Which topic?

Dr Darryl Sellwood offers a range of customisable workshops and seminars for universities and other training providers. The workshops listed below can be adapted to meet the needs of your organisation. Dr Sellwood is also available as a keynote speaker at your next conference. He has presented conference keynotes nationally and internationally.

For information about Dr Sellwood's availability and session pricing, please enquire by email to workshops@darrylsellwood.com.

1. Introduction to AAC and communicating with people who have communication and speech difficulties

This interactive workshop aims to introduce people to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and some strategies for communicing with people who have complex communication needs (CCN). It is designed for who anyone who plans to work with people who have communication and speech difficulties, particularly those with CCN. Versions of this workshop have been used with Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology students and professional Counsellors.

Prior to the online session, participants are asked to view a 40-minute video introducing them to the basics of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Topics include types of communication, the concept of participation, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF),  the Communication Bill of Rights, and Dr Sellwood's lived and professional experiences as an AAC user.

The 90-minute workshop sessions provide students an opportunity to respond to the video via questions and a discussion, provide the participants key tips for communication with someone who has a communication disability and encourage them to take part in an exercise allowing them to practice these skills.

The workshop format can be face to face or via videoconference. Because the workshop is interactive, if the videoconference option is chosen, each participant needs to have access to a computer with a camera and microphone (or a headset).

The maximum number of participants in a session is 24.

2. Getting past "Let's Just Be Good Friends": Exploring the romantic and sexual relationships of people with CCN in developing

This session begins with a presention of the main findings of Dr Sellwood's PhD research which explored the lived experiences of people with complex communication needs in developing romantic and sexual relationships. Dr Sellwood then leads a discussion that explores the themes of the research with the workshop participants. This can take the form of a series of guided questions to be discussed in small groups.

This is designed for people with disabilities, university students, academics and disability-related practictioners.

The workshop format can be face to face or via videoconference. The session takes three hours.

The maximum number of participants in a session is 80. However, smaller groups allow for richer conversation.

3. Methods and methodology for research among people with CCN

This session begins with a presention on Dr Sellwood's PhD research which explored the lived experiences of people with complex communication needs in developing romantic and sexual relationships, with a focus on the methods and methodological issues raised. Dr Sellwood then leads a discussion that explores these methodological issues with the workshop participants. This can take the form of a series of guided questions to be discussed in small groups.

This is designed for post-graduate university students, academics and disability-related researchers.

The workshop format can be face to face or via videoconference. The session takes two to three hours.

The maximum number of participants in a session is 80. However, smaller groups allow for richer conversation.

4.  A brief history of disability

This session aims to provide participants with an introduction to the history of disability in Western culture and the development of the Disability Rights Movement. This workshop introduces participants to actvitists including Ed Roberts and Judy Heumann and theorists such as Professor Michael Oliver and Sir Thomas William Shakespeare. Dr Sellwood then leads a discussion with the workshop participants. This can take the form of a series of guided questions to be discussed in small groups.

It is designed for anyone who plans to work with people with disabilities or just wants to gain an understand of disabilitiy and culture.

The workshop format can be face to face or via videoconference. The session takes ninety minutes.

The maximum number of participants in a session is 80. However, smaller groups allow for richer conversation.