10th of October is Key Word Sign Awareness Day
KWS Awareness Day falls on the 10th day of the 10th month, because of our 10 fingers that are so good to sign with!
Key Word Sign Australia created Key Word Sign Awareness Day back in 2017 to spread the word about this simple and effective way of communicating for adults and children with speech, language, and communication difficulties.
KWS can be used with other forms of AAC like communication boards, picture boards and books. Many children and adults use KWS as a primary form of communication, or to communicate quickly and easily with their family and friends.
The most important factor in KWS (and any AAC tool) being successful is YOU, the communication partner! The person needs to see KWS being used around them, in different situations, by different people.
Here is how you can make a difference:
- Have a conversation using Key Word Sign. Check out the Key Word Sign videos on our YouTube channel for some examples.
- Want to learn to sign a song? You’ll find videos and sign guides for songs for children and adults here. You can even start practising how to sign your Christmas carols!
- Don’t want to sign a song? What about reading a story book to a child with KWS or signing while playing a game?
We invite everyone interested in Key Word Sign to do something to mark this day, and on every day. Let your fingers do the talking, and Happy Signing!