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Whether presenting at the high school science fair, interviewing for a new OT position or explaining health care reform on the campaign trail, the ability to engage the audience, communicate effectively and speak with confidence is key to personal and professional success. Many colleges require students to take a public speaking course and the proliferation of speech workshops and Toastmasters clubs is testament to not only the perceived career benefits but personal growth and enjoyment gained from these activities.
What exactly are these activities? Let's take a look at the non-profit organization Toastmasters International, with more than 12,500 clubs in 106 countries they are dedicated to helping members develop public speaking and leadership skills. Members join for many reasons including: improving presentation skills, networking and building confidence. During meetings members take on various roles such as "Thoughtmaster" who opens the meeting with a poignant thought, "Grammarian" who reports language mishaps, "ah" counter who reports use of filler words and "Jokemaster" who adds a bit of levity. The "Table Topics Master" offers a theme for 1-2 minute extemporaneous speeches that develop skills to "think on one's feet". Every meeting includes 3-4 prepared speeches followed by evaluations filled with praise and gentle pointers for improvement. The awarding of ribbons for best speakers adds an element of friendly competition.
Taking a public speaking course or joining a Toastmaster's club isn't only for those with lofty ambitions - it helps people with disadvantaged backgrounds and/or disabilities gain the skills and confidence to organize and deliver an articulate speech packed with eye contact and affect. This can be a life transforming experience. For example, the members of Clifton Toastmaster's meet at a men's homeless shelter in Atlanta where many of the members are residents. A volunteer started the club to help these men who suffered from health and substance abuse problems build their self-esteem. Learning to speak about themselves boosted confidence to confront job interviews and explore new work options. More practiced members enjoy the powerful experience of mentoring newcomers.
Members of the Livingston County jail Toastmasters club in Geneseo, New York have their own share of communication barriers to overcome. Many of these men have been convicted of drug or alcohol related charges. Learning to expand their vocabularies and articulate their thoughts are tools for earning a GED, getting jobs and reversing a downward spiral.
Toastmasters policy states that no person shall be excluded based on a physical or mental disability as long as that person is able to participate. However, some clubs are especially adapted to meet the needs of its members- such as clubs for the deaf where all speeches are signed. Individuals with developmental disabilities may participate in a local Toastmaster's club or chapter specially designed to be used as teaching tools. Author, Lisa Ferguson described the benefits enjoyed by members of the club serviced by Volunteers of America Dakotas- ".young adults for the first time in their lives, were learning appropriate speech, projecting their voice, respecting the words of others, expressing appreciation to others and enjoying the appreciation expressed toward them."
Paulette Bass joined High Noon Toastmasters in 2004- a club not specifically designed for individuals with developmental disabilities. Bass first learned to count "ahs", tally votes and read the Table Topics questions, but after six months she was eager to give speeches. Her mentor- special education teacher, Carol Lunsford, M.Ed., helped Paulette to overcome struggles with word retrieval and pronunciation. (You may view a YouTube Video of Paulette Bass giving a speech by entering her name in the search engine).
My own son who took a required college course in public speaking demonstrated the power of preparation and practice. As a young adult with Asperger's Syndrome he has always struggled with finding the right words and getting them out before someone else cut him off. Learning how to write and organize a speech to be given within an eight minute limit forced him to be succinct. Practice proved to him that what can be said in 15 minutes can be said in eight and I now know more about weightlifting than I had ever dreamed.
Public speaking skills for the blind include learning how to look at the audience even when one can't see them and understanding the importance of body language to engage the audience. Mentors of the Canadian Toastmaster's club, Franco-Energie worked with Darcy MacDougall who has been blind since birth to use gestures, an important communication skill in daily life.
Numerous individuals who have overcome disabilities move on to become motivational speakers. Some of them have spinal cord injuries and preach against drunk driving. Others survived violence and advocate gun control. Public speaking enables them to inspire and lead while also earning an income. John Russ, a DJ and motivational speaker with cerebral palsy joins award winning comedian Josh Blue in proving that humor trumps coordination challenges.
Mark Hunter a school principal from Australia, disabled over 30 years post a water skiing accident found that entering Toastmaster's competitions fulfilled a yearning to win. Indeed, he won big as Toastmaster's International 2009 World Champion of public speaking. Hunter incorporated humor into his speeches including lifting the front wheels of his wheelchair while imitating a horse rearing up and shouting ""Yee-Haah!".
Occupational therapists who recognize the value of public speaking as therapeutic activity may recommend a club, course or seminar or even create a program in their workplace or community to meet the needs of members with special abilities that have not yet been discovered. As members with and without disabilities work together on mutual goals their differences will diminish. Now wouldn't that make a great topic for a speech!
Barbara Smith, M.S., OTR/L is a member of the Back Talk Toastmaster's club in Massachusetts. She is the author of The Recycling Occupational Therapist and Still Giving Kisses: A Guide to Helping and Enjoying the Alzheimer's Victim You Love. Barbara enjoys giving presentations and talking about her work which you can read about at: BarbaraSmithOccupationalTherapist.com.
References
Black, B. Toastmaster's Magazine. "How a Hunter Captured His Game". November 2009. http://www.toastmasters.org/MainMenuCategories/WhyJoin/SuccessStories/HunterCapturedGame-.aspx
Davis, J.B. Toastmaster's Magazine. "Profile: Pushing Past His Disability". January 2007 http://www.toastmasters.org/ToastmastersMagazine/ToastmasterArchive/2007/
January/ArticlesDepartments/Profile.aspx
Davis, J.B. Toastmaster's Magazine. "Giving hope to the Homeless. April 2009. http://www.toastmasters.org/ToastmastersMagazine/ToastmasterArchive/2009/
April/Departments/Hope-to-the-Homeless.aspx
Duivenvoorden, C. Toastmaster's Magazine. "Overcoming a Unique Challenge". November 2009.
Lunsford, C. Toastmaster's Magazine. "Paulette's Path". December 2008. http://www.toastmasters.org/ToastmastersMagazine/ToastmasterArchive/2008/
December/Departments/Profile.aspx
Vall, D. Toastmaster's Magazine. "Speechcraft Participants thrive in County Jail". February 2007. http://www.toastmasters.org/ToastmastersMagazine/ToastmasterArchive/2007/
May/Articles/Speechcraft.aspx
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