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Speech Pathology 2030 - making futures happen
1
Introduction
Speech Pathology 2030 – making futures happen
is a
landmark project commissioned, on behalf of the speech
pathology profession, by Speech Pathology Australia, the peak
professional body for speech pathologists in Australia.
This pioneering project engaged the profession, clients and
other professionals to:
• develop a vision for the future of speech pathology in
Australia;
• identify the priorities, opportunities and challenges the
profession, clients and other professionals see as important;
• explore drivers of change likely to influence the profession,
directly and indirectly;
• reflect the importance of being alert and responsive to
emergent change; and
• outline a clear role for Speech Pathology Australia in leading
the profession into the future.
The unique method utilised for the project was shaped by the
principles of futures thinking, including:
• exploring a wide range of different
possibilities;
• embracing diverse
perspectives;
• encouraging and enabling
participation;
• recognising the importance of acting in the
present
, rather
than waiting for the future; and
• appreciating that the
process
matters and is the beginning
of change.
Each of the stages of the project built on the one before,
allowing the findings from every stage and the perspectives of
each contributor to be brought together to shape the vision for
the future presented in this document.
The engagement and enthusiasm of clients, our professional
colleagues and speech pathologists from across the country
was tremendous. Over 1000 speech pathologists (both SPA
members and non-members) contributed to one or more of the
project stages.