Key points
- For the first time, MPavillion is offering communication cards at its venues for non-verbal customers
- The project was the brain-child of a Melbourne PHD student who was motivateed by her younger sister Michelle who is non-verbal
- The initaitive is an example of ‘empathetic architecture’, which can also incude sensory spaces, quiet rooms and graphic signs
When Ilianna Ginnis took her younger sister Michelle out and about in Melbourne, she often found that public spaces weren’t created with her non-verbal sibling in mind.
“There was a restrictiveness, she couldn’t walk around in a certain place because it was too crowded, or the noise levels were too high so she couldn’t participate,” the 25-year-old PhD student said.
PHD student Ilianna Ginnis with her 17-year-old sister Michelle Ginnis who has a genetic condition and is non-verbal.Credit:Justin McManus
“Nothing was ever flexible enough for someone non-verbal.”
Ginnis, who is also a casual disability support worker, channelled her observations into her studies in non-verbal communication and spatial design at Monash University.
She’s on a mission to bring non-verbal communication tools – picture exchange cards, also known as PEC cards, quiet spaces and sensory rooms – to the city’s cultural and public spaces.
“Just because some people can’t speak doesn’t mean they have nothing to say,” she said.
Ginnis has now chalked up her first success.
Ginnis’ designed communication aides for non-verbal Melburnians which are now a permanent fixture at the MPavillion.Credit:Justin McManus
Melbourne’s MPavilion, an outdoor events space and cafe in Kings Domain on the Yarra River, now provides her custom-designed PEC cards – with venue-specific words and concepts – for non-verbal patrons.
“It’s a start, it creates a bit of representation because when someone sees it at the kiosk they ask about it and it gives the staff an opportunity to explain that it’s for non-verbal people to communicate,” she said.
“It also allows non-verbal people to come into the community and be actually included.”
Dennis Papasotiriou, Ilianna Ginnis and Brandon Tomlin at MPavillion which now has communication cards for non-verbal Melburnians.Credit:Justin McManus
Dennis Papasotiriou lives with dyspraxia, a neurodevelopmental disorder of movement and co-ordination. The 36-year-old understands both English and Greek and communicates by pointing, but he can vocalise his interests by saying one word repetitively – also known as echolalia.
When The Sunday Age visited MPavilion week, Papasotiriou was able to order at the kiosk by holding the “coffee” card, featuring a cartoon image of a steaming mug, with the assistance of a care worker.
Different people have different needs and abilities; some may be non-verbal due to an intellectual disability, while others require a communication aide.
Ginnis’ sister Michelle, 17, has a genetic condition and communicates through gestures and behaviours. She can’t choose the cards herself but can indicate her needs if the options are shown to her.
The cards, a product of a collaboration between Ginnis and architecture firm Studiomint, use a common visual language developed by assistive technology firm Tobii Dynavox.
“We want people to be able to communicate with staff, get food or beverage or find out where toilets are,” said MPavilion creative director Jen Zielinska, adding that all front-of-house staff would be trained on how and when to offer them.
“We hope it’s just the beginning and that more non-verbal communicators will feel safe, supported and comfortable,” Zielinska said.
Ginnis hopes communication accessibility will catch on at other Melbourne venues and will one day be as commonplace as physical accessibility aides such as ramps.
“We all need to work as a team together to make sure everyone is included and heard in the community, and we can do that through empathetic architecture and design,” she said.
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