Myerscough achieves ‘Makaton Friendly’ status

Makaton Friendly is unique partnership programme which helps organisations and communities to improve accessibility for anyone living with learning or communication difficulties. The scheme drives inclusivity to help create a fairer and more tolerant society for all.

Makaton is a form of sign language. Today over 100,000 children and adults use Makaton symbols and signs, either as their main method of communication or as a way to support speech.

In addition to children and adults with communication and learning difficulties and the community around them, Makaton is increasingly being used by the general public to aid communication.

Makaton has been shown to be useful for all sorts of people including those who struggle with understanding concepts, those who have poor literacy skills, including grammatical knowledge, and those with English as an Additional Language. By using Makaton, children and adults can take a more active part in life, because communication and language are the key to everything we do and learn.

In becoming Makaton Friendly it means Myerscough has increased accessibility for people living with learning and communication difficulties who might otherwise struggle to access education and therefor improve outcomes, as well as helping to meet accessibility and inclusivity targets.

Myerscough’s Bronze status means:

• All foundation learning staff demonstrate an understanding and appreciation that different people use alternative ways to communicate, and support this
• We have an in-house Makaton champion who has attended training
• Establishment and regular updating of a Makaton information board with ‘sign of the week’, useful information, and the latest Makaton news
• We know to answer any Makaton queries for your organisation
• We can provide learners, parents and carers with accessible information, on request
• Staff have easy access to accessible information, notes from their training, and Makaton resource books / downloads

On campus:

• We provide a supporting and welcoming environment for those with learning disabilities and communication difficulties
• Accessible Information is easily available at the entrance / reception for everyone to see
• We’ve a makaton information board: sign of the week and useful information featured on it and updated regularly
• Makaton symbols or another visual support systems are used in one area: for example a menu, noticeboard or storyboard

Use of signs:

• Makaton signing is used to welcome people to the business, if required
• Awareness of why we use Makaton
• Makaton is used at key points of the day to aid choices, for example meal choices, activities and greetings

To find out more about the range of foundation learning study programmes available at Myerscough College, click here