Table Of ContentCOMMUNICATING TOGETHER VOL. 11, NO. 3/SEPTEMBER 1993
ISSN 0822-0638
EDITORIAL
individual accommodations to the remuneration one receives.
SHIRLEY McNAUGHTON
life’s realities surface. Paul We have learned that the effect of
PETER LINDSAY
Marshall, Nola Millin and Kari one’s contribution can often
We knew that the topic of Harrington, offer us insights into provide much greater fulfillment.
Employmenfto r AAC users was the thinking they have done It is gratifying to be reminded of
complex. We knew also that personally and the adaptations this by our consumer associate
Contributing to the Community they have made in order to editors.
must be considered along with heighten their sense of purpose As well as our focus on
employment , but we wondered if and the meaning they bring to Employment and Contributing to
one issue of Communicating their lives. They have found their the Community, we return to the
Together would be sufficient to own unique paths, which may or topic of language development in
present the major issues. As the may not some day include SymbolTalk — this time, sharing
articles started arriving for the traditional employment. They a parent’s contribution. And last
various sections, however, we judge their own worth by the but certainly not least, we
began to realize that many contribution they can make to dedicate our Perspectives section
important aspects of the topic society rather than by pay to the celebration of ISAAC’s
were being identified. cheques. Their acceptance of 10th Anniversary. We are
From Janice Light, Betty their individual situations and delighted to share the Perspective
Stoltz and David McNaughton, placing of personal values above of Paul Hogan, creator of the
we have an identification of the restrictive societal attitudes set ISAAC Poster. We invite the
factors involved in successfully examples for us all. ISAAC members among our
employing AAC users. From Many themes keep recurring readers to take a second look at _
Rick Creech, we learn of throughout this issue: the central the poster after reading Paul’s
pioneering efforts toward creating role of employment in one’s life Perspective and to non-ISAAC
employment opportunities in the and in one’s self concept; members, we hope you will
USA and witness the strong society’s role in determining the decide to send for the poster (See
conviction of a prominent AAC expectations and attitudes relating ISAAC’s address on page 23.)
user concerning the right to work to work; the need to differentiate We hope this issue of
of every AAC user who is between making a contribution in Communicating Together will
capable of productive the community and making generate much discussion and
employment. From Rob Haaf, we money; the role of education in thought. As always, we welcome
are challenged to consider the job preparation; the positive side letters from our readers with their
direction our support services of “home” work; the importance reactions.
seem to be heading. Could it be of dignity and recognition for
Next Issue
that we really are beginning to what is accomplished not for how
Along with the primary theme of
focus more on the technology much money is involved; the role
Advocacy and Empowerment, we
than the individual? From Geb of volunteerism in job will have an extended section on
Verburg, there 1s a questioning of preparation; the ongoing need for Facilitated Communication Training
our basic assumptions. Must we professionals to examine their (FCT) with articles and responses
really derive our identity through own values and priorities to arising from previously published
our work? Do AAC users really ensure that they are not imposing articles by Rosemary Crossley and
Howard Shane. Short reaction papers
want to become “cogs” like the them upon AAC users.
are always welcome.
rest of us? Many of us have discovered
See you again in December.
It is from our associate editors personally that satisfaction need
Peter and Shirley
who are also AAC users that the not always be attached solely to
§
in) COMMUNICATING TOGETHER VOL. 11, NO. 3/SEPT. 1993
‘FIRST’ FOR AAC USERS
getting a Master’s Degree in
devoted to employment for
RIGKSCREBRCH
Speech-Language Pathology.
augmented communicators! I
Now that I have finished the
have never attended a conference
degree, I have decided I need a
in which we, augmented
broader work experience.
communicators, played an
Work has been very important
important role, let alone a pivotal
for me. It has given me economic
one. But, it happened in
control of my own life and
Pittsburgh!
enabled me to marry and have a
The First Annual Pittsburgh
family. Work was a dream of
Employment Conference for
Augmented Communicators mine from my earliest memories.
