Australia’s National Speech Pathology Week was run from 20 to 26 August and to mark the event, Elsa and Jas, two of Mpower’s fabulous speech pathologists, arranged with Warrnambool Library staff to hold a special information session at the Warrnambool Library on Friday, 25 August.

The event offered a unique platform for community members to connect with speech pathologists, ask questions, and gain valuable insights.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ 2015 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC), estimated that 1.2 million Australians had some level of communication disability  but with a skills shortage in this field, opportunities to hear directly from speech pathologists in an open forum about their work are limited.  

Speech Pathology Week is an annual event to highlight the importance of communication and the role of speech pathologists in helping individuals overcome communication challenges. This year's theme, "Communicating with Confidence," focuses on promoting effective communication skills and the positive impact speech pathologists have on people's lives.

As members of a leading organisation dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and their families, Mpower staff witness first-hand the significance of speech pathology in transforming lives. Through the information session hosted at the Warrnambool Library, Mpower aims to shed light on the various aspects of speech pathology and its benefits for individuals of all ages.

Attendees had the chance to learn about the diverse range of communication disorders speech pathologists address, and the innovative techniques they employ to enhance communication skills.

"We are thrilled to celebrate 2023 Speech Pathology Week by hosting this informative session in collaboration with the Warrnambool Library," said Kevin Mills, CEO at Mpower. "Speech pathologists are unsung heroes of our community, making a tremendous difference in the lives of those who face communication challenges. This event is an opportunity to showcase their expertise and give members of our community an opportunity to understand what support exists in this specialized field. “

Mpower extends its heartfelt thanks to the speech pathologists who work tirelessly to empower individuals to communicate confidently and effectively and Speech Pathology Week serves as a reminder of the positive impact they have for individuals, families and communities.