May is Speech and Hearing Month in Canada! Each year, Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) leads an initiative to raise public awareness about the work of speech-language pathologists, audiologists and communication health assistants and increase knowledge regarding communication health issues.

This May, people across Canada are participating in the #communicateawareness social media challenge, a Speech and Hearing Month campaign led by the Pan-Canadian Alliance (PCA) of speech-language pathology and audiology associations.

We want to challenge you to communicate to those around you without using your voice.  To participate, follow these three steps:

1. Think of a message you want to communicate. For example, try ordering something in a restaurant, asking for help in a store or sending well wishes to a friend.  The challenge is to find a way to communicate your message without using your voice. To do this, you could:

• use a communication board (download one here)
• use sign language and/or gestures,
• use written words and/or pictures,
• use a communication app or online resource, such as:
  •  Let Me Talk app
  • Text to Speech Reader
  • American Sign Language University
  • AAC Speech Buddy

2. Take a photo or video of yourself completing the challenge and post it to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using #communicateawareness. Feel free to include reactions to your challenge (difficulties you encountered, how it made you feel, how other people responded, etc.)

3. Tag 3 people or groups in your post and call on them to participate in the #communicateawareness challenge!

For more information and ideas on how you can participate, be sure to visit our #communicateawareness campaign page.