Who uses the cue cards and how successful has it been?

The cue cards are used internationally by over 15,000 agencies including the healthcare sector, hotel services, airlines, language schools, childcare centres, pharmacies and universities. It was first released in April 2007 and  is downloaded up to 20,000 times every month. The initiative received a commendation at the Victorian Health Care Awards in 2007.

How can I use the cue cards?

The cue cards can be downloaded as a complete package in the required language and this is available in either 20 or 4 images per page layout. The best way to use this tool is to laminate it and store close to a client requiring the cue cards. You can picked the relevant categories for their sector from the package or you can  create individualised communication boards.

How do I create a communication boards for individual client needs?

Follow these steps to  create individualised communication boards for clients using only the images you require in your every day practice :

1. Open the  Cue Cards language document you require
2. Click on the ‘Tools’ bar at the  top of your screen
3. Choose ‘Select & Zoom’ and Click on ‘Snapshot Tool’
4. Outline the individual image with accompanying translated text
5. Copy and paste the individual image & text onto the new document you are creating
6. Repeat steps for the next image

You can manipulate the images to the size you need on the Cue Cards document you are creating. Be careful when cutting and pasting translated text – ensure the version you have created looks exactly like the original text.

Were the cue cards trialled?

The cue cards were trialled by community members who had English language difficulties and persons with cognitive and vision impairment in a number of settings.

These trials included community members in countries where English is not predominantly spoken or it is not the individual's first language.

A formal survey was undertaken by agencies who used the resource in late 2009,  

• 47% used for aged care clients, 47% used for adults and 6% used for minors
• 93% of users have found the resource so useful that they referred their colleagues to it
• 11% use cue cards on  a daily basis
• 95% found the resource easy to use

How were the translations done?

Accredited translators were used and the documents were cross-checked by independent accredited translators.

Who chose the cue card categories?

The categories were selected by professionals from a number of sectors across Australia dealing with clients or carers with communication difficulties. They provided lists of the most commonly used words in their day-to-day practice that could easily be communicated through pictures.

Who chose the cue card images?

The images were selected by community members with English language difficulties from over 25 language groups. They agreed on the images they thought best represented the meaning of the word to be conveyed.

What makes the cue cards a unique communication tool?

Community members were involved at every phase of the development, including decision making about the images used and input into the translation process, testing and their accessibility. In addition to this, industry groups were  consulted about the selection and inclusion of the categories.

Why were two versions of the cue cards produced?

There are two versions available, one with four images and another with twenty images per page. After trialling the resource with the stakeholders it was found that the four images per page were more effective for persons with cognitive and vision impairment. You also have the option to create your own individual version, outlined in the  previous sections.

Why is translation provided for the cue card image?

In the trials conducted, it was found that the reinforcement of the image with the translation was useful, although most of the images were universal and understood without the accompanying translation.

Why didn't you phoneticise the translations in English so that staff could pronounce the translated words?

After extensive trials and speaking with the community it was decided not to phoneticise the translated words for English speakers due to the following reasons,

• Confusion is caused due to mispronunciation, as a result of inappropriate intonation and emphasis on certain syllables, by people who do not speak the language
• Mispronunciation can change the entire meaning of the word and may cause offence or distress
• There are certain sounds in other languages that do not exist in English and are very hard to replicate, particularly by the combination of letters found in the Latin script used in English
• Clients may assume the staff member speaks the language and bombard them with information the worker does not understand
• Community members did not think it was appropriate
• This is a tool to assist in very simple communication and not designed to take the place of accredited interpreters, or give community members the impression the worker understands their language

We also recommend avoiding this form of communication. 

Are the cue cards available in hard copy?

No, because the resource was designed to be made available free of charge and to be accessible for anyone to use,  cue cards are only available for download on the Eastern Health website. This is the easiest and most cost effective way of distributing them.

Can I alter the colour of the images on the cue cards?

We recommend that the cue cards are printed in black and white for older community members and people with vision impairment.

Why were graphics used rather than real images?

It was decided by the community members that the graphics for the cue cards should follow the universal signage for objects and actions as these are more commonly used in the world.

These graphics are simplified and animated images that are generally accepted and also easily understood by various language groups.

How long did it take to develop the cue cards?

It took Eastern Health over four years to develop and refine the  and another nine months to get consensus on the final translations.

Are there plans to extend this resource in the future?

Due to the success of this resource we are working on new category additions to the existing cue card  and we are regularly making new languages available.

What if the language I need is not available?

The cue cards are available in over 65 languages. If there is a language you need that is not available please put in a request with Eastern Health Transcultural Services manager, Lena Dimopoulos (E) lena.dimopoulos@easternhealth.org.au