Speak Out October 2018

Speech Pathology Week

Access for all

SP Week socials! Follows, likes and engagements were strong during SPA's Speech Pathology Week social media campaign. 520 extra Facebook 'likes'

IN AUGUST 2018 the theme for Speech Pathology Week was “Communication access is communication for all.” As in 2017, the theme for this year’s campaign drew on one of the eight aspirations from the Speech Pathology 2030 – Making futures happen project. A central focus of this year’s campaign was to highlight to the wider public the reality that communication is more than just “speech”, and that Australians with communication disability communicate in many different ways. Speech Pathology Week aimed to demonstrate the growing and vital role that technology plays in keeping Australians with communication difficulties engaged with their family, friends and the wider community, while recognising that many communicate with others using a variety of means, including word- based or picture-based communication boards or books, sign and gesture, and spelling. A key component of the campaign for Speech Pathology Week was the production of a series of videos to show how speech pathologists work with their clients to find and introduce assistive technology. Each video involved an interview with a speech pathologist and one of their clients. The series highlighted the challenges faced by Australians with a communication disability and how technology is helping to make communication access a reality. In addition, nearly 500 Speech Pathology Week kits were packed and distributed to Association members who had pre-ordered them online. The kits included magnets, stickers, fliers, wristbands, pens and the Speech Pathology Week poster. Other materials were downloadable from the Association website, including the Speech Pathology Week poster and email signature. A large number of Association members were able to secure local regional and community media to promote Speech Pathology Week. This included articles in newspapers as dispersed as the Port Stephens Examiner, the Wangaratta Chronicle, and the Stanthorpe Border Post. The use of the Speech Pathology Week media release template was clearly in evidence. Congratulations to all the Association’s members who were able to spread the word via regional and community newspapers. The Association also ran a strong social media campaign, with a strong following on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook throughout the week. Finally, a huge thank you to all the members who got involved in Speech Pathology Week 2018 in one form or another. The success of the week is directly related to your hard work, efforts and commitments.

173,428 Total people reached

116,979 total video views

1081 total shares

50 new Twitter followers

52,700 impressions

Below was the top performing Instagram post during Speech Pathology Week. 276 'likes'

Gold Coast Speech Pathology Private Practice held a member's breakfast, The breakfast headed up a big week of library displays, quizzes and kindy talks. Gold Coast SP Week breakfast

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October 2018 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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