I always wondered what I was
(PEC@'93) was the first national
going to do. As I matured, I
conference held expressly to
realized there were important
address the issues of employing
barriers between me and the
augmentative communicators.
world of work. My wonderful
We have come a long way since
Rick Creech is well known in parents encouraged me to think in
the early conferences on
the AAC field as an AAC terms of career and family. I will
augmentative communication
specialist who not only articulates be eternally grateful to them for
back in the late 70s! Because I
what the challenges are but was one of the first users of a this.
provides a model of what can be Once, it might have been
portable voice output aid, I
accomplished! His book, enough to focus on getting
attended these conferences. The
“Reflections from a Unicorn” technology, both light and high,
questions asked at those
(Creech, 1992) makes an conferences would astound us to people with significant speech
important contribution to our and multiple impairments
now. Some people even opposed
understanding of what life is like (SSMI). Though this struggle is
the use of all electronics,
for an AAC user. Having nowhere near complete, other
suggesting more articulation
completed his degree in speech- therapy was the answer. Since struggles must take place as well.
language pathology, Rick now Training people to communicate
then, conferences on
works for Semantic Compaction with technology is an important
augmentative communication
Systems. His personal account of focus as well. However, in my
have focused on a variety of
the PEC@'93 conference helps opinion, the field of augmentative
issues such as interaction and
those of us who were unable to literacy. However, very little has communication must now focus
attend, feel that we were there! on getting successful augmented
been said or written about
speakers employed and keeping a
employment and augmentative
King Solomon once said that person employed who is
communication.
there was nothing new under the I myself, have a job and have developing SSMI. I am an
sun. Well, wise King Solomon had one for the past six years. I augmentative communicator, and
was not in Pittsburgh, I am capable of productive
am a writer, editor, presenter, and
Pennsylvania, August 19-22, employment. Since I am capable
beta tester for an augmentative
1993! Had he been, he would communication software of productive employment, I
have witnessed something that company. For the past four believe it is my right as a citizen
had never before happened in years, sixty percent of my job to be employed if I honestly and
~ history. An entire conference was description has consisted of sincerely seek employment.
COMMUNICATING TOGETHER VO NOns/ SEPT.) 1998 3
PEC@ '93 was sponsored by the Joseph Giglio, John Bernard, Pennsylvania OVR. The
non-profit organization SHOUT Pittsburgh District OVR conference had the. warm, relaxed
(Support Helps Others Use Administrator, and Bruce Baker atmosphere of a family reunion,
Technology). SHOUT, itself is a to discuss the hiring of an but a family reunion with 150,
pretty miraculous group. Made individual with SSMI at the people and 16 national and CG
up of an interesting assortment of Westinghouse WRD. Mr. Giglio international speakers! We did
various professionals including promised to spare no expense to not just listen to presentations; we
augmented communicators, its build the infrastructure inside communed together. We focused
mission is to study and advocate Westinghouse necessary to on the employment of
for the employment of people absorb an individual with SSMI augmentative communicators, the
who could benefit from in a totally, “gainful” position at a possibility, the practicality, the
augmentative communication to salary that would give this reality. I even had an opportunity
overcome significant speech, individual economic control over to speak for a half-hour one-on-
language, and multiple his or her life. one to Gil Selders, the Executive
impairments. Mr. Giglio insisted that his Director of the Pennsylvania
SHOUT began in response to a commitment was not just to OVR.
