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Speech Pathology 2030
- making futures happen
(
Speech Pathology 2030
) is a landmark project
commissioned by Speech Pathology Australia (SPA),
the peak professional body for speech pathologists in
Australia, on behalf of the speech pathology profession.
Between December 2015 and May 2016, the
Speech
Pathology 2030
project brought together over 1000
speech pathologists (both SPA members and non-
members), other professionals and a number of clients,
to create a shared vision for the future of speech
pathology in Australia.
This report,
Speech Pathology 2030
-
making futures
happen
, is the culmination of the project.
The report:
• presents the Australian speech pathology
profession’s shared vision and aspirations for the
future of speech pathology in Australia;
• features comments made by clients which support
the shared vision and aspirations;
• showcases a few of the many individuals, services
and organisations that are leading the way to
the future for the speech pathology profession in
Australia;
• highlights how the speech pathology profession
in Australia can prepare for the future by
understanding current drivers of change and
exploring opportunities and changes through the
use of scenarios; and
• provides a brief overview of the concomitant next
steps.
iii
For the note of the reader: the vision, and aspirations,
presented in this report were created by the profession for the
profession and as such the “voice” used throughout the report
is a collective one (i.e. use of the pronouns
our
and
we
to
represent the whole profession). For example: As a profession,
we
aspire to create futures for speech pathologists, speech
pathology and all of the people
we
work alongside every day.
Before commending you to read
Speech Pathology 2030 –
making futures happen
, it is important to highlight the solid
and resolute foundation speech pathology is built upon; our
purpose.
As speech pathologists our work supports each and every
person to:
• communicate effectively;
• eat and drink, balancing enjoyment and safety;
• connect and belong;
• exercise their right to self-determination;
• fulfil their day-to-day needs;
• participate in, and contribute to, their community;
• learn to their full potential; and
• expand and achieve their life choices.
Our purpose, as we head towards 2030, does not alter. We
steadfastly maintain our commitment to achieving these goals
for everyone in our community now and into the future.
Preamble