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Link Assistive
Join Our Team!
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities? Link Assistive is seeking a self-motivated Assistive Technology Consultant to join our team in Sydney (NSW). This role would suit an experienced Speech Pathologist or Occupational Therapist.
Position Title: Assistive Technology Consultant
Employment Type: Part-time/Full-time – negotiable
Location: Sydney, (NSW)
About Link Assistive
At Link Assistive, we're dedicated to fostering connections, facilitating learning, and enabling participation through tailored assistive and technology solutions for communication (speech generating devices, communication apps and eye tracking devices). Our commitment to providing high-quality, individualised solutions sets us apart. For more information, visit www.linkassistive.com.
Summary
Join our team as an Assistive Technology Consultant and play a vital role in transforming the lives of individuals with disabilities. Based in Sydney, NSW, you will increase awareness of Link Assistive’s products and services, provide high-quality support and consultation, and develop meaningful relationships within the industry. With no KPIs or billable hours, your focus is on the client to deliver exceptional results.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead efforts to enhance Link Assistive’s presence in Sydney, NSW, and the ACT.
- Provide expert assistive technology support, training, and consultation to therapists, clients, and stakeholders.
- Conduct product demonstrations and deliver information sessions on Assistive Technology.
- Stay updated on evidence-based practices and best practices in the field.
- Support primary clinicians and their clients during trials of Link Assistive products.
- Represent Link Assistive at conferences and expos nationwide.
Requirements
- Experience in the health, disability, or aged care sector, with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.
- Passion for assistive technologies and improving the lives of individuals with disabilities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Tertiary qualification in a disability-related area, such as Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy.
- Registration with relevant professional associations or bodies where applicable.
Additional Criteria
- Driver’s license and access to own vehicle.
- Completion of worker screening and identity checks, including relevant certifications and checks.
- Fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
How to Apply
If you’re ready to make a difference and join a dynamic team, submit your CV and cover letter to sunny@linkassistive.com.
Employment 4 U Disability Forum
When: Saturday 27th April 2024, 9am - 3pm
Where: Phillip Street Community & Family Precinct - 1 Pengelly Street, West Gladstone, QLD
Join us at the Employment 4 U Disability Forum on April 27th at Phillip Street Communities and Families Precinct, Gladstone.
Hear from local people with disabilities about their employment journeys and successes. Learn about customised employment options tailored to your abilities, passions and skills.
If you are experiencing challenges in finding meaningful paid work or you are interested in exploring different employment options, then join us to learn more.
Connect with peers, ask questions, and gain insights on navigating challenges and accessing NDIS support.
There will be guest speakers and presentations
Diversity and inclusion in Australian Autism research
What is the research about? We want to hear peoples perspectives and experiences of autism research. This will help us to better understand how diverse and inclusive Australian autism research is.
Who is doing the research? Autistic people and researchers from the University of Technology Sydney.
Who can participate? Autistic people, Autism researchers (Autistic and non-Autistic), 18 years of age or older, Living in Australia
How can I be involved? Video call (Zoom), Phone, Chat, Online form, Video or audio recording, Email, Postal form.
You can choose to be interviewed by an Autistic or non-Autistic researcher.
You will receive a $50 gift card.
We want to talk to people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
How can I register my interest? Click this link: https://tinyurl.com/yckm2pam Or use the QR code
If you have any questions, you can email Dr Rachel Grove and Hayley Clapham: autismresearch@uts.edu.au
The Cerebral Palsy Education Centre in Victoria (CPEC)
PODD Advanced 5-day Workshop
Presented by senior speech pathologists Gayle Porter & Melissa Riepsamen
This intensive advanced PODD workshop is for people who have completed a two day PODD Introductory workshop and are now seeking to further develop their knowledge and skill. (Note: Completion of an advanced PODD course is a pre‐requisite for people who are interested in applying for certification as a PODD presenter in the future.)
This course aims to build on current knowledge and fluency using PODD communication books for individuals who have begun to implement these strategies with students. Focus will be on building fluency, refining observational assessment and implementation planning skills, and strategies for training communication partners. The course will also provide opportunities for problem‐solving more complex challenges. Content will include case studies from participants.
