Capacity Building Outcomes of Kids Chat 2 You

Abstract

Kids Chat 2 You (KC2Y) was a community capacity building project that assisted families to advocate for funding for AAC and related speech-language pathology (SLP) support under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Delivering local workshops and individual information consultations, KC2Y SLPs provided families with AAC information, low-tech communication aids and Key Word Sign resources prior to NDIS rollout for each region. The aim of this study was to explore changes in children’s access to communication aids and the extent to which the KC2Y service supported family members to advocate for their child’s needs. Family members were invited to complete a survey nine months following the KC2Y service. Results indicated that families benefited from AAC education, with an increase in the number of children using multi-component AAC systems. However, advocacy is needed across all ages to support access to communication aids and related supports.

Keywords::

• Alternative And Augmentative Communication
• Low-Tech
• National Disability Insurance Scheme
• Capacity Building
• Family
• Children

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the generosity of the Bowness Family Foundation, Scope Australia and Westfield for providing funding.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hilary Johnson

Dr Hilary Johnson is a strategic research project advisor with Scope and adjunct professor at La Trobe University.

Marion Van Nierop

Marion Van Nierop is a speech pathologist and coordinator of the Non-electronic Communication Aid Service (NECAS) at Scope.

Alison Heppell

Alison Heppell is a speech pathologist working at Scope‘s Communication and Inclusion Resource Centre.

Jasmin Prewett

Jasmin Prewett is a speech pathologist who completed her Masters at Melbourne University in 2018 and works at MPower.

Teresa Iacono

Professor Teresa Iacono is professor of rural and regional allied health at La Trobe University.