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Speak Out October 2015 13
as speech pathology. Super Speechie
decides that she needs to revisit the
information from the Marketing workshop
that she attended, and have another look
at the website for the practice, so that
it provides the sort of information that
NDIS participants may need to know.
Those professional networks are also
going to be important, and she may
need some up-to-date information to
allied colleagues and others who may
recommend her.
It has happened! Super Speechie has
received the call from her first potential
NDIS participant. How is it all going to
work from here?
The next steps may vary a little, depending
on which support item Super Speechie will
be offering. If the participant’s plan is being
agency managed, Super Speechie will
need to get the participant’s NDIS number,
and their date of birth. With these in hand,
she can go onto the Provider Portal via
the NDIS website, and ‘connect to the
participant’ and then make a claim for
payment. It is relatively simple to claim for
supports through the NDIS portal, and the
NDIS pays promptly, usually within two to
three days of the claim being submitted.
Super Speechie requests a copy of the
NDIS plan from the participant, so that she
knows their goals and can talk through
with them what type of speech pathology
interventions she will provide, what the
outcomes may be, how these may be
measured and how often, and when it may
be appropriate to review the plan.
To be continued...
In the next edition of Speak Out, we will
follow Super Speechie in her further
engagement with the NDIS, as she
grapples with her responsibilities as a
provider of Trans-disciplinary support,
developing a Service Plan, and acting as
a Lead Agency!
cathy olsson
Project Consultant, Disability
Members may view the recently
posted NDIS Terminology FAQ on
the SPA website.
Speech Pathology Australia’s Board of Directors is responsible for
the strategic development, implementation and evaluation of the Association's
policies and procedures within the rules of the Constitution.
Three Directors are elected to the Office Bearer positions of President, Vice
President Operations (VPO) and Vice President Communication (VPC), which
forms the Board Executive Subcommittee (BES).
Under the revised Constitution Board nominations are currently being sought
for four positions.
Directors hold major responsibility within the Association and as such, many
Directors have never previously undertaken a role with similar legal, financial
and strategic management responsibilities.
Every possible support and assistance is provided by experienced Directors,
especially members of the Board Executive Subcommittee, the Chief Executive
Officer and National Office staff.
This key leadership role offers a wonderful opportunity to develop new skills
and contribute significantly to the strategic direction of the Association and
the speech pathology profession. Directors are required to attend four Board
meetings each year.
Board nomination forms and an information package are available on
our website. Each nomination must address key selection criteria and
completed nomination forms must be received at National Office by
Friday 30 January 2015.
The appointments will be effective from the 2016 Annual General Meeting in
May for a period of two years.
Any voting member is encouraged to nominate, while retiring Directors are
eligible to renominate. Elections will be held if more than four nominations are
received.
For further information, please see the Director Position Description, contained
within the Policy and Procedures Manual, available on the Speech Pathology
Australia website or contact a current Director, or Gail Mulcair (Chief Executive
Officer).
Call for Board nominations
board nominations
NDIS Allied Health Professionals
Workshops available in all trial sites
Expressions of interest are now open for SPA members to participate in a
workshop designed to assist Allied Health Professionals working with the
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). These workshops have been
developed and delivered by Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA)
including SPA, and the Personal Injury Education Foundation (PIEF), and
supported by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
This full day workshop will be held in the following trial sites:
Numbers are strictly limited, so to attend a workshop, book NOW! To
register your interest, visit or for further
information email
• Mon 19 October – Geelong
• Wed 4 November – Canberra
• Fri 6 November – Newcastle
• Wed 18 November – Adelaide
• Tue 24 November – Midland
Trial Site Office
• Thu 26 November – Hobart.