The AGOSCI Award for Service to AGOSCI

The AGOSCI/Key Word Sign Australia Karen Bloomberg Award

This award, named in honour of Karen Bloomberg, recognises an individual, who may or may not be an AGOSCI member, who has demonstrated a high level of commitment to low tech/unaided AAC in Australia, in the areas of research, implementation, or practice.

Nominations are invited from AGOSCI members and KWSA Team members. If conferred by the Awards Committee in conjunction with KWSA, the award will be presented at the AGOSCI National Conference.

2022 - Elizabeth (Libby) Brownlie

2025 - Who will you nominate?

Karen Bloomberg was a pioneering speech pathologist and a founding member of AGOSCI, dedicated to enhancing communication access for individuals with complex communication needs. With over 40 years of experience, she was instrumental in developing and promoting Key Word Sign across Australia since the 1980s, recognising its benefits for many with communication challenges.

Her commitment to the field was acknowledged in 2017 when she was inducted into the Lifetime Achievement Honour Roll at the Victoria Disability Awards. In recognition of her significant contributions, AGOSCI and Key Word Sign Australia established the "AGOSCI/Key Word Sign Australia Karen Bloomberg Award," honouring outstanding commitment to unaided AAC in research, clinical practice, teaching, or mentoring. The inaugural award was presented in 2022.

Karen passed away peacefully in 2021, leaving a lasting legacy in the AAC community.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR THE 2025 AWARDS?

If so, please complete the form below. Nominations close 9th February 2025.