New website launched to support children with communication disability
09 May 2006
Parent Point and Talking Links are two exciting new developments on the site developed by I CAN, the charity that helps children communicate, via unique collaborations with partners in the statutory, private and voluntary sectors. The enhanced site will be unveiled on May 16 2006 by Naomi Eisenstadt, Chief Advisor Children’s Services at the DfES.
Parent Point offers knowledge, ideas and resources for families to promote all children’s communication development and support children with a communication disability. Available resources include an interactive message board, downloadable songs and nursery rhymes, factsheets in seven languages, webcasting and information from other charities for families of children with a communication disability in association with other disabilities (www.talkingpoint.org.uk/parentpoint)
Funded by DfES Parenting Fund, Parent Point marks a voluntary sector first with content developed in partnership with 10 organisations all working in the fields of children’s disability, welfare and development.
Talking Links was conceived and developed in collaboration with Experian, the global information solutions company. It is a unique database that enables parents to search by postcode and find vital information about local speech and language, education and voluntary sector services available to support their child’s communication disability www.talkingpoint.org.uk/talkinglinks
Virginia Beardshaw, Chief Executive of I CAN said, “There is an urgent need for parents to be able to access comprehensive information on all aspects of children’s communication development and disability easily and from one place. For the 1.2 million families of children with a communication disability, finding information and details about local health and education services can be a confusing and time consuming process. Parent Point and Talking Links are prime examples of how the voluntary, private and statutory sectors can pool their expertise, work well together and build each others capacity.”
Annemarie Shillito, Head of Corporate Communications at Experian commented: “Experian is committed to using its resources, people and day-to-day business expertise to benefit communities on a local and national basis. The Talking Point project is a major step forward in helping families get the information and resources they need at the right time to support children with a communication disability and encourage the communication development of all children. We are delighted to have contributed.”
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For further information or for visuals please contact Kate Summerside or Laura Smith in I CAN’s Press and PR Department 0207 674 2754. (out of office hours 07746406123) Email ksummerside@ican.org.uk or lsmith@ican.org.uk
