Speak Out April 2018

I participated in the Health Fusion Team Challenge for 2017. The challenge is an interactive learning experience that involves Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from across Australia partaking in an interactive learning experience. This was a great opportunity for me to work within a multidisciplinary team to plan for collaborative client care. This whole experience has allowed me to grow not only professionally, as a future allied health worker but also to develop my personal skills. I have taken away much knowledge and made great connections across Australia with other allied health professionals and students. Making these connections nationwide is something you don’t get to experience every day so I made the most of this important networking opportunity. It was inspiring to listen to many of the keynote speakers and hear about their successes within the allied health sector. The conference allowed me to further connect with my culture and reflect on the high demand there is for more Indigenous allied health professionals across Australia. It is evident that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Allied Health workers are underrepresented across all disciplines and this is an issue that needs to be addressed. This will ensure a future of equitable access and advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. I took the opportunity to nominate for the IAHA Student Representative Council for 2018, and was delighted to be a successful applicant. I am extremely honoured and excited about the opportunities that this responsibility will provide on a personal and professional level. I attended the first face-to-face meeting along with the IAHA board directors and fellow student representatives in Canberra in February. I am also very keen to get the IAHA name out there, particularly within my university community. IAHA membership is free, and open to both Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal members of allied health professions. Non-Aboriginal people are able to join as associate members. I highly recommend taking up this opportunity – and the opportunity to attend the conference, which is held annually. You can find more details of the association at www.iaha.com.au .

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander attendees at the IAHA

(L-R) Hannah Thompson, Cori Williams, Zoe King

Multisensory Instruction in Language Arts 1

Cori Williams Senior Advisor Evidence Based Practice and Research

Training Course Gain the skills to teach students:

Reading

Spelling

Writing

January, July and September Australia Wide, New Zealand and Asia. Additional courses and locations organised by demand

Contact Office: 03 9889 4768 admin@spaldingaustralia.com.au

www.spaldingaustralia.com.au

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April 2018 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Speak Out