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What are Blissymbols?Blissymbols form a system of meaning-based symbols which can be used by people with severe difficulties in speaking to communicate without speech. The system has a large and flexible vocabulary and contains logical rules for expanding vocabulary and grammar. It is particularly useful for people with cerebral palsy and related physical disabilities who may find reading and spelling difficult but who may still require a system of communication that will expand beyond the more concrete levels of most pictorial symbol systems and will allow access to a linguistically flexible means of communication. For a more in-depth explanation of Blissymbols see the BCI web site. |
Blissymbols in the UKBack in the early 1970s, when members of the newly formed UK Bliss committee started to introduce and teach others about Blissymbols and their use, life was revolutionized for many people with communication disabilities and for their families and the professional teams working with them. It was the very beginning of “augmentative and alternative communication”. Today, the principles of symbol use and augmentative communication are well established and are practised in schools and therapy settings (although still a specialist area). Various other symbol systems and a range of technological communication aids have been developed. For the moment, the number of Bliss users in the UK is small, although the numbers of new child users continue to increase worldwide, especially in Scandinavia and Eastern European countries, and in developing countries. The role of Blissymbol Communication UK has been changing, gradually. It is no longer a revolutionary pioneer but a support organization providing valuable experience and information, and, potentially, input to specific project work, not only in the UK but internationally. The role of Blissymbol Communication UKThe main aims and functions of the small BC UK organization and committee are:
Specific members of the BC committee are actively involved in ground-breaking new project work in these areas; for example development work on a new 'Bliss Font' for computer that will allow for more effective Bliss communication electronically, worldwide, and for development of materials. Also, with Widgit Software, to reformat Bliss symbols so that they can link in as a bliss library to Widgit software such as Writing with Symbols. All members provide input periodically to working parties, for example to the International Symbol Development Panel, which, on an ongoing basis, develops new symbol vocabulary to meet the communication needs of users in different cultures, in a constantly changing world. The BC UK committee as a whole provides support for this work - practically, by facilitating annual meetings (and project subgroup meetings as required), and in the background by participating in discussions, contributing ideas/being a sounding board for new ideas, and providing support in a variety of ways. All participation in BC UK Committee and Symbol Development work is voluntary. For the year 2010, the BC UK committee's key development targets are:
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Blissymbol Communication (UK) |
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c/o ACE Centre | |
92 Windmill Road | |
Oxford OX3 7DR | |
England | |
Telephone: +44 7811 452 444 | |
E-mail: info (at) blissymbols.co.uk | |
Web: http://www.blissymbols.co.uk |
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