Exploring the effects of a communication partner training programme for adapted transport drivers
- Publisher:
- Routledge
- Publication Type:
- Journal Article
- Citation:
- Aphasiology, 2022
- Issue Date:
- 2022-01-01
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| Filename | Description | Size | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tessier_CPT adaptive transport drivers_Aphasiology_2021.pdf | Published version | 1.13 MB |
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Background: Public transportation plays an essential role in the social participation of people living with a communication disability. However, the attitudes and communication skills of public transport drivers may influence access to the service. A communication partner training programme offered to public transportation staff may help drivers better interact with people living with a communication disability. Aims: To explore the effects of communication partner training on adapted transport drivers: 1) knowledge about communication and strategies to use with persons living with a communication disability, 2) relational communication, and 3) communication behaviours with passengers living with a communication disability in authentic communication contexts. Methods & Procedures: An exploratory single group naturalistic design was used. Thirteen drivers were provided with a novel communication partner training programme. Participants’ knowledge about communication with individuals living with a communication disability was assessed with written situational scenarios presenting passengers with either an expressive, receptive, or pragmatic communication profile. Videos of the participants interacting with passengers living with a communication disability during real-life trips were captured and analysed using the Relational Communication Scale. The videos were further analysed to determine if the participants’ use of gestures had changed after training. Paired-sample t-tests were undertaken for each measure to identify any post-training changes. Outcomes & Results: Drivers’ knowledge about communication with people living with a communication disability significantly increased after training. Also, significant behavioural changes occurred in drivers post-training videos as indicated by the better evaluation of all dimensions of the Relational Communication Scale and the increased use of gestures. Emblematic gestures were the most frequently employed. Conclusions: This study suggests that the communication partner training programme for adapted transport drivers could improve their communication with people living with a communication disability. Future studies are needed to replicate these findings and further determine their external validity.
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