This Speech Pathology Week, we’re celebrating something extraordinary: the profound impact that speech pathologists have on our communities.
This year’s Speech Pathology Week theme is “Impact through communication.” We believe this theme truly captures what we witness every day in our work at Liberator Australia: how skilled professionals can help transform lives through the power of communication.
When people think about speech pathology, they often picture someone helping with pronunciation or initial sounds. While these are important aspects of the profession, the reality is so much richer!
Speech pathologists are architects of connection, builders of confidence, and champions of inclusion.
Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside thousands of speech pathologists across Australia. In every interaction, we see professionals who understand that communication isn’t just about getting words out – it’s about helping people live fuller, more connected lives.
This year’s Speech Pathology Week themes beautifully illustrate the breadth of this impact:
At Liberator, we’re honoured to partner with speech pathologists as they work to support our AAC community.
Whether it’s providing reliable AAC devices, offering training that builds confidence, or ensuring ongoing support when challenges arise, we’re honoured to take part in this important work.
We’ve learned that the best outcomes happen when we work collaboratively – combining the clinical expertise of speech pathologists with our technical knowledge and the lived experiences of the people we work with. It’s this partnership approach that makes real change possible.
As we celebrate Speech Pathology Week 2025, we’re not just recognising past achievements – we’re looking toward a future where everyone has access to the communication tools and support they need to thrive.
To the speech pathologists reading this: thank you for your dedication, your expertise, and your unwavering belief in every person’s right to be heard and understood. Your work creates waves of positive change that reach far beyond what you might see in a single session or assessment.
We’re proud to be part of this community and excited to continue supporting the incredible impact you create through communication, every single day.
Want to join our digital community? Sign up to our mailing list!
Your AAC device is an important part of everyday life, supporting conversations, learning, and connection with others. And, just like any piece of technology you rely on, it performs best when it’s well looked after! In this blog, we’ll share our top AAC device maintenance tips – including practical care, maintenance, and tech advice to help ensure your device stays reliable, responsive, and ready when you need it!
Let’s face it – devices get dirty. Whether you’re at school, work, or just having dinner, your device comes along for the ride. Give it some cleaning attention regularly to keep it working well.
For light cleaning, use a soft, lint-free cloth on the touchscreen. For deeper cleaning, use a slightly damp, lint-free cloth, then dry the screen with another soft cloth. You can find more detailed cleaning tips in your device manual.
Good to know: Keyguards can go in the dishwasher!
Your device comes with a specific charger – always use that one. Try to charge your battery before it drops to 0%. Charging when your battery is above 10% can extend its life significantly. For best results, charge your device upright at room temperature on a hard surface.
Tip: Turn off your device for faster charging.
We encourage keeping your device with you and ready to use for conversations throughout the day. However, there are smart times to use sleep mode or shut down completely.
Set your auto-sleep to five minutes or less. Use sleep mode when you won’t be using your device for short periods, like during swimming.
Remember that sleep mode uses about 2% of battery per hour. Consider turning off your device completely during longer breaks, like overnight.
Like most technology, your device works best when it’s not too hot. Take breaks from heat and avoid charging if your device feels warm. Move to shade or air conditioning rather than trying to cool it with water.
Tip: Keep a low-tech communication board handy for water activities.
Software updates bring new features and vocabulary to improve your communication experience. Connect to WiFi and follow the prompts in your settings menu to get these improvements. Updates also help your device run more smoothly overall.
Tip: Plug in your device during updates to protect your battery.
Your screen is essential for accessing all your communication options. Protect it from scratches, moisture, and spills with a screen protector. This also reduces glare and reflections, making it easier to see your buttons.
Visit our online store to see screen protector options for your device.
Your device is built to be durable and handle daily life. (If you haven’t already), you might try an extra protective case designed specifically for your device model. These cases provide additional security for active use at home and out in the community.
People change, and your needs change too. It might be time to check that you’re still accessing your device in the most comfortable and efficient way possible.
Connect with your support team (or ours!) to consider adjustments like:
Our local consultants are happy to discuss access questions to help you communicate at your best.
If you’re experiencing glitches, try restarting your device first – this solves most technical problems.
If you’re still having trouble after a restart, our support team is here to help. Contact us by phone, email, or through our website, and we’ll work together to get your AAC device maintenance issue resolved – and your device running smoothly again.
Need a little support with your AAC device maintenance?
Our team is here to help you make the most of your communication device. Whether you need help with AAC device maintenance or want to explore new ways to optimise your AAC setup, we’re just a call or click away.
Contact us:
