Written communication

Home: Workers: Counselling Issues: Aboriginal issues

Aboriginal people identify and or associate with aboriginal art and colour. If aboriginal art catches their eye there is a much greater likelihood that an aboriginal person will pick up and pursue a pamphlet or study a poster.

Posters are particularly popular as a means of communication with Aboriginal people as the message can be portrayed with a picture story and few words are needed.

Aboriginal culture has and is about oral communication. If and when information needs to be relayed to the communities it is best presented in the above forms.

Aboriginal peoples confidence with written material is often low, and all written information needs to be succinct and to the point.

Lack of confidence in reading and writing is associated with Aboriginal people's school learning experiences. This is primarily due to the below average exit age of Aboriginal students and the family cultural learning experience through art and storytelling, rather than the written word.

General written information available at mainstream health agencies is rarely appropriate for Aboriginal people. The material is often too difficult for many of the community to read and/or understand as the material assumes a general understanding of health, allied health professions, terminology and service types.

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Disclaimer Copyright Updated: 7 Jan 2010