A Total Communication Approach Towards Meeting the Communication Needs of People with Learning Disabilities

The early moves out of long‐stay hospitals into the community for people with learning disabilities in Somerset (started in 1987) required O'Brien's five accomplishments to be put into practice. Since communication is fundamental to achieving such inclusive aims, there was an urgent need to find alternative and effective ways for individuals to understand and express themselves in their new environment(s), and for all those they were to have contact with to have access to the necessary training and resources to make it work. The resulting process subsequently became known as the Somerset Total Communication project. This paper describes the process as it has evolved, and identifies key elements, outcomes and lessons learnt to date.