After this 5-Day course, participants will have developed the ability to:
- Explain the features of a range of PODD communication systems in terms of vocabulary organization, layout, design, range of access strategies, and customising for individual requirements
- Describe the reasons for the similarities and differences between PODD page sets deigned for communication books and speech generating devices.
- Develop fluency using PODD to model language during natural interactions.
- Communicate using PODD communication books with a range of different access methodologies
- Use a dynamic assessment process to identify individual communication requirements and teaching-learning strategies
- Describe different learning challenges for children who have severe physical, communication, and multiple needs (including CVI) and identify specific strategies to address these needs
- Discuss the application of PODD for individuals with ASD.
- Discuss the teaching and learning strategies for implementing PODD communication systems with students and team members
- Teach communication partners to provide receptive input using PODD communication books
- Teach children and partners to use PODD communication books in daily environments
- Identify strategies to combat the challenges faced by professionals creating an aided language learning environment for children with a wide range of complex communication needs.
- Answer frequently asked questions
- Develop IEP goals and tools to measure the development of autonomous communication
Where: Cerebral Palsy Education Centre, Glen Waverley VIC 3150
When: 9am - 5pm, Monday July 8th - Friday July -12th 2024
Cost: $1,411.45
For more information and link to register: Advanced PODD tickets
Teaching Movements for Communication
Presented by CPEC's senior therapists, Claire Cotter and Gayle Porter
For some children with complex communication needs, it is the method of accessing the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system that is significantly affecting their development of intelligible, autonomous communication. These children, who have significant physical and/or sensory challenges, often need to learn movements to access AAC systems. This intensive five day workshop will provide participants with an in depth opportunity to explore the movement differences associated with cerebral palsy, other significant neurological movement impairments (eg Rett Syndrome, Pitt Hopkins, Cri Du Chat, etc.), and severe sensory processing challenges. There will be a focus on identifying these posture and movement challenges in relation to their impact on communication development, assessment and intelligibility. A range of strategies and a process to teach movements for communication will be demonstrated.
This five day intensive workshop will be most effective for teams who are working with children who have severe physical and sensory challenges and are struggling to access augmentative communication systems. Teams may include: speech language pathologists, educators, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, family members, school leadership and support personnel. However, it will also be of significant value and give direction and knowledge to individual therapists, educators and family members. It would be helpful, but not a requirement, for one of the members of the team to have previously attended an Introductory PODD (Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display Communication) training.
After this five-day workshop, participants will have developed their ability to:
- Identify the role of movement in communication.
- Identify the communication and cognitive assessment challenges for individuals who have sensory motor challenges and complex communication needs.
- Describe the key movement issues that affect the development of all graded movement including that required for intelligible communication.
- Observe and analyze the movement for children whose motor and/or sensory processing challenges affect their development of intelligible communication. This includes children with cerebral palsy (and like conditions), other syndromes (e.g. Rett, Pitt Hopkins, Cri Du Chat, etc.) and global developmental delay.
- Explain how to accommodate for challenging postural control.
- Explain how to develop sensory & motor control of selective movements.
- Describe an intervention process for developing movements and operational competencies for more intelligible, independent, autonomous communication.
- Assess and teach movements for communication using gesture, non-electronic and electronic AAC systems including direct pointing, eye-gaze, scanning access.
When: 9am - 5pm Monday July 1st - Friday July 7th 2024
Cost: $1,408.59
For more information and link to register: Teaching Movements for communication
The Curtin School of Allied Health is pleased to announce the commencement of two new graduate certificates in 2024:
Graduate Certificate in Positive Behaviour Support (Course code: GC-POSBS)
Graduate Certificate in Complex Communication Needs (Course code: GC-COMCN)
Further information is provided on the website for each course.
- Graduate Certificate in Positive Behaviour Support https://www.curtin.edu.au/study/offering/course-pg-graduate-certificate-in-positive-behaviour-support--gc-posbs/
- Graduate Certificate in Complex Communication Needs https://www.curtin.edu.au/study/offering/course-pg-graduate-certificate-in-complex-communication-needs--gc-comcn/
LAMP training
2 day LAMP training
Where: Melbourne VIC: Southern Autistic School, 12 Margaretta Street, Bentleigh East.
