Speak Out August 2020 DIGITAL EDITION

And, the winners are... regions in Queensland and in a growing number of independent

Hilary, along with her colleagues at the Communication and Inclusion Resource Centre, developed the Triple C Checklist of Communicative Competencies, which remains the only communication access tool suitable for adults with severe communication impairment. Hilary’s contributions to Speech Pathology Australia were recognised early in her career, having been awarded the Elinor Wray award in 1988 and Fellowship in 1996. Hilary completed her PhD at La Trobe University in 2013 and was innovative in exploring how people with severe disabilities and complex communication needs develop and sustain social networks and interactions. In all, Hilary published five papers from her thesis in high quality journals. This work was followed by her success as first investigator on a $90,000 grant, awarded by the National Disability and Research Development scheme to translate the theoretical model developed in her PhD to an evidence-based intervention. In total, Hilary has authored 38 journal publications and has a Scopus H-index of 13, demonstrating high citations for her papers, especially those from her early work at the Saliva Clinic, and her PhD. She has also been an author of 10 books and book chapters. Hilary was integral in the development of the Communication Access Symbol. This symbol is awarded to businesses and services that meet determined criteria for communication access. Hilary’s contribution to the profession and to people with severe disability has been multifaceted and sustained across her career. Her work has been driven by a firm commitment to improving the lives of people with the most severe disability, using her considerable clinical, education, research and advocacy skills. Hilary’s clinical and research work has drawn the attention of international colleagues to the pioneering and ongoing innovative service delivery models and AAC supports for people with disability in Australia. Hilary is deeply devoted to serving educational context, Jenny’s leadership at the Reading Centre, saw the design and implementation of a state-wide Reading Disorders service that reflects core systemic principles, objectives and policies. Jenny’s collaborations with Australian and International researchers, together with her commitment to designing, implementing and disseminating clinical research has defined her position as a leader in speech pathology in education and in the literacy domain. Her high degree of credibility in the Senior Speech Language advisor position facilitates the formation of strategic alliances both internal to the Queensland Department of Education and with key external industry partners, to support and contribute to organisational objectives.

schools. It is successfully implemented in urban, rural and remote contexts via telehealth to isolated distance education students and accessed and implemented in educational jurisdictions across Australia. Jenny’s significant success in the implementation of Read It Again – Foundation Q! coincided with the opening of the Reading Centre. The Reading Centre was an initiative announced by the Department of Education, Advancing education: an action plan for education in Queensland, in October 2015. Jenny was seconded to the Reading Centre. Bringing her extensive experience, expertise and success in speech-language therapy services, delivered within an

Life Membership

Life Membership is the highest public professional honour the Association awards to members and is awarded to speech pathologists who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and committed service to the Association and profession over many years. In 2020 the Association was proud to award Life Membership to two exceptional members of the Association. Dr Hilary Johnson

Hilary is first and foremost an exemplary clinician. Her work with children with severe communication disorders in the areas of communication, saliva and mealtime management started early in her career while working in positions with specialist disability services. Hilary pioneered clinical interventions in each of these areas.

Hilary’s initiatives in the Severe Communication Impairment Outreach Program, the State Government’s Complex Communication Project, and setting up the Communication Resource Centre, have directly influenced the Department of Human Services’ understanding of the communication needs of people with a significant disability. Under Hilary’s leadership, the Communication and Inclusion Resource Centre has achieved far reaching and long term results, in increasing the understanding about communication access for people with complex communication needs, the role of AAC and knowledge of the services and systems required to meet those needs. This work built upon many previous years in which Hilary was successful in funding bids to initiate and evaluate innovative programs.

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August 2020 | Speak Out