Speech Pathology 2030

On 11 August 2016, Alastair McEwin, federal Disability Discrimination Commissioner, formally launched the final report for the Speech Pathology 2030 project.

Speech Pathology Australia has commissioned a landmark project: Speech Pathology 2030 – making futures happen. The aim of this project is to engage members of the profession in the development of a shared vision for how the profession will successfully respond to change over the next decade and beyond.

Find out about the project's objectives, the team behind the project, and other relevant information.

Project timeline

Between December 2015 and August 2016, a range of activities will occur. These activities will involve speech pathologists (both Speech Pathology Australia members and non-members), as well as clients and other stakeholders. The final Speech Pathology 2030 document will be launched during Speech Pathology Week in August 2016.

January 2016

Perspectives from beyond the profession

An important component of the project was to build an appreciation of the issues facing the speech pathology profession from the perspective of individuals who are not members of the profession. With your help, 20 clients (past and present) were identified and along with 20 'thought leaders' were interviewed by the Project Team. An article discussing some of the comments made and issues raised during the interviews was included in the April edition of Speak Out. In addition, a paper titled, Listening to clients  , summarising the client feedback was developed. You are invited to read this paper and share it with your friends and colleagues.

February 2016

Understanding the landscape

Having a thorough understanding of the current landscape including a snapshot of the speech pathology profession, and the drivers of change was an important starting point for the project. A stimulus paper, Understanding the Landscape , was developed to inform the Conversations about the future. A copy of the paper is now available. You are invited to read this paper and share it with your friends and colleagues.

February - March 2016

Conversations about the future

The Conversations about the future events were speech pathologist-led conversations where individuals came together to discuss their aspirations, dreams, concerns, and goals for the future of the speech pathology profession.

The Conversation about the future events occurred between Wednesday 24 February and Friday 11 March 2016. In total 87 events were registered with the Association. Thirty-five of these were 'open' events and 52 were 'closed' events where the host invited individuals to participate. Individuals who could not attend a Conversation about the future were invited to watch the presentation and submit feedback using an online survey. The survey is now closed.

The feedback gathered from the Conversations about the future events was collated and presented in Perspectives from beyond and within the speech pathology profession - a summary paper . This paper was used to inform a series of workshops and teleconferences held around the country during April 2016. You are invited to read this paper and share it with your friends and colleagues.

April 2016

Imagining possible futures

The next step was to categorise the key concepts emerging from the prior stages to develop a set of possible futures. This stage involved speech pathologists participating in workshops (or teleconferences) held in each state and territory in metropolitan and regional locations.

The schedule for workshops/teleconferences (now completed) is provided below.

May 2016

A vision to aspire to

The final stage of the project involved speech pathologists from around the country attending a workshop at the Speech Pathology Australia National Conference 2016 in Perth in May. The workshop focused on finalising a coherent vision for the speech pathology profession.

August 2016

Launch of the Speech Pathology 2030 - making futures happen report

You can be involved in Speech Pathology 2030 during August 2016 by attending the launch of the project's final report.

Further information about the project

The aims and objectives of the project

The Speech Pathology 2030 Project aims to:

• present a vision for the future of speech pathology in Australia.
• reflect the priorities, opportunities and challenges identified by the profession and its stakeholders as being important.
• document known trends likely to influence the profession.
• reflect the importance of being alert and responsive to emergent change.
• outline a clear role for Speech Pathology Australia in leading the profession into the future.

Background to the project

The Project arose from consultations for the current Speech Pathology Australia Strategic Plan 2014-2016.

The Speech Pathology 2030 Project Steering Committee has worked closely with the Project Team to ensure that the design of the project maximises engagement. The aim is for every speech pathologist in Australia to have an opportunity to participate in defining the vision for the future of speech pathology in Australia. Thus, whilst auspiced by Speech Pathology Australia, the Speech Pathology 2030 Project is not just for members. It is about the speech pathology profession as a whole, for the profession, by the profession.

Your involvement in the project

Extensive member and non-member engagement is a vital for the achievement of the aims of the Speech Pathology 2030 Project. It is only through a high level of involvement of the profession that we will be able to produce a report that will be useful to all speech pathologists, now and into the future

Each stage of the project is outlined below, including the specific activities planned and how you can be involved.

Please be part of this exciting project; make futures happen for you, make futures happen for your profession and most importantly make futures happen for your clients.

Speech Pathology 2030 – Project Team

The Speech Pathology 2030 Project Team will support and facilitate involvement of speech pathologists (and others) in each of the planned activities. The project team includes:

• External consultants led by Young Futures – Gretchen Young, Katy O'Callaghan and Jane Haswell
• National Office staff member – Christine Lyons.

For further information about any of the activities listed on this page contact Speech Pathology Australia.

Speech Pathology 2030 – Steering Committee

The work of the Project Team is overseen by a Speech Pathology 2030 Steering Committee. Members of the committee include:

• Gaenor Dixon, National President, Speech Pathology Australia
• Chyrisse Heine, Board of Directors representative, Speech Pathology Australia
• Robyn Stephen, Board of Directors representative, Speech Pathology Australia
• Gail Mulcair, Chief Executive Officer, Speech Pathology Australia
• Christine Lyons, Project Lead, Speech Pathology Australia
• Trish Johnson, staff representative, Speech Pathology Australia
• Michael Kerrisk, staff representative, Speech Pathology Australia.