Writing for everyone: emergent to transitional using alternative access
Webinar overview
Writing is for everyone. This webinar series will include a short summary of writing development from emergent writing through to conventional, focusing on the skills that individuals need to develop to progress as writers.
Assistive technology suppliers Zyteq, Liberator and Link Assistive will explore various tools to support literacy and language learning via alternative access.
Learning outcomes
1. An understanding of writing development (emergent, transitional, conventional)
2. Awareness of some assistive technology products available that can support writing development via alternative access
3. Basic understanding of how to use assistive technology product features to support writing development via alternative access
Target audience
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Speech pathologists, teachers, other professionals supporting people using AAC, parents.
Workshop details
-
This is a LIVE, online workshop delivered via zoom
-
This workshop is run over 2 x 1.5 hour sessions
-
This workshop will be recorded and available to view by paid attendees afterwards
-
It is strongly recommended that you attend both workshops
-
Questions are encouraged! If you have a question about writing development or particular tool please email your question to education@agosci.org.au by 20 March 2025
-
There will be time for Q & A after each presentation
-
Please note that product features and availability can change over time, so always check with the supplier for current options.
Workshop 1
-
Writing development summary with Jane Farrall followed by 10 minutes for live Q & A
-
Zyteq demonstration followed by 10 minutes for live Q & A
Workshop 2
-
Liberator demonstration followed by 10 minutes for live Q & A
-
Link Assistive demonstration followed by 10 minutes for live Q & A
Workshop session dates
-
Thursday 27 March 2025 12pm -1.30pm AEDT
-
Friday 28 March 2025 12pm -1.30pm AEDT
Workshop start times
NSW/VIC/TAS/ACT: 12pm
QLD: 11am
SA: 11.30am
NT: 10.30am
WA: 9am
Presenters
Jane Farrall
Jane Farrall is a speech pathologist and a special educator who is passionate about engendering optimal literacy opportunities and outcomes for the many students she supports. Based on over 30 years in this field, she believes in the power of literacy for all students irrespective of their formal level of academic ability. Jane currently works as a consultant to schools across Australia and overseas, focusing on implementing literacy practices for the best outcomes for all students. She has also, for many years, been an advocate of the power of assistive technologies supporting these outcomes. But she strongly recognises that the technologies are only a tool - and they take second place to sound literacy and communication practice. She is also passionate about supporting students who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to communicate and has extensive practical experience in implementing AAC, both electronic and non-electronic.
Claire Della Torre
Claire Della Torre is a speech pathologist with 20-plus years' experience working within the AAC sector. She has a passion for supporting people with Complex Communication Needs (CCN) to find the best combination of AAC strategies that suit their unique needs and preferences. She currently works as a Clinical Team Lead and Assistive Technology Consultant with Zyteq.
Ellen Winchester
Ellen Winchester is a speech pathologist who has passionately worked in the disability sector since 2009, with a focus on evidence and family centred practice. Ellen has a keen interest in projects and innovation, spending much of her career developing new ways to support teachers to integrate AAC into the curriculum across the whole day. Ellen is driven to support better long term outcomes for people who use AAC through developing better frameworks for practice in AAC and training speech pathologists. When she is not at work, she is usually chasing after her two energetic little girls, walking her dogs at the beach, or playing netball.
Jade Bilusich
Jade Bilusich is the Assistive Technology Consultant for Link Assistive in South Australia and is part of the Training and Development team. Jade is an Occupational Therapist with over 17 years experience working in inpatient and community settings with adults and children with physical and neurodevelopmental disabilities. Jade has extensive experience developing and presenting training to other therapists, educators, caregivers and organisations around assistive technology, access and positioning, sensory processing and motor skill development.
Presenter Disclosure
Jane is the owner of Jane Farrall Consulting and receives a salary for her consulting work and for her online and face-to-face courses in literacy and AAC. Jane does not have a financial relationship with any AAC or assistive technology developers. Non-financial: Jane developed the Writing with All Tools Continuum and has made this freely available from her website www.comprehensiveliteracy.com. She receives no financial gain from the sale of the continuum. She also shares other resources and ideas through that website and has a blog at www.janefarrall.com. Jane is a member of the 2025 AGOSCI Conference Committee and is a member of AGOSCI.
Claire is a speech pathologist, assistive technology consultant and clinical team lead with Zyteq Pty Ltd, a supplier of Assistive Technology products. Within this role she receives a salary for her consulting work and for presenting Talking Mats and other AAC-related courses.
Ellen is a speech pathologist and employed at Liberator, a supplier of Assistive Technology products. Within this role she receives a salary for her consulting work and for presenting training.
Jade is employed at Link Assistive, supplier of assistive technologies. She is employed on salary and receives no financial gain from the sales of products.
AGOSCI disclosure
AGOSCI is grateful to Jane, Zyteq, Liberator and Link Assistive for presenting this webinar to the AGOSCI community.
AGOSCI is an independent body and does not endorse individual products or brands.
AGOSCI acknowledges the presence and contributions of all suppliers and resources available in the Australian AAC marketplace.
Registration and cancellation policy
Updated February 2025
Registration is only confirmed upon full payment of fee. Please note total ticket price will include an additional $0.69 + 0.7% per transaction service fee. To access the discounted rate for members you must be logged into your AGOSCI member account prior to registration.
-
100% refund minus the service fee ($0.69 + 0.7% per transaction) until 60 days before event
-
50% refund minus the service fee ($0.69 + 0.7% per transaction) between 8-59 days before event
-
No refunds within 0-7 days before event start date
Applications for registrations are subject to final approval by AGOSCI to ensure fair and equal access to events across organisations. Waitlist registrations will be taken upon all positions being filled. Please contact education@agosci.org.au to be added to the waitlist.
Craving Inclusion: Listening to the impact of Dysphagia on QOL, Participation and Inclusion. This a recording of a webinar recorded live in February 2025. ...