Ali Pennington

Makaton empowers us to do just that. It gives us practical tools to ensure that everyone—regardless of how they communicate—feels seen, heard, and understood. Learning just a few simple signs, or incorporating visual supports into your business environment, can completely transform someone’s experience. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being willing—to listen, to adapt, and to create inclusive spaces where everyone feels they belong.

You’re Building a Two-Way Street Makaton isn’t just about helping someone express their needs — it’s about shared communication. If they’re using signs or symbols and you don’t understand them, that street becomes one-way, and frustrating fast.

In times of crisis, communication can mean the difference between calm and chaos, clarity and confusion — even life and death. For emergency services teams — including police, ambulance, fire, and search & rescue — the ability to connect quickly and effectively with every member of the public is vital. But what happens when someone can’t communicate verbally, or has difficulty processing spoken language?