7 / 30
2015 ANNUAL REPORT Speech Pathology Australia
7
International Communication
Project
Speech Pathology Australia was one of the founding
organisations behind the International Communication
Project 2014. In 2015, the aim of ICP was to “[E]nsure global
health policy explicitly recognises, covers, informs, and
addresses communication disabilities”.
Arising from this new direction, the ICP engaged Weber
Shandwick, an internationally recognised consulting
business, to give effect to this new gaol.
The Weber Shandwick brief is to help strengthen the ICP’s
international advocacy endeavours and efforts to have
communication disorders and disabilities formally recognised
by international health policy, international health policy
makers, and international health organisations.
In achieving this, Weber Shandwick is to develop a
Peak Body Representation
Speech Pathology Australia has maintained representation
throughout 2015 on the following bodies:
•
National Aged Care Alliance
•
Mental Health Australia
•
National Rural Health Alliance
•
Consumers Health Forum
•
Allied Health Professions Australia
•
National Alliance of Self Regulating Health
Professions
•
Professions Australia
•
National Primary Healthcare Partnership
•
DVA Health Consultative Forum
Working Groups and Task Forces
The Hon Sussan Ley, Minister for Health during her opening address at the
2015 National Conference.
Speech Pathology Australia President Gaenor Dixon, Senator Rachel Siewert
and Professor Sharynne McLeod at the Senate hearing on 25 September.
• Invited Parliamentary Briefing of South Australian Members
of the Legislative Council, hosted by Hon Kelly Vincent,
MLA
• Appearance at the Senate Community Affairs References
Committee on “Inquiry into the current levels of access and
attainment for students with disability in the school system,
and the impact on students and families associated with
inadequate levels of support”
• Opening address at 2015 National Conference by The Hon
Sussan Ley, Minister for Health
• Attendance at key policy consultations, including:
- Review of Medicare Benefits Schedule
Consultation with Health Professions and subsequent
MBS Stakeholder forums
- Primary Health Care Advisory Group Allied Health
consultative forum
- National Strategic Framework for Chronic Conditions
consultative forum
framework of action that will guide the ICP founding
organisations as they advocate for higher profile and status
of communication disabilities with international bodies and
policy makers for the purpose of securing explicit recognition
of communication disabilities in world health policy.
Additionally, all founding organisations have pursued and
undertaken their own International Communication Project
work locally throughout 2015.
This work is continuing in 2016.
• ABS Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers Working
Group (SDAC)
• Federal Department of Health Aged Care Standards
Technical Advisory Group
• South Australian Transforming Helath Allied Health and
Scientific Professional Associates Group
• NDIS Ealry Childhood Intervention National Guidelines
Working Group
• Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood
Development Learning Difficulties and Dsylexia
Working Group