From Monday through to Thursday, speech pathologists are manning a stall in the entrance foyer of the Warrnambool Base Hospital from 10-11am.

Members of the public are invited to come in and ask questions of the speech pathologists.   

On a national level, 1.2 million Australians have a communication disability. 

SWH Speech Pathology manager, Claire Nailon, said communication accessibility was the key. 

“Like mobility or wheelchair access, communication access enables people with communication disorders to get their message across by removing barriers to effective communication, or providing extra support and strategies,” Ms Nailon.

“Communication access is vital to enable everyone to participate fully in the social, educational, economic and sporting aspects of community life here in our region.

“Communication is a basic human right and Australia needs to do more to achieve communication access for those with a communication disability. People with communication difficulties often experience  communication barriers to their full participation in community life. This may lead to social and emotion isolation.”

She said technology such as electronic communication and speech generating devices, voice amplification and computer access aids are tools that can help those with communication disability.

For more information on Speech Pathology Week go to www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/week