Speech Pathology Week 2019

This graphic displays one of the postcards from the Speech Pathology Week kit. It displays an eye chart that reads You cannot always see communication disability. In 2019, Speech Pathology Week is 25-31 August.

Speech Pathology Week seeks to promote the speech pathology profession and the work done by speech pathologists with the more than 1.2 million Australians who have a communication disability that impacts on their daily life.

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

Speech pathologists work to ensure everyone can communicate with confidence. It is important that the broader community understands that:

1.2 million Australians live with communication disability
Communication disability is largely invisible. Unseen and out-of-sight
More confident communication helps maximise educational, health and social outcomes
Communication is more than just speech.

Theme

The theme for Speech Pathology Week in 2019 is: Communicating with confidence!

Social media competition

This photograph shows a young woman holding a sign with the Speech Pathology Week 2019 logo, as a person needs to do who wants to enter the Speech Pathology Week social media competition. Thank you to everyone who participated in the competition. Congratulations to the winner, Helena Giannoukas.

Enter the Speech Pathology Week social media competition for a chance to win a $150 eftpos voucher. It’s as simple as ABC:

Take a photograph of yourself holding a print-out of the Speech Pathology Week 2019 logo (download the logo now) .
Upload your photograph to any or all of the following social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn. Make sure the post is tagged with the Speech Pathology Australia handle (@speechpathaus) and the hashtag #SPweek.
The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Tuesday 3 September.

Campaign Kits

Orders for Speech Pathology Week kits have now closed.

Media Release template (Member-only)

A media release template is available for members to use to promote Speech Pathology Week and the week's theme: Communicating with Confidence. Download the Media Release Template This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in Microsoft Word Format. . (NB. A reminder to members that they need to log-in to access this file.)

Digital Campaign Materials

The Association had made a range of Speech Pathology Week campaign materials available online, including:

an a series of four A4-sized (double-sided) fliers - available in an office-ready printing format . If artwork is required for a commerical printer, email Speech Pathology Australia.
an an A3-sized campaign poster in an office-ready format . If artwork is required for a commerical printer, email Speech Pathology Australia.
a line drawing - great for a children's colouring-in competition
an email signature (NB. This file may need to be resized for use). Once placed as a email signature, link to this page or the website's home page.
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

Speech Pathology Week 2019 logo

The Speech Pathology Week 2019 logo may be download in high- and low-resolution formats. The former is best for printing purposes and the latter for use online, digital (including PowerPoint) or social media purposes. Contact Speech Pathology Australia if the logo is required in another format or resolution.

Download low resolution version (jpg format)

Download high resolution version (jpg format).

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, http://www.scopeaust.org.au

Speech Pathology Week in past years

For information about Speech Pathology Week in past years contact the Association.