JCPSLP Vol 19 No 1 March 2017

Communication and connection: Valuing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives

Our journey towards 2030 Building a diverse, culturally responsive Association Gaenor Dixon

T he Speech Pathology 2030 – Making Futures hese eight key aspirations outline a diverse and dynamic profession that will enable every person and community to determine and access the services that they need; services that promote and support skilled, confident families and carers, communication accessible communities, and professional collaborations. In 2017, our profession does not reflect the make-up of our diverse and vibrant society. The percentage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speech pathologists is less than the percentage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our community. We need to examine the impacts that this has on both the profession and on our services. What barriers are preventing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from joining the profession? What can we do to address this? For First Australians who have speech, language and communication needs our services are not always accessible or inclusive. Culturally responsive and safe practices that are co-designed by our clients through choice and knowledge is an aspiration of the 2030 plan. Culturally responsive services will also, by their nature, ensure that the needs of families and carers are considered – that speech pathologists will take the time to understand each family and their goals, their strengths, their needs and their way of doing things. In moving towards these goals Speech Pathology Australia is implementing several initiatives. The Association is forming an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee, which will provide advice to the Board and the Association on its strategy and activities. Happen project identified eight key aspirations that reflect a shared vision of the future of the profession.

One of the first tasks for the committee will be to provide advice on an organisational reconciliation action plan. This plan will outline the systemic barriers to participation in speech pathology by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speech pathologists and clients, and undertake activities to redress those barriers. Speech Pathology Australia is working with a coalition of staff from speech pathology university programs to explore ways in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives can be embedded within university curricula. As part of this process, the Association has reviewed the Competency Based Occupational Standards (CBOS) to ensure that the standards reflect the profession’s commitment to the delivery of culturally responsive and secure services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and communities. When a more in-depth review of the document is undertaken over the next few years, the Advisory Committee will provide further advice on the CBOS. At the time of writing, Speech Pathology Australia is also actively investigating the provision of cultural responsiveness training to support our members (and others) in reflecting on their practices and how those practices may enable or create barriers to access and participation in speech pathology services by First Australians. Our 2030 vision is ambitious, but one that is attainable if we work together with open minds, seek to understand, be prepared to question our practices – even where it may be uncomfortable – and to make changes. Our profession cannot afford to stand still; communication is a basic human right for all Australians.

Gaenor Dixon

Gaenor Dixon is the current President of Speech Pathology Australia and has held office since 2015.

3

JCPSLP Volume 19, Number 1 2017

www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au