Clarion Post Hotell, Göteborg 7-8 May 2018
The Town of Gothenburg and the regional authority for the western part of Sweden (Gothenburg, Borås etc), Västra Götlands regionen, VGR, arranged and supported what is called the “Communication Carneval” . In spite of its rather generic name it is devoted to communication for the disabled. The carnival’s basic idea is to be a forum and a meeting place for anyone interested in communicative difficulties and communication support. This year’s carnival had two tracks – one for those working with children and young adults with disabilities and one trail for those who work in the care sector and who are interested in communication support. The carnival’s focus is always communication, and the basic idea is everyone’s right to communication. My impression was that the audience mostly consisted of persons from different professions such as speech therapists. Undersigned made a speech (60 min). Audience was 4-500 persons.
The “carnival” was a mixture of (invited) speakers and a meeting place for the invited groups as above and a fair. Perhaps the most interesting was to have an input on what tools and supportive aids are out on the market. Much is devoted to software for computers such as different solutions for cognitive support for communication. Most the companies seemed to be very small. None would suit as a collaborative partner for a HIPI or similar.
Nils-Krister Persson
Smart Textiles
University of Borås