food and Drink

Food and Drink Boards

Opens in a new windowFood (PDF 205kb)

Opens in a new windowDrinks (PDF 168kb)

Opens in a new window Diets photo board (PDF 115kb)

Opens in a new window Nil by mouth photo board (PDF 96kb)


 

Tell us what you think?

Tell us what you thinkWe would love to know what you think about the communication boards so please fill in a comments sheet. You can find a comments sheet at the reception desk or download your comment sheet (PDF 155kb), fill it in and send to:

Hayley Mozley
Well-being and Communities
Marketing and Public Information
Kirklees Council
Civic Centre 3
Huddersfield
West Yorkshire
HD1 2YZ

Opens in a new window Comment Form(PDF 155kb)

Opens in a new window More information about BoardTalk (PDF 182kb)



If you want to practice using the boards you can get your own copy by asking at the library or sports centre.

 

A to Z of the website