Speak Out
April 2016
7
association news
On 16 September,
Speech Pathology Australia was invited
to present to the Select Committee on Access to South
Australian Education System for Students with a Disability. This
invitation follows the Association having made a comprehensive
submission to the Inquiry in September 2015. Informed by the
knowledge and experience of SA members concerning current
services, as well as recent research which mapped the NAPLAN
results for students with speech and language problems
(including specific data for SA children), the submission was able
to address a wide range of issues and current shortcomings.
SPA was represented at the hearing by National President,
Gaenor Dixon, Director Tim Kittel, and CEO, Gail Mulcair. The
chair of the Select Committee is Hon Kelly Vincent, member
of the SA Legislative Council and representing the Disability
with Dignity Party, who together with other members of the
Select Committee, has heard previous representations from the
Association and therefore are cognisant of the role of speech
pathology and the issues and challenges in effectively maximising
educational outcomes for children with communication disability.
In this context however we were able to present some pertinent
and wide ranging recommendations, which we hope will be
integrated into the final report of the Select Committee.
For access to the September 2015 submission go to
www.
speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/library/SPA%20Feedback%20SA%20Inquiry%20Students%20with%20
Disability%20final.pdf
Select committee
Students with disability
Top: SPA Chief
Executive Officer
Gail Mulcair, SPA
President Gaenor
Dixon and SPA
Director Tim Kittel.
(Select Committee
Chair Hon. Kelly
Vincent.