Auckland Regional Manager
I have had a long standing interest in the area of technology and disability sector. Coming to work at TalkLink has really been the perfect fit in bringing these areas and related skills together.
I have previously worked as an Occupational Therapist in both acute and community based health settings since 1998. Exposure to multiple workplace and multidisciplinary team environments has provided valuable experience across a range practice areas including, wheelchairs and seating, hand therapy, worksite ergonomics, and adaptive building design. I have assisted with individual, family and community based projects, and also provided training packages to support workers and other education facilities. Joining TalkLink in 2006 provided the opportunity to combine the various compatible skills and familiarity with funding processes to explore assistive technology options for people with disabilities.
I was appointed as Manager at TalkLink’s Auckland office in September 2007. This role has two components. The first of which remains client focused with assessment, application and training of communication and assistive technology. The second part of this role is with managing Talklink’s Auckland based service. Primary responsibilities involve developing and supporting staff to meet and excel with service standards in the area of communication assistive technology. I manage incoming referrals and allocation, manage budget allocations, and help develop service initiatives with projects and general processes in general day to day operations. Regular contact with the TalkLink General Manager provides continued support and alignment with the vision set by the Talklink Trust Board.
Technology will always continue to change and develop, making both old and new ideas to become reality. This will continue to broaden the access and freedom for those with disabilities; making it a continually rewarding area to be involved in.
Occupational Therapist
I have been a member of the TalkLink team since 2001. I am involved in the assessment of clients with both spoken and written communication needs, who also have fine motor or accessing difficulties. Client independence in communication is my focus.
I have worked in a wide range of fields including psychiatry, geriatrics and paediatrics. While at Carlson School for Cerebral Palsy, I developed an interest in assistive technology, which at that time was developing rapidly with new computer access and voice output device innovations. I saw first-hand the difference having access to assistive technology made to my client’s quality of life. The ability to express themselves and the independence resulting from this encouraged me to continue in this field. Moving to TalkLink was a natural progression for a therapist with a passion for low and high technology that empowers the user. I hold a Diploma of Occupational Therapy from C.I.T in Petone and a post graduate Certificate in Neurodevelopmental Therapy (Bobath).
Occupational Therapist
As an occupational therapist within the team, I am involved in the assessment of functional abilities of clients in regard to their independent physical access to both written and spoken communication technology. Some of my main activities are advising on the positioning of the person, placement and mounting of assistive technology onto wheelchairs and other locations. I also advise in the area of alternative computer access software and hardware. This includes rate enhancement software and voice recognition software, telephone access, switch access for communication devices and computers, wheelchair tray design for integrated switch and/or communication incorporation, and alternative call bell alarms.
I have specialised in this area within TalkLink since graduating from Auckland University of Technology with a BSc in Occupational Therapy in 2000. I have attended and presented at Assistive Technology forums both in New Zealand and Australia. I bring to the position a strong background in practical problem solving, construction and design.
Occupational Therapist
Kathy
Occupational Therapist
I am a NZ trained occupational therapist, and graduated from AUT in 1996. Most of my work has been with paediatric services in both Ministry of Health and Education settings, so I have a good understanding of children’s home and school based needs. From that paediatric experience, I am a strong proponent of early intervention, so that people can be set up to become as able and independent as possible. I have done a number of Post Graduate studies in areas including upskilling support staff, outcome measures for treatments, and research methods, and am currently considering topics for a Masters thesis.
I joined TalkLink in May, 2013, but have worked with staff here since 2007 to provide input for children in home and school settings, so have seen many great benefits for people when they have good communication systems.
Originally from Scotland, I have lived in NZ since I was 14-years-old. But coming I still have a strong Scottish accent and sometimes people can have difficulty understanding me.
Speech-Language Therapist
I joined the TalkLink team in 2003 and as a speech-language therapist my role is assessment and development of clients’ communication skills. As part of the TalkLink process I make recommendations regarding communication devices and strategies, arrange equipment trials and provide ongoing assistance and training for clients and carers. In addition to this I’m also involved running additional training courses and in organising our “Communicators Days”, which provide opportunity for children from all over the Auckland area to join together and have fun using their communication equipment and strategies.
I am Swedish by origin but trained at University College London and worked in the UK prior to coming to New Zealand in 2000. I have worked privately as well as in public healthcare and school environments. I have experience of working in paediatrics with children with speech and language delay and communication disorders including autism and have also worked with adult clients, primarily in rehabilitation of neurological conditions and traumatic brain injury.
Speech-Language Therapist
I joined TalkLink in February 2010 and have always had a keen interest in working with low and high tech, AAC. Technology has the ability to dramatically change, and positively impact, the way in which people communicate their thoughts, feelings and needs. It also gives people opportunities to participate more independently with others and in their environments.
I trained as a Speech and Language Therapist at Strathclyde University in Glasgow and my first job was in the north east of Scotland, working with mainstream children and adults with learning disabilities. I then moved to New Zealand and worked for Special Education Gisborne with the 0-21 Team. I’m looking forward to being involved in a specialist area that is exciting and constantly evolving.
