Service development to meet the needs of 'people with communication disabilities' in developing countries

Abstract

Purpose: In spite of the catastrophic consequences of impaired communication skills on the quality of human life, development of services for people with communication disabilities have low priority in health care and rehabilitation. Nowhere is this more apparent than in developing countries. The low coverage levels of the limited services which do exist in these countries, indicate a need to develop new and innovative service structures. It is to this end, given the limited literature available, that this review looks mainly at articles of a descriptive nature based on clinical experience. The review seeks to identify ideology which could be used to under-pin alternative service delivery and structures.

Method: Three collections of literature relevant to the topic under discussion are identified, one collection relates to impairment categories, one to disability perspectives and one to speech and language therapy provision. It is recognized that all three collections are needed to form a basis for innovative change, but this review aims to examine the latter collection only, referring the reader to items in the other collections, when relevant.

Results: The information reviewed is analysed for recurring themes and the results are seen to concur with many of the disability perspectives expressed in present day literature.

Key Words:

• speech
• language therapy
• communication disability
• developing countries