challenge from Mr. Joseph develop one job, but to open up Participating as discussion
Giglio, the manager of the employment for many people leaders at PEC@ were some “old
Westinghouse Water Reactor with SSMI. Out of the joyful timer” augmented speakers,
(nuclear power) Division (WRD) struggle to match an augmented Michael Williams, Jim Prentice,
in Monroeville, a suburb of communicator and a completely and I. Michael’s deeply moving
Pittsburgh. Bruce Baker (a gainful, professional position, a remarks contained advice
friend, colleague, not to mention, team of individuals came into close appreciated by the many parents
currently, my boss) was working association. The team included an of augmented communicators
at the artificial intelligence augmented communicator, an OVR who were participating. “Never
department of WRD. Bruce was district administrator, two linguists, give up on your child.” Jim &
scheduled to present the semantic several rehabilitation professionals, Prentice’s personal statement
compaction technique to three Westinghouse department contained an important truth
individuals building a database. heads, and people from United about augmented communication,
At Mr. Giglio’s suggestion, Cerebral-Palsy Associations “You must use the communicator
rehabilitation professionals from (UCPA). Today, there is a constantly and not just once in a
western Pennsylvania were invited professional, full-time employee while. Don’t get me wrong, I am
to this presentation. The with cerebral palsy who uses not saying a communicator makes
presentation focused on technical augmentative communication at Jim Prentice, but that Jim Prentice
aspects of language representation Westinghouse. This gentleman’s makes the communicator, and the
and retrieval. When Mr. Giglio name is James Prentice, and he was communicator helps me to be
gave the closing remarks, he made one of the session moderators at what I want to be.” (PEC@'93
a surprising announcement. He PEC@'"93. Proceedings p. 112.)
said that because this new language However, one job was not the Some of the new folk
technology had been originally mandate. The team needed to attending brought knowledge
developed for people with SSMI, extend its experience, strength, and from other fields. Mitch
he would hire at Westinghouse a hope beyond one particular position LaPlante, for instance, is from the
person using speech augmentation at one company. Thus did SHOUT broad field of medical stastistics.
equipment! as a Separate organization come He presented an important first
A few weeks later, George into being. look at how the major national
Lowe, the former Executive health databases might be used to
The Conference
determine the number of C
Director of the Pennsylvania
PEC@'93 was funded by a
Office of Vocational individuals who could benefit
substantial grant from the
Rehabilitation (OVR), met with from augmentative
COMMUNICATING TOGETHER VOL. 11, NO. 3/SEPT. 1993
communication and the number not limit career alternatives Four of the five who are still
of individuals with SSMI who are arbitrarily.” (PEC@'93 p. 15) In working have surpassed the
in the job market. Another new my opinion, students with supposed three-year life span
voice was that of Bob Seaver. disabilities must pursue an prediction post-diagnosis!
Bob 1s a pediatric psychiatrist educational route that will take Perhaps the high point of the
with a psychoanalytic them toward challenging conference came when the
background. Bob gave a vocational opportunities. augmented communicators came
fascinating presentation about In another presentation by together for a public round table
how families can cope with Karen Erickson of the Carolina discussion of employment issues
SSMI. Literacy Center, it was stated that facilitated by Jim Hollahan, of
Diane Bryen, a professor of the more years in school, the UCPA. More than a dozen of us
Special Education, presented a better the chance of a person with gathered in front of the
moving videotape of the total disabilities being employed. conference. We discussed what
immersion program at the Temple Karen suggested that education concerned us about employment,
Summer Institute. Lew Golinker for people with SSMI should be having the income that would
gave a stimulating paper from a employment goal directed. My sustain us, having the support that
lawyer’s point of view about concern is that predicting what a we need at work, getting the
employment in augmentative child or an adolescent’s interests equipment so that we can work,
communication. Janice Light will be and what kind of career he finding transportation so that we
presented the findings from a or she will want to pursue as an can go to work, and the joy and
survey conducted by herself, adult is impossible. The reason pride we feel in our work.
along with Betty Stoltz and David that we have liberal arts schools I hope that PEC@'93 will be
McNaughton. (Editors’ Note: and vocational schools is because the first of many such
See Feature Article, pp.6-9) some professions require a broad- conferences on employment!
