Lámh Sign 3.59

Lámh is the manual sign system used by children and adults with intellectual disability and communication needs in Ireland. Lámh was originally developed in the early 1980s in order to have a unified, standardised, Irish-based approach to signing for those with intellectual disabilities and communication needs.

Lámh is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors, governing the Lámh Development Office, which is operated by the Lámh Project Manager Mary Cullen (acting) and supported by part time Admin Worker Caroline O'Shea.

The core work of Lámh is grant-aided by the Health Service Executive.

Lámh has signed up for the Governance Code and is registered and compliant with the Charities Regulator.

The first Lámh Development Office opened in 2003 with a Development Officer post in place.

The aim of Lámh (in Memorandum and Articles of Association) is "To develop, promote and maintain Lámh as an augmentative system of communication for people with intellectual disabilities in Ireland."

Subsidiary objectives include:
(i) Coordinating dissemination of information regarding Lámh
(ii) Maintaining standards for Lámh and coordinating and monitoring implementation of existing Lámh training packages
(iii) Oversee development of new training packages and materials and monitoring the copyright and guidelines around use of training packages and materials
(iv) Developing policies and procedures regarding Lámh training and In addition: Participating in research and evaluation appropriate to Lámh training.

In 1999 Lámh was established as a company limited by guarantee. The company name is Communication Augmentation Sign System Ltd., operating under the original name of "Lámh".