Three UK writers were honoured for their winning contributions to the Many Stories, One Voice writing contest, an initiative of ISAAC’s LEAD AAC ProjectTelling Stories
On October 23, 2008, Communication Matters, a leading UK charity concerned with people who cannot speak, honoured three people with a very special literacy talent by inviting them to read their work at Downing Street. These individuals communicate and write through Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC), making their story-writing ability both exceptional and unique.
To achieve this honour, all three writers took part in an international writing competition hosted by the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Society (ISAAC). Sean Lucas, aged 7, from Swindon, said he was “full of joy and excited” to have heard he was winner of the International Youth award announced at ISAAC 2008 in Montreal last August, with his entry, M16 Rescue. The international adult winner was Barsha Battacharya from India.
Toby Hewson receiving award (on behalf of Sean Lucas) from the Rt. Hon. Alistair Darling, M.P.
All UK entries were returned to Communication Matters, the UK branch of ISAAC, and judged anonymously by an independent panel. The independent panel included two young adults who use AAC, two teachers who work with children and young people who use AAC, and ICT specialist in Education and the founder of Widgit Software.
The judges confirmed Sean as the UK under 11 winner. Beth Moulam, aged 14, from Epsom, Surrey, won the age 12-16 category. She said, “I cannot believe it, I just wrote my story, Just Talking, based on me.”
Beth Moulam receiving her award
Alan Martin from Moreton, Wirral, an actor who has appeared in BBC 3’s, I’m with stupid, and is a professional dancer, said “I am amazed! This is really good news.” Alan won the 17 and over category with his story, Secrets. All the entries had to make reference to AAC and these three stories were selected on the basis of content, originality and structure.
Alan Martin receiving his award
In late October, as part of the International AAC Awareness Month, Communication Matters honoured all three superb entrants by inviting them to read their own stories at a public reading. Guests were invited to Downing Street with the permission of the Rt. Hon. Alistair Darling, M.P., The Chancellor of the Exchequer. As part of the proceedings Dr Nicola Grove, Director and Founder of the Unlimited Story Telling Company, which works with children with learning disabilities, talked about the importance of narrative in language development for all children.
In addition, all entries were showcased at the Communication Matters Annual Symposium at Leicester University,September 21-23, 2008, when delegates were asked to go back to their schools and local communities and arrange for public story readings of works by people who use AAC during October. All the UK stories can be accessed on the Symbolworld website: Communication Matters wishes to thank all of the writers for their unique stories and poems. These will inspire all those who are either learning to or do communicate through AAC in the UK.
Liz Moulam, Chair of Communication Matters, said, “This is an exciting opportunity to increase awareness of what AAC is and the needs of people who use AAC during the National Year of Reading. I would also like to thank Becta, who have kindly sponsored this public story reading. As an organization, Communication Matters was thrilled that over 25% of the international entries came from the UK.” Other entries originated in India, Cyprus, Australia, China, Canada, USA, France, Spain, Italy and Germany.
For further information contact: Communication Matters, tel: 0845 456 8211 or Liz Moulam, Chair of Communication Matters, 07742 886883.