In the Keynote Address, based education. I agree that we
D Sarah Blackstone, editor of should teach people with SSMI
Augmentative Communication the skills and the literacy that they
News said, ““Thousands upon will need in the work place;
Reference
thousands of people are employed however, we will have to take
Creech, R. (1992). Reflections
and working in the field of AAC. measures to ensure that it will not
From a Unicorn. Greenville, NC:
Employment opportunities have be done at the expense of
RC Publishing Co.
increased exponentially for providing a liberal education to
everyone except for our those who have the desire.
consumers. . .” This cannot be An important note was struck
allowed to remain true. by Melanie Fried-Oken of Oregon
Editors’ Note:
Professionals cannot give Health Sciences University,
For information about next year’s
augmentative communicators the Department of Neurology.
conference (Aug.12-14, 1994),
tools, the education, the skills, Melanie discussed how
and to request the ‘Proceedings
without taking steps to see that augmentative communication was
of the Annual Pittsburgh
doors of work opportunities are helping people with
Employment Conferencfeo r
opened as well. neurodegenerative diseases
Augmented Communicators,
One recurrent theme at the remain working. She told us
PEC@93, contact
conference was the importance of about seven adults with
SHOUT Press, 1000 Killarney
an education. In his presentation, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15234, USA.
John Leslie, Director of the (ALS). Five of these individuals
(1-800-934-4391).
Rehabilitation Engineering Center are still working, and one said he
on Employment for People with would have been working if he
Severe Disabilities, said that “The had known about augmentative
educational infrastructure must communication before he retired.
COMMUNICATING TOGETHER VOLMANONs/ SEPT» 8093 5
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE IT WORK?
@
JANICE LIGHT, BETTY AAC are not employed within communication systems (e.g.,
STOLTZ, AND DAVID the community. The high alphabet board, picture board).
McNAUGHTON, incidence of unemployment Just over half of the respondents
PENN STATE UNIVERSITY may result from attitudinal reported that they were
barriers within society, skill functionally literate (1.e., able to
limitations, lack of education read the newspaper and write
and job preparation, basic texts); the remaining
transportational barriers, respondents were not literate.
architectural barriers, The highest level of education
technology limitations, or other obtained varied across the
factors. One source of insight respondents: approximately
into factors associated with 40% of the respondents did not
successful employment is the graduate from high school; 30%
experience of people across graduated from high school;
The following paper was North America who use AAC and the remainder had an
presented by Janice Light at the and who have successfully undergraduate or graduate
First Annual Pittsburgh obtained and maintained college degree. The
Conference for Augmented employment within the respondents were employed in a
Communicators on Aug. 20, community. variety of jobs, including
1993. We are very pleased, with In 1992/93, Light, Stoltz, clerical positions (e.g.,
the permission of SHOUT and McNaughton conducted a secretary, data entry, mail
Press, to be able to reprint the survey of adults who use AAC clerk), laborers (e.g., mowing
g
presentation of the results of the and who are employed in lawns, maintaining gardens),
Light, Stoltz and McNaughton community-based jobs. Thirty- trainers, counselors, or
survey relating to community- one adults from across North educational aides (e.g., training
based employment for adults America responded to the clients on AAC systems,
who use AAC. survey. The respondents ranged promoting literacy among AAC
in age from 22-52 years (mean users, helping children in a
Employment plays a major age 33 years 5 months). Sixty- classroom), cook, janitorial
role in determining not only our five percent of the respondents work, consumer advocacy
socioeconomic status, but also were males; 35% were females. work, technical consultant,
our social identity. To a great The respondents reported a artist or writer, and
extent, we define ourselves and range of disabilities including augmentative communication
are defined by others in terms cerebral palsy, mental specialist.
of our occupations. To date, retardation, visual impairment,
there has been little research to hearing impairment, head Important Components
investigate the employment injury, and autism. The Results of the survey suggest
status of people who have majority of the respondents a number of elements that seem
severe speech impairments and used multiple means to to be important in securing and
use augmentative and - communicate in face to face maintaining community-based
alternative communication communication, including employment. It should be noted
(AAC). From anecdotal reports computer-based voice output that the actual constellation of
within the AAC field, however, communication aids, speech skills and support mechanisms
it is clear that by far the approximations, gestures and required for successful
majority of adults who use signs, and nonelectronic aided employment will vary across
6 COMMUNICATING TOGETHER VOL. 11, NO. 3/SEPT. 1993
individuals depending on their nonelectronic communication employment, the most
needs, skills, and job board, a computer-based voice frequently cited response was
requirements. output system, a stationary that they “had good skills” that
computer system, a powered were required on the job.
