The art of communication is the language of caring

Issued by Enterprises University of Pretoria

28 May 2019

In the wake of the unfortunate tragedy that occurred in Mozambique, where cyclones Idai and Kenneth hit the country, leaving the residents of Mozambique devastated and in need of humanitarian aid, Prof Juan Bornman from the University of Pretoria together with Enterprises University of Pretoria (Pty) Ltd reached out to lend a hand by recently presenting the emergency communication board to the Embassy of Mozambique. The delegates representing the embassy received both the laminated copies and digital copy of the emergency communication board.

Sergio Macamo (Commercial Counsellor), Antoninho Vidigal (Counsellor), Prof Juan Bornman (Director: Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication UP), Irvin Bogopa (Executive Manager: Stakeholder Relations), Terrence Mahlangu (Clerical Assistant)

The emergency communication board was developed by the Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAAC) at the University of Pretoria in collaboration with Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Assistive Technology (DART). The purpose of the emergency communication board is to create a communication channel between English and Portuguese speaking health care staff and patients. This emergency board consists of essential health and medical information, and is supported by pictures in both the Portuguese and English words to ensure there is effective communication. The health care staff will make use of the pictures when communicating with a patient, and the patient will respond by pointing at a picture. The pictures on the emergency board are designed in such a way that they are gender, age and culturally appropriate. The use of pictures to support the interaction will assist in eliminating possible communication challenges and misunderstandings.

To download or share the Emergency Communication Board click here.

Having played a profound part in the history of South Africa for more than 100 years, the University of Pretoria boasts a lasting legacy that endures through a cluster of innovative and multidisciplinary services rendered through Enterprises University of Pretoria (Pty) Ltd.