MSWA Client and Community Forum 2025
The MSWA Client and Community Forum held at Telethon Speech & Hearing provided a valuable opportunity to connect, gather feedback and share insights relevant to our Clients and neuro community. We had a diverse lineup of speakers covering a range of topics, including the latest developments in the disability sector, advances in clinical practice and important new initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for our Clients.
Building on the positive feedback from last year, the forum was once again livestreamed to ensure those unable to attend in person could participate. This format also allowed online viewers to submit questions directly to our speakers. Watch the livestream below.
Some highlights from the forum includes:
State of the sector
The forum started with the current state of the disability sector, particularly the financial viability of many NDIS providers with concerns that this will cause widespread disruption to services for people with a disability. In the 2023-24 financial year, almost three quarters of NDIS service providers reported they made a loss or, at best, broke even. This means that support for people with the most complex needs are at greatest risk.
In response, MSWA will need to change how some of our services are delivered, with a push for Clients to attend appointments from our Services Centres
AI voice generation
Through AI technology, our Speech Pathology team can now create a personalised voice bank from just a short recording of a Client’s voice. Traditionally, voice-generation software relied on generic, robotic voices, which could feel impersonal and disconnected to users. With this new technology, Clients can communicate using their own voice, making interactions more personal and authentic.
Clinical collaboration in action – case study
MSWA Client, Chris Morgan was determined to remain mobile and independent following his MS diagnosis. Through the coordinated care provided by the MSWA Employment Support Services and Exercise Physiology team, he has achieved significant improvements in his mobility and quality of life. In Chris’ case, he was able to access support that allowed him to continue working and pursue his drag racing hobby.
Through the joint efforts of our teams and in collaboration with Modern Orthotic Designs, he was also able to trial a cutting-edge technology, the Exopulse Mollii Suit which helped reduced his pain levels and increased his mobility.
When I got back home after wearing the suit for one hour I walked from my car to my apartment without my walking aid – I was so happy," Chris shared.
Research panel Q&A
Questions were opened to the floor for our engaging panel, which included MSWA Chief Experience Officer Tony Millar, MSWA Research Coordinator Julia Tran, Client Committee member Ellen-May Eaton and Associate Professor Yvonne Learmonth. A key takeaway from the discussion was the importance of translating research into tangible outcomes
and ensuring that research is co-designed with and actively involves, the neuro community it aims to benefit.
Thank you everyone for attending the Client and Community Forum, we hope you can join us for our next one!
