People with complex communication needs are to be given more support within the criminal justice system under new laws before the South Australian parliament.
The changes would allow people with a speech impairment to access different forms of communication, such as a communication partner, when they come before the courts as witnesses, victims or defendants.
Speech Pathology Australia national president Gaenor Dixon said a communication disability should not be equated with "unreliability".
"A person with a communication impairment is not inherently unreliable because they cannot express themselves verbally."
The Vulnerable Witnesses Bill has passed the lower house and will come before the Legislative Council this week.
The legislation would also enable courts to allow hearsay witnesses, such as a teacher or a caregiver, to give evidence to support a person with communication problems.
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