Speech Pathology Week 2020

There are 1.2 million Australians with communication disability. Speech pathologists support these Australians to go about each day communicating with confidence.

In Australia, communication disability is largely invisible. Unseen and out-of-sight.

Australians with communication disability cannot maximise future educational, health and social outcomes, without the intervention of a speech pathologist. Communicating with confidence is vital to enable everyone to participate fully in the social, educational, economic and sporting aspects of any community, including the Illawarra community.

That’s why during Speech Pathology Week, from 23-29 August 2020, speech pathologists around Australia are highlighting the week’s theme: Communicating with Confidence.

Only 38 per cent of Australians with communication disability are participating in the workforce compared with 80 per cent of people without communication disability.

Communication, by definition, involves at least two people. It is important that everyone understands that communication is more than speech.

Australians with communication difficulties communicate with others using a variety of means, including word-based or picture-based communication boards or books, sign and gesture, and spelling.

Technology is playing a growing and vital role in keeping Australians with communication difficulties engaged with their family, friends and those in the Illawarra. Assistive technology, such as electronic communication and speech generating devices, voice amplification and computer access aids (including eye-gaze mouse control and head tracking devices) allow people with communication difficulties to communicate with those around them.