JAM CARD APP FOR TELLING PEOPLE “JUST A MINUTE”

Virgin Trains in the UK, part of Sir Richard Branson’s transportation company, is issuing JAM cards for passengers who need to convey to staff that they need an extra minute to communicate. JAM stands for Just a Minute, and the card can let people know that they’re speaking with someone who
has aphasia or another condition and needs extra time to understand and respond. Virgin realizes that train travel can be stressful. They’re aiming to make it more comfortable for people with aphasia. You don’t need to live in the UK to access the digital JAM card. Learn how to download it to your
mobile device.
Is It Only For Trains? – No, you don’t have to ride the rails in the UK to get this card. The JAM card is either a physical card (only for people living in the UK) or it can be downloaded on the app created by the NOW group in Northern Ireland. You can download it directly onto your phone right now. While Northern Ireland has done an impressive job training public spaces to recognize the app and card (and providing signage that can be put into windows for businesses that are “JAM friendly”), all of your local businesses can get to know this initiative through your use.

       Once you download the app, you create an account and sign in. While they currently don’t have “aphasia” listed as an option, you can choose the cause of your aphasia or select “other.” The app is basic, but it’s a great supplement to the physical aphasia card (that you can print out). And if
you’re ever traveling in the UK, it’s a great way to discover businesses that are aphasia-friendly.

       The Aphasia Id Card – Many people are not familiar with aphasia, or they might just not realize that someone has difficulty communicating because of aphasia.

       Carrying an Aphasia ID is a great way to ease communication awkwardness. You can customize and print an ID card for free by following the link provided below. You can then present the card when buying groceries, paying for gas, meeting new people, or in any other situation when you think a person might need to be informed that you have aphasia. Click on the link Aphasia ID card to customize and print your own card for free.

What Is Aphasia? Aphasia is an impairment of language, affecting the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read or write. Aphasia is always due to injury to the brain-most commonly from a stroke, particularly in older individuals, and is being seen more often in people with
Parkinson’s. Brain injuries resulting in aphasia may also arise from head trauma, brain tumors, or infections.

       Aphasia can be so severe as to make communication with the patient almost impossible, or it can be very mild. It may affect mainly a single aspect of language use, such as the ability to retrieve the names of objects, or the ability to put words together into sentences, or the ability
to read. More commonly, however, multiple aspects of communication are impaired, while some channels remain accessible for a limited exchange of information.

       To assess the possibility that treatment might enhance the use of the channels that are available, it is the job of the professional to determine the amount of function available in each of the channels for the comprehension of language.

       To find more information about the different types of aphasia such as Global, Broca’s, Wernicke’s, Primary Progressive, Anomic, and Mixed Nonfluent aphasia, check out the website of the National Association Aphasia. Can a Person Have Aphasia Without Having a Physical Disability? Yes, but many people with aphasia also have weakness or paralysis of their right leg and right arm. When a person acquires aphasia, it is usually due to damage on the left side of the brain, which controls movements on the right side of the body.