_ Le Communication mobility system, etc. Unfortunately, more than half
Successful communication Unfortunately the majority of of the respondents indicated
with co-workers and the respondents also reported that their educational program
supervisors is key to any job, significant problems with had not prepared them for their
including communication assistive technology, either jobs or provided them with
focused on work issues or problems obtaining the marketable skills.
communication of a more necessary equipment (e.g., It is well documented that
personal and social nature. funding limitations, paperwork employment criteria are rising.
Communication ts a bi- delays), or problems with The best hope for increasing
directional process: its success recurrent breakdowns and lost employment opportunities
depends on the contributions of work hours. Many respondents among people with disabilities
both participants in the also indicated that there was is to provide them with a
interaction. Not only do adults equipment in the work place quality education so that they
who use AAC need to learn the that remained inaccessible to can meet the increased demands
necessary skills to be effective them. If community-based of the labor market. We need to
communicators on the job, but employment is to become a recognize that preparation and
supervisors and co-workers also reality for the next generation of planning for employment must
need to learn skills to ensure AAC users, then cooperation begin well before graduation if
successful communication with and support is required on the transition from school to
the AAC user. The majority of numerous fronts: from work is to be a successful one.
employees surveyed who use researchers and product
Qu indicated that they developers to ensure access to a Positive Work Ethic
continue to experience full range of main stream Simply possessing the skills
communication problems on the technology in the work place; required to meet job
job: misinterpretation or from professionals to ensure requirements is not sufficient to
second-guessing by colleagues; comprehensive, consumer- ensure successful employment,
slow rate of communication, responsive assessment and rather the employee must also
etc. To date, AAC intervention planning; from demonstrate a positive work
interventions have largely funding agencies to ensure ethic, demonstrating
focused on school or home and efficient access to the necessary punctuality, regular attendance,
have neglected consideration of assistive technology; and from reasonable productivity levels, a
the communication demands of manufacturers to ensure the willingness to assume
the work place. Professionals reliability of assistive responsibility for assignments,
need to give greater attention to technology. etc. When respondents were
these issues in planning asked why they were able to
intervention if the transition Marketable Skills keep their current jobs, the most
from school to employment is The majority of the frequently cited response was
to be achieved successfully. respondents indicated that it that they “worked hard.”
was critical for the AAC user to According to the respondents, a
Access to Assistive Technology have marketable skills in order positive work ethic played a
All of the respondents to the to successfully secure more critical role in maintaining
survey indicated that assistive employment. In fact, when employment than job specific
@<chnology played a key role in respondents were asked why skills. Baker (personal
allowing them access to the they had been successful in communication, May, 1993) has
work place, be it a obtaining community-based noted that the lack of a positive
COMMUNICATING TOGETHER VORA MNOS /SPE I. 1995 u
person using AAC in the work
work ethic is more “handicapping’ ”’ satisfied with their jobs, they
place. Legislation such as the
for many AAC users seeking did indicate a number of issues
Americans with Disabilities Act
employment than the lack of that caused some
marketable job-related skills. dissatisfaction. The most of 1989 will help to increase
employment opportunities for
Instilling a positive work ethic frequently cited source of \ ©
must begin early in life with dissatisfaction was the limited people with disabilities by
positive home and school chance for advancement in their extending federal civil rights
expectations and appropriate current jobs. Most of the law to protect people with
feedback. This ethic can then respondents perceived that they disabilities from discriminatory
employment practices.
