Speak Up is a project that Stawell Intertwine Services have initiated as another step toward the implementation of the State Disability Plan.

It is anticipated that the resources purchased within Speak Up will be able to assist many people within the community who may need Augmentative or assisted communication.

The funds for the project became available from the Department of Human Services `Changing Days projects'.

Carleen Grace (Project Officer) and Kathryn Clayton (Manager of State Plan implementation) of Intertwine have liaised with PINARC complex communication service and Rebecca Hicks Speech Pathology Services to ensure it is able to provide individualised responses within the service, as well as generic resources for the community.

``We have been fortunate to have the services of Rebecca Hicks who is familiar with people within our service from previous consultations. We now have written reports on what is required to provide the appropriate opportunities for people to communicate their needs/wants in a medium appropriate for themselves,'' Carleen said.

Kerry Wilson, Stawell librarian and Paula Clark, CEO of Wimmera Library Co-operation have been very enthusiastic and obliging in piloting access and loaning of Speak Up resources that will assist people to communicate.

It is hoped that this will not only provide a cost effective means for people to trial and utilise software and equipment but also enable community groups to assist people move from parallel participation to inclusion.

The resources will be housed in a designated area within the library, a computer with identified links/games and resource files will also be available for exclusive use for those developing communication aids.

The official launch will take place this Thursday, October 29 at 2pm and is open to the public.

A future development of Speak Up will involve the accreditation of local business to be Speak Up compliant. This will involve the shops adapting menus and alike and fulfilling training requirements.

As a result of accreditation shops will display a logo which will be publicised to all services and community groups to be recognised as a business which is communication accessible.

``We hope that people are inspired by the samples and resources at the library and that individuals are empowered as a result,'' Kathryn Clayton said.

``The ability to indicate choice and have opportunities for inclusion is what we hope to achieve from this project.''