When: Tuesday 23rd - Wednesday 24th April 2024, 9.30am - 4pm (AEDT).
2 day LAMP training
Where: Albury, NSW: Icaria Health, 714 Young Street.
When: Thursday 9th & Friday 10th May 2024, 9.30am - 4pm (AEDT)
2 day LAMP training
Where: Hindmarsh, SA: Novita, 31 Manton Street.
When: Tuesday 4th & Wednesday 5th June 2024, 9.30am - 4pm (ACST)
2 day LAMP training
Where: Haberfield, NSW: Haberfield Centre, Graham Yarroll Room, 78 Dalhousie Street
When: Tuesday 18th & Wednesday 19th June 2024, 10am - 4.30pm (AEDT).
For more information and link to tickets: LAMP training dates
2 day Learn to Write Easy English training Presented by Access Easy English Participants will develop an understanding of Easy English, review currentresources and research, and begin to develop their own Easy English document with the support of Access Easy English staff. This training focuses on all elements of implementing Easy English, including language and use of images. It is an interactive workshop with numerous opportunities for participants to practise their new skills in activities and in their own document. Website and internet access is explored. Participants also consider the organisational implementation of Easy English. This course is suitable for anyone who writes information for the public: communications staff; support workers, planners, therapists, disability advocates, teachers, community educators, survey developers, researchers, report writers, website writers, lawyers, work safety staff, NDIS staff & providers, My Aged Care staff & providers, administrative staff, project workers, Health Promotions staff... Where: Online via Zoom When: Monday 20 May and Wednesday 22 May 2024 Time: 9:15am – 5pm Melbourne time. Cost: $625 + GST For more information and link to tickets: Humanitix Insights to Literacy for Communications and Marketing Presented by Access Easy English Is your message getting through? A 2 hour webinar where you will learn 2 day Learn to Write Easy English training Presented by Access Easy English Participants will develop an understanding of Easy English, review current Let's be Clear Presented by Access Easy English A series of 2 hour interactive webinars to be held in June. Come to one or For more information and link to tickets: Humanitix Technology for Easy English Presented by Access Easy English A series of webinars to be held in July exploring technology and Easy For more information and link to tickets: Humanitix
ISAAC survey What if scrubs could talk? We are seeking people with communication disability and their family/close supports and health professionals and AAC experts to answer this short SURVEY. Survey closes Friday 26th April 2024 Talking scrubs survey - information and consent form
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Family camp for children using Communication Aids
Hosted by Scope
This specially designed three day camp for children 7 - 14 years of age is the perfect opportunity to connect with other families and learn how to use your child’s Communication Aids, in a friendly and supportive environment.
You and your child will:
- Meet other children that communicate in a similar way (often the first time!)
- Learn from experienced Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) mentors
- Practice their communication skills in an intensive and supportive environment
- Work on your child’s communication goals
Where: Friday 26th April 2024
When: Lady Northcote Discovery Camp, Glenmore, Victoria
Time: 5pm
Informed Page Set Selection
Presented by Zyteq
Informed Page Set Selection
How to Choose a Page Set or App for Your Communication Device...(Even if You Don't Have Much AAC Experience or You're Worried About Making the Wrong Decision)
Featuring: Zyteq's Updated and Expanded Page Set & App Selection Framework
After completing this course you will be able to:
- understand the foundation elements and dynamic process for selecting a page set, grid set or app
- identify individual needs, preferences and requirements and integrate these into AAC technology recommendations.
- apply efficient practice and clinical reasoning to systematically consider the array of options, to match the person to the technology.
- apply the framework as part of your decision-making process, resulting in sound recommendations.
- 4 x 1 1/2 hour sessions (A total of 6 hours PD)
- Certificate of Attendance
- 6 hours CPD points (Australia)
- BONUS Access to recordings for 3 months
Where: Thursday May 30, June 6, 13 and 20, 2024
When: All 4 sessions: 12:00PM to 1:30PM AEST (MEL/SYD/CAN time)
For more information and to register: Informed page set selection