Working together: my rights and multimedia self-advocacy

Samantha Bergin Goncalves (parent) and
Gosia Kwiatkowska (Senior Lecturer, University of East London)

Multimedia Self-Advocacy means speaking up for yourself using pictures, sounds, videos and text. Being able to communicate your views and choices is your right. It is important for professionals to listen to what people with learning disabilities have to say and help them to make things happen.[[[image-0 small right]]]

This presentation will show:

• How we use the Multimedia Self-Advocacy approach with young people and their families at the time of their transition into adulthood?
• Why we use pictures, videos, sound and text to create person-centred plans?
• What factors lead to a high quality service that enables people to have a good life?

The authors will demonstrate how the changing policy and the use of multimedia self-advocacy can bring positive changes in peoples’ lives. They will use pictures and video examples to demonstrate the positive impact that Multimedia Self-Advocacy can have on individuals, their family, and professionals that support them.

View Samantha and Gosia's PowerPoint presentation (PPT)

Biographies

Sam Bergin Goncalves is a parent of a young person with complex needs. Sam has always had a keen interest in alternative communication and explored many different approaches with her son Shane. Since introducing multimedia to Shane Sam has discovered numerous benefits both for Shane and for those supporting him. Sam works part time as a Keyworker Co-ordinator in Bexley. Sam is also on the steering committee of Greenwich Parent Voice and regularly fundraises for Charlton Park Academy where her son attends school.

Gosia Kwiatkowska is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Arts and Digital Industries at the University of East London. She teaches Multimedia Advocacy theory and practice, research methods and communication to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Her research is in the field of learning disability, media and communication. She joined the Rix Research Centre in 2004 and now manages the centre and the development and delivery of the Multimedia Advocacy approach.