be developed and strengthened were employed in “dead-end
in adolescent years through jobs” with little opportunity for Ongoing public education is
volunteer and part-time work promotion. Exploration of job also required to change peoples’
experiences. opportunities for people who attitudes toward individuals
use AAC needs to extend with disabilities. Almost half of
An Appropriate Job Match beyond “dead-end” jobs and the respondents to the survey
There is a greater likelihood explore various career options. indicated that they had
for successful employment and experienced problems with
job satisfaction if there is a Interpersonal Skills peoples’ attitudes in the work
“good fit” between the skills Many of those who place (e.g., co-workers were
and interests of the employee responded to the survey talked uncomfortable or reluctant to
and the demands of the job. To about the importance of interact with them; co-workers
date, there has been only interpersonal skills: both to underestimated their
minimal attention to the job facilitate networking to obtain a capabilities).
options available for persons job and to facilitate positive
with disabilities who require relationships with colleagues on On-the-job Assistance
AAC. Traditionally, people the job. In fact, the majority of The majority, but not all, of
with physical disabilities have the respondents indicated that the respondents required some
been steered toward information they had obtained their current type of assistance at work for
processing jobs (e.g., data entry, job not through school or personal care or work-related
tasks. Of those that required
etc.), while those without vocational personnel, but rather
physical disabilities have been through a personal network of assistance at work, this support
directed toward manual labor family, friends, and colleagues. was typically provided by a
jobs (e.g., gardening, cleaning, Successfully holding a job over personal care attendant, a job
restaurant jobs). Adults who do the long term requires not only coach, a co-worker, or an
not meet the job requirements effective work production, but assistant. Most respondents
for these types of jobs have also positive relationships with required less than 9 hours of
been labeled “unemployable” colleagues and supervisors. assistance per week, with many
and sent home or to sheltered Strong social skills are required requiring less than 5 hours a
workshops. Professionals in the to build and nurture personal week. If vocational
AAC field need to be more networks of relationships to opportunities are to be truly
creative in exploring a wide enhance employment accessible to many people who
range of job options and in opportunities and to improve use AAC, then provision must
identifying strategies to the quality of life. be made for assistance related
overcome barriers to to personal care and on the job
employment for people who use Positive Social Attitudes training.
AAC. Successful employment
@
While most of the AAC depends on positive attitudes Access to Transportation
users who responded to the from employers and co-workers More than half of the
survey indicated that they were to ensure acceptance of the respondents to the survey
8 COMMUNICATING TOGETHER VOL. 11, NO. 3/SEPT. 1993
indicated that they experienced
problems with transportation
that was inaccessible or
unreliable and interfered with
AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE
their job as a result. Lost work
hours due to transportation
COMMUNICATION
problems are obviously
unacceptable. Cooperation
The Official Journal of the
from local, state and federal
International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication
agencies 1s required to ensure
that accessible, reliable
Editor: Lyle L. Lloyd, Ph.D., Professor of Special Education,
transportation is available to all.
Professor of Audiology and Speech Sciences, Purdue University
International in scope and transdisciplinary in approach, AAC presents articles,
Barrier-free Environment
case studies, position and research papers, conference abstracts, with direct
Approximately one-third of
implications on program development, assessment and intervention. A journal
the respondents indicated that that stimulates development and improves service delivery in nonspeech communication.
architectural barriers in the
work place were problems (e.g.,
Quarterly/$48/year personal/$75/year institutional (U.S. funds)
difficulty with entry to the
(add $10/year to subscriptions outside U.S.)
building, limited access to
various locations in the office). Mail to: Decker Periodicals Inc.
P.O. Box 785
Employers must assume
Lewiston, N.Y. 14092-785. USA
responsibility for ensuring that
the work place is accessible to
all.
COMMUNICATION
Conclusion
Assuring that these key
OUTLOOK
elements are in place will
require the active participation
and commitment of a wide
FOCUSING ON
range of people, including
consumers and families, COMMUNICATION AIDS & TECHNIQUES
researchers, educators and other
professionals, vocational
COMMUNICATION OUTLOOK is an international
counselors, system designers,
quarterly magazine which documents and celebrates
funding agencies, local, state
augmentative and alternative communication.
and federal agencies, employers
and co-workers. By working
together, we can ensure that the To receive a sample issue and subscription form,
employment opportunities send this ad to:
currently available only to a
few will be realized by many COMMUNICATION OUTLOOK Subscriptions,
more individuals who use AAC.
