An exploration of the involvement of people who have aphasia in service delivery

The researcher works in the voluntary sector and is aware that there appears to be little involvement of people who have aphasia in service delivery activity (paid or unpaid work that helps others in some way) other than that linked with aphasia or stroke specific organisations, or with speech and language therapists. The WHO acknowledges the importance of participation (WHO 2001) and current UK legislation (Health and Social care Act 2001) supports the increased involvement of patients and public in health and social care. The Disability Discrimination Act (2004) expects reasonable adjustments to be made to engage people with disabilities in activity. There are many challenges for people with a range of disabilities when they are involved in service delivery activity. Aphasia presents particular challenges; knowledge of its existence is low (Code 2001) and there is lack of knowledge of the nature of aphasia which prevents people from making the necessary adjustments required to facilitate engagement in service delivery activity. For many aspects of service delivery communication is at the core, it is the channel through which any recruitment, consultation or involvement takes place. In order to understand more about the issues for organisations and people who have aphasia when involved in service delivery activity this qualitative study explores the involvement • to identify the roles within the involvement • to identify the effects of this involvement • to identify barriers to effective engagement • to identify the requirements for effective engagement Involvement is explored in a variety of types of service delivery which include • policy making for local health, social and community services • service provision as volunteers or paid employees • training and education • researc