Speech-Language Therapist
Nicky is currently on parental leave
I joined the Talklink team in November 2010 having worked as a Speech and Language Therapist since 2003. I trained at Reading University in the UK and worked in both Acute and Community Hospitals providing assessment and treatment to adults with acquired communication and swallowing difficulties. In early 2007 I moved out to Auckland where I have enjoyed working with people from different cultures, predominantly working with older adults in their own homes.
I am very focussed on providing the right solutions to people’s communication needs, be that giving advice on strategies or recommending low or high tech devices. Communication is a fundamental human right and my aim is to provide clients with a specialist service so that they have both the support and the means to express themselves.
Speech-Language Therapist
I am a Speech and Language Therapist who joined the Talklink Auckland team in November 2011 after working with the Wellington team since February 2010.
I completed my studies at Massey University in Auckland in 2009. I have had experience working both with Paediatric and Adult clients in the education and health settings throughout my clinical placements.
I have an interest in the area of Assistive Technology and enabling and empowering individuals to communicate using various means.
I am originally from Auckland, and have an interest in sports and travel.
Speech-Language Therapist
I joined TalkLink in November 2011. I have worked as a Speech and Language Therapist since 2008 working mostly with the school aged population. I studied at City University London and my first job was working with mainstream school children in North London. I moved to Auckland in February 2011 and spent my first 8 months working as a contractor for GSE Auckland City. In all my roles I have worked with AAC (low and high tech) and also provided training to internal and external groups.
My passion is working with profound and multiple learning disabilities and providing communication solutions for clients and their families. I am also passionate about raising awareness of speech, language and communication needs across both the child and adult populations. I am looking forward to facing new challenges and working in an area that is constantly changing.
Speech-Language Therapist
I graduated from the Manchester Metropolitan University in 2003 with a Bsc (hons) in Speech Pathology and Therapy. After a year travelling through and volunteering in a children’s charity in Africa, I began my speech therapy career in 2004 and worked with children and young adults with complex needs in a special school in West London. In 2008, I took a post in the health service again in West London and worked across a number of paediatric services developing specialities in working with complex speech and language difficulties and supporting children with learning difficulties and Autism in educational settings.
I joined Talklink trust in November 2012 after moving over to Auckland from the UK. I have always had a keen interest in working with complex needs and I enjoy problem solving with my clients, their families and their care or education staff to find the right communication support to meet their individual needs. I am excited about joining a highly specialist service in an area of communication support which is constantly evolving.
Speech-Language Therapist
I joined TalkLink in January 2013. Prior to this I worked as an SLT in a private practice, specialising in the assessment and treatment of children’s speech and language disorders. I have also gained experience working with adults who have complex communication needs through hospital and community placements. Before obtaining my Master of Speech Language Therapy Practice from the University of Auckland, I studied French and Linguistics, and taught English as a Second Language to children and adults. I have always held a strong passion for communication and language, so I feel very at home at TalkLink.
I am very happy to be a part of the TalkLink team as I have a strong interest in augmentative and alternative communication. I believe strongly in the empowering force of AAC. Through my job at Talklink, I feel very privileged to be able to work alongside clients, their families, and their support teams to help promote communicative competency where its potential might otherwise be overlooked.
Assistive Technology Training and Support
I have been with TalkLink since mid 2008 and what an exciting move it has been. Having been associated with TalkLink for over 7 years through my daughter who uses an AAC device I have always been passionate about encouraging and supporting other people to use their devices to their maximum potential. I am lucky that in my previous life as a Training Manager with a strong training and applications background I can achieve this. This knowledge is going to put to good use in establishing, supporting and training clients, parents, support staff on how to use all the great features on their devices. I look forward to meeting you one day.
Technical Support
I’ve always had a great passion for computers. From an early age I learnt to program, repair and modify computers for both entertainment and work related tasks. In fact, I can often still be found tinkering around with old classic arcade machines. With such interests, I went on to formalise and enhance my skills and completed a diploma in systems technology.
Despite these avid interests in all things computer related and techy, my working life for the last 10 years has also centred around the health sector and community; from care giving, mental health support roles and even art therapy. Work tasks have always revolved around communication in some form or another, so coming to work at TalkLink was a great way to combine my skills and interest areas.
My primary role at TalkLink is to support staff and clients on anything with computer hardware or software; from computer repairs and diagnostics to dedicated communication devices and training of specialised software. I am also the administrator for all backend TalkLink servers. Keeping everything running smoothly is no small task as technology changes and improves and TalkLink continues to grow.
Technical Support
Clinical Assistant.
I have been a user of Assistive Technology for a number of years. Since graduating from Mt Roskill Grammar in 2002, I have been working at TalkLink in a clinical assistant role to support staff. I am responsibility for developing communication resources including creating symbol resources on BoardMaker, and programming communication devices.