405 Computer Center,
Michigan State University,
For a copy of the Proceedings of the Annual
Pittsburgh Employment Conferencfeo r East Lansing, MI 48824-1042,
Augmented Communicators, PEC@'93,
USA.
contact SHOUT Press, 1000 Killarney Ave.,
Pittsburgh, PA 15234, USA. (1-800-934-4391) §
COMMUNICATING TOGETHER VOR aMeaNORS/SERT.1993 9
PERSPECTIVES
children served by HMRC, their @
Paul Hogan
Congratulations ISAAC!
He describes himself, with a siblings and children from the
‘twinkle in his eye, as a “post- surrounding neighbourhood. The
SHIRLEY McNAUGHTON modern, pre-apocalyptic, urban, Spiral Garden has evolved to
social ritualist, painter/gardner— become an “experiment in
but not really taking a lot of art combining pediatric rehabilitation
descriptions very seriously”! He with earth rehabilitation.” As
wants to help people to Paul describes his goals,
communicate and also to express “children who will ultimately
his own ambivalence about life inherit the earth are put at the
which he sees as a “very centre and those children who are
complicated matter (which is why wounded or ill and involved in
we have alternative languages).” rehabilitation are at the centre of
Paul Hogan I would portray him as a all the children.” Caring for the
Communicating Together sensitive, caring human being whole child rather than focusing
would like to join all the other who uses his artistic abilities to upon a specific impairment is a
associates of ISAAC in help others see and understand dominant theme. There is a
celebrating ISAAC’ s 10th their role within (in his words) the strong art component in the
Anniversary! Both Shirley “larger than human community.” Garden. Through their contact
McNaughton and Peter Lindsay, Of the many groups of people with the primary elements of the
co-editors of Communicating with whom Paul works and earth, “children are helped to find
Together, were present at the learns, the one that best helps him out who they are for themselves e@
founding meeting of ISAAC, as identify with the goals of ISAAC and to work from their own
was associate editor, Nola Millin. is the client population of the definitions of themselves.” It is
We have many wonderful Hugh MacMillan Rehabilitation hoped that they will “extend the
memories of the events occurring
Centre (HMRC). It was Penny same care given to the Garden to
in ISAAsC fi’rs t ten years and we Parnes, Vice-President of HMRC, themselves and to others.” All of
join with all ISAAC members, in who asked Paul to submit a this learning takes place through
expressing our pride in the proposal to the ISAAC 10th play and they are offered “a large
organizations growth and Anniversary Committee. She had pallette of possibilities.” As Paul
accomplishments. come to know Paul through his summarizes, “each child is
As our contribution to the work over the past ten years, encouraged to find his or her own
Celebration of ISAAC’s 10th, we
directing the Spiral Garden at the story as individuals within a
invited Paul Hogan, the creator Centre, a “magic theatre” and community.” He breaks into
of the ISAAC Poster, to share his place of self and world discovery. laughter often as he describes the
life perspective with us and to As one talks with Paul about Garden, especially when he
discuss his poster. Shirley was
his work in the Spiral Garden, his pictures the “languages” of non-
pleased to be involved along with
love of history mingled with his human creatures. “That’s where
all the past presidents of ISAAC
belief in each individual’s the fun really comes in!” As I
in the planning and selection of
_wholeness and oneness with the listened, I thought of the funit
the poster and it is with a
universe pervades his every would be to become a child again,
personal as well as professional
comment. His own life embodies in his special Garden. Paul does
interest that this tribute to the
the inclusiveness which he values that to you! By the way, spiral is in @
creator of the ISAAC 10th
so highly. He becomes animated its name to represent infinite growth.
Anniversary poster 1s written.
as he talks of his work with the
10 COMMUNICATING TOGETHER VOL. 11, NO. 3/SEPT. 1993
