Speech Pathology Week 2017

In 2017, Speech Pathology Week is 20-26 August.

Speech Pathology Week seeks to promote the speech pathology profession and the work done by speech pathologists with the more than 1.1 million Australians who have a communication or swallowing disorder that impacts on their daily life.

Communication is a basic human right and Speech Pathology Week seeks to promote this fact.

Theme

The theme for Speech Pathology Week in 2017 is: Communication access: Everyone gets the message!

This theme draws on one of the eight key aspirations from the Speech Pathology 2030 project, while reinforcing the important role that speech pathologists play in the lives of Australians with speech and swallowing difficulties.

Tips for successful communication*

• Always treat the person with the communication disability with dignity and respect
• Be welcoming and friendly
• Understand there are many ways to communicate
• Ask the person with the disability what will help with communication
• Avoid loud locations, find a quiet place
• Listen carefully
• When you don’t understand, let them know you are having difficulty understanding
• If you think the person has not understood, repeat what you have said or say it a different way
• Try asking the person yes or no questions if you are having difficulty understanding them
• Ask the person to repeat or try another approach if you don’t understand
• To make sure you are understood, check with the person that you have understood them correctly
• If you ask a question, wait for the person to reply
• Allow the person time to respond, so always be patient
• Speak directly to the person and make eye contact. (Though be mindful that there are some people who may not want you to look at them, e.g. some people with autism spectrum disorder)
• Speak normally. There is no need for you to raise your voice or slow your speech.

*Source: Adapted from SCOPE, Communication for All Booklet, www. http://www.scopeaust.org.au

Media Release Template

A media release template is available for members to use to promote Speech Pathology Week and the week's theme, "Communication Access - Everyone gets the message". Download the Media Release Template 

Campaign Kits

Orders for Speech Pathology Week 2017 Campaign Kits have now closed with all available collateral allocated. All kits will go into the mail in the week commencing 31 July. Allow 5-10 working days for delivery.

Digital Campaign Materials

The Association is also making available a range of campaign materials, including:

• an A5-sized flyer - available in an office-ready and print-ready (commercial printer) formats 
• an A2-sized campaign poster - available in an office-ready and print-ready (commercial printer) formats 
• a line drawing of the Speech Pathology Week logo - great for a children's colouring-in competition 
• the campaign logo (see below) is available in a web-ready format (72 dpi) and a high resolution format (300 dpi). Both formats supply the logo with large dimensions (width x height) and should be scaled to the size required.

Social media

Help promote Speech Pathology Week through social media. Where appropriate, remember to include the Association’s handle @SpeechPathAus and/or the hashtag #SPweek

In addition, use the Speech Pathology Email Signature Block to promote the week through email traffic.

Logo

The Speech Pathology Week 2017 logo is available in a web-ready format (72 dpi) and a high resolution print format (300 dpi). With both formats, the logo should be scaled to the size required. Contact the Association if you require the logo in another format.

Speech Pathology Week in past years