Who needs communication intermediary?

A Communication Intermediary may be required if a victim, witness or accused person has a disability, that makes it difficult for them to: speak. understand, process or remember what is being said, express their opinions and thoughts in a clear manner.

Why should communication intermediary be used?

A Communication Intermediary is an impartial, qualified professional who has additional training to facilitate two-way communication between a victim/witness or accused person with a communication disability and a justice professional (e.g. police, prosecutor, private legal counsel).

Who pays for a communication intermediary?

Costs can be covered by legal aid, government programs, or private payment. We’ll guide you through options.

Can this help someone who uses a speech device?

Yes! We support non-speaking individuals and those using AAC or other tools.

Do you only work in court?

No, we provide communication support for legal settings of all kinds, including police interviews, medical decisions, and more.

Is this the same as a lawyer or advocate?

No. We don’t give legal advice. We focus on helping the person communicate clearly and understand what’s happening.

What does a communication intermediary do?

A communication intermediary assesses a person's communication needs and recommends strategies that help them understand questions, process information and express their responses in legal or other formal settings.

Who may benefit from a communication intermediary?

Support may benefit children or adults who have difficulty understanding language, processing complex questions, organizing responses or expressing themselves clearly in high-stress settings.

Where can communication intermediary support be provided?

Support may be provided during court proceedings, legal interviews, police or RCMP interactions, medical or social service assessments and other formal processes.

Can a communication intermediary help someone who uses AAC?

Yes. Communication intermediary services can support non-speaking people and individuals who use AAC, speech-generating devices, communication boards or other communication methods.

Is a communication intermediary a lawyer or advocate?

No. A communication intermediary is impartial and does not provide legal advice or advocate for a particular outcome. The role is to identify and reduce communication barriers.

Who pays for communication intermediary services?

Funding may be available through Legal Aid, a government program, the referring organization or private payment. Coverage should be confirmed for each case.

Are communication intermediary services available across Nova Scotia?

Yes. Allied Therapy provides communication intermediary services across Nova Scotia, subject to availability, location and the requirements of the proceeding.

Communication Intermediary Services for Legal and Formal Settings Across Nova Scotia

Impartial communication support for children and adults who experience difficulty understanding, processing or expressing information in legal and other formal settings. Services are provided by a registered Speech-Language Pathologist across Nova Scotia.

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Allied Therapy clinician supporting a adult with communication

Making Legal Communication Easier

At Allied Therapy, we offer communication intermediary services for disabilities across Nova Scotia. We help people who have trouble understanding or expressing themselves, especially in legal or formal settings, so their voice is heard clearly and respectfully. We provide impartial support, like a sign language interpreter, for those who benefit from communication support.

Our trained communication intermediaries provide support during court, police interviews, and other official situations. We’re here to make sure everyone has equal access to communication.

What is a Communication Intermediary?

A communication intermediary is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who:

Offer impartial support, like a sign language interpreter, for those who benefit from communication support.
Supports a person with disabilities in understanding legal language
Helps them respond in a way that others can understand
Uses plain language, visuals, and assistive tools when needed
Makes sure communication is clear, calm, and fair
Our Speech-Language Pathologists have undergone specific training and are registered Communication Intermediaries through Communication Disabilities Access Canada.

Who Needs Communication Support for Legal Settings?

We work with:

Children in the foster care system that need more information provided to those advocating for them.

McNamara (2012) estimated that up to 80% of adult prisoners present with communication impairments. We help these adults and teens.

People who need help understanding complex questions

Those who struggle to express their answers clearly in high-stress environments

Allied Therapy clinician supporting a adult with a communication barrier

We provide court communication assistance and support in:

Legal interviews and hearings

Police or RCMP interactions

Medical or social service assessments

Other official situations

Our Process

Assessment

We assess how a person understands and communicates to decide how we can help. We build a communication profile for others to understand how to best communicate with this individual

Preparation

Before the interview or hearing, we meet with the person and their legal team to plan what supports are needed.

Court Communication Assistance

During the legal process, we stay by their side. We support them in understanding what's said and help them share their thoughts clearly.

Reporting

We provide clear reports for lawyers, judges, and other professionals explaining the person’s communication needs and the best ways to support them.