The Speech Therapy Department at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH) in Cape Town has teamed up with the young radio reporters at RX Radio to help children with speech related difficulties be better understood.
Chantel du Toit, a Speech Therapist at the iconic hospital, has a special interest in helping children communicate more effectively by means of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Although using AAC is not a new concept, she went further and approached the RX Radio team so that the young AAC users can choose a voice match according to their age, ethnicity, gender and language (English, isiXhosa, Afrikaans and a bit of isiZulu). This personalises the process and greatly assists in the uptake and acceptance of AAC in general.
Fourteen young RX Radio reporters participated in the voice donation project. Their voices, a collection of everyday words and simple phrases, will be stored on a device that will assist these children.
“This is a very significant project for our reporters who have conditions that somehow limit and hinder them from taking part in a range of activities. This was empowering for them, being in a position to assist someone who has a condition that in a way limits them. As they also know how it feels like to be limited by their respective conditions. Even though the project was not conceptualized at RX Radio it really spoke to what the station stands for, and we feel very fortunate that Chantel approached us and made us part of this exciting project,” says RX Radio Station Manager, Noluyolo Yolie Ngomani.
“We’re always looking at ways to improve the lives of our patients. It’s what we do, it’s part of us all here at Red Cross. Chantel and the Speech Therapy team, together with RX Radio did an amazing job and we are certain that this will have a positive impact on the children of the Western Cape and South Africa,” says Dr Anita Parbhoo, Acting CEO of the RCWMCH
Dwayne Evans
Principal Communications Officer
Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital
Mobile: 072 236 8658
E-mail: dwayne.evans@westerncape.gov.za