We have been asked by Communication Disabilities Access Canada (CDAC) to distribute the following notice to our membership:

Communication Disabilities Access Canada (CDAC) is pleased to share new guidelines for police, legal and justice professionals on how and when to use Communication Intermediaries.

Communication Intermediaries assist people with speech and language disabilities, not caused by hearing loss to give accurate, complete and authentic evidence in all phases of the justice system. Please check out our:

National Communication Intermediary Roster (http://www.access-to-justice.org/communication-intermediaries/roster/)

Guidelines (http://www.access-to-justice.org/justice-sector/guidelines-for-working-with-a-victim-or-witness/) for Police, Legal and Justice Professionals

Communication Intermediaries are regulated, Speech-Language Pathologists with additional training from CDAC to work in police, legal and justice situations. A Communication Intermediary may be required if a victim, witness or accused has a disability that makes it difficult for them to speak; understand what is said; express their thoughts in a clear manner or if they communicate using pictures, a letter board or device.

For more information: http://www.access-to-justice.org

Email CDAC (http://www.cdacanada.com/contact/) about trainings for police, legal and justice professionals.