Speak Out August 2021

Association NEWS

Get behind Speech Pathology Week

When this article was being written, metropolitan Melbourne was again back lockdown to combat the challenges thrown-up by a new outbreak of COVID-19. The Association’s national office was closed, and its staff were working remotely from their homes. Notwithstanding, planning for a new Speech Pathology Week is underway. This year, the Speech Pathology Week kit is back, along with the Speech Pathology Week digital campaign kit that proved so popular in 2020. The digital campaign kit is available for downloading from the Association’s website. The digital campaign kit includes a range of graphics and ideas about how members can use them to promote Speech Pathology Week and the week’s theme, via social media and other digital channels. Members will also find on the website, posters and fliers that can be downloaded and printed, either in their office or taken to a commercial printer. Everyone deserves to be understood – it’s a basic human right. There are 1.2 million Australians living with a communication disability. Every day speech pathologists work with these Australians to ensure that communication is everyone’s right. Recognising communication disability helps build a fairer society. Each year Speech Pathology Australia hosts Speech Pathology Week to create awareness of those in our community who have a communication difficulty and to promote the speech pathology profession. The theme for Speech Pathology Week in 2021 is ‘Communication is everyone’s right'. In 2021, Speech Pathology Week will run from 22-28 August.

Social media competition Following the success of last year’s Speech Pathology Week social media competition, it is on again in 2021. This year the prize is a $250 eftpos voucher. Entering the Speech Pathology Week social media competition is as easy as ABC. A. Take a photograph* of yourself with someone you believe is doing the most to advocate to ensure that communication is everyone’s right – they might be a friend or family member, or a professional colleague. And tell us how they are making a difference. (Make sure you have the person(s) approval to be used in the post!). C. Include the Association’s handle @ SpeechPathAus and the hashtag #SPweek or #speechpathologyweek. This is important! Otherwise the judges won’t see your entry! *NB. Do not post a photograph of anyone without their written permission, and be aware of copyright, privacy and related considerations. B. Post it on Instagram and/or Twitter

Michael Kerrisk Communications and Marketing Manager Join us for an online forum and discussion Monday 23 August On Monday 23 August, Speech Pathology Australia will host a forum around the theme for Speech Pathology Week in 2021: ‘Communication is everyone's right!’ The forum will be a panel discussion, facilitated by the Association’s National President, Tim Kittel. The panellists for the forum are: Meredith Allan, Disability Advocate and Consultant; Simon Oakley, Chair, Aphasia Victoria; Jewel Topsfield, Social Affairs Editor, The Age newspaper; and Jennifer Fitzgerald, Chief Executive Officer, SCOPE Australia AM. The event will commence at 7pm (AEST) and run for approximately one hour. It will be streamed live via the Speech Pathology Australia YouTube channel. The event will be watchable on a computer, mobile device or smart TV. Postpo ed! Look out for new details to come in your inbox!

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Speak Out | August 2021