Comm Aid Provision

Newcastle upon Tyne and North Tyneside

We have supplied communication aids and speech aids to Newcastle residents since 1985 and also cover North Tyneside laryngectomees. This service is funded by Newcastle and North Tyneside PCTs and Newcastle Education Authority and provision is not "means tested".

Communication aids and speech aids enable people with severe speech impairments to communicate more effectively. This improves the quality of life of the communication aid user, their family and any carers. Some specific benefits for users, families and society are:

• increased personal autonomy
• easier integration with, and contribution to, family life
• wider participation in society
• improved access to educational and employment opportunities
• reduced stress and depression for users, families and carers.

Equipment covered

• Personal speech aids, eg. amplifiers, artifical larynges
• Communication aids for conversation
• Writing aids for children with a writing disability due to physical impairment
• Communication training aids

Population covered

1. Children and adults normally resident in Newcastle, with communication difficulties due to a speech and language impairment, who need a personal communication and/or speech aid, and are not covered by other statutory provision.
   
2. Children normally resident in Newcastle who, due to a physical disability, have a special educational need to use assistive technology for written work (text, diagrams, etc.), in order to follow the curriculum.
   
3. North Tyneside residents who have had a laryngectomy at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.
   

Download further information - pdf files:
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Communication aid provision - Summary
Communication aid provision - Full Leaflet 
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Communication aid provision - Summary
Communication aid provision - Full Leaflet