Encouraging conversations with images and symbols
By E. A. Draffan, 2022
Fellow’s Profile
Fellow’s Profile
Multimedia assessment and training for literacy skills
Supporting those with special education needs in literacy by employing supporting technologies
1995
South East
I trained as a speech and language therapist and worked in London hospitals supporting people with communication difficulties. Later working in schools where children had special educational needs, I began to use strategies involving the emerging technologies of the 1990s.
My Fellowship introduced me to Assistive Technology (AT) centres in the USA. On my return I started a regional centre at the University of Sussex, liaising with others to introduce the concept of equal access to teaching and learning for those with disabilities. Then, working with a national AT organisation led to more digital accessibility work, involving strategies to make online content easier for use by anyone with physical, sensory or cognitive difficulties.
A move to the University of Southampton resulted in EU collaboration and research using Artificial Intelligence to further improve access to digital content. I am involved with the development of an open licensed pictographic symbol repository, and training materials for those who struggle with speech. Thanks to a Covid-19 Churchill grant we have a free communication chart builder, and Global Symbols is now used across the world and working with UNICEF.
By E. A. Draffan, 2022
The Global Symbols project set up by EA Draffan (CF 1995) has been awarded a Zero Project award this month. The award was in recognition of EA’s Covid-19 Action Fund project, which is enhancing communication between healthcare workers and their patients.
By E. A. Draffan, 2021
By E. A. Draffan, 2020
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
By E. A. Draffan, 2022
The Global Symbols project set up by EA Draffan (CF 1995) has been awarded a Zero Project award this month. The award was in recognition of EA’s Covid-19 Action Fund project, which is enhancing communication between healthcare workers and their patients.
By E. A. Draffan, 2021
By E. A. Draffan, 2020
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.