This event is open to new and returning students at any academic level who need communication support at uni. Here you'll find a safe space to meet other diverse communicators as you. You will learn from staff and students who study how to make academic communication more accessible, how they explore other possibilities to speak, read, write, and think when a "normal" way does not work. This is crucial for academic success. If you are struggling to talk, write or understand in English, welcome! If you are an advocate for inclusive communication environments, welcome! If you want to meet new friends, welcome!

You will enjoy soft music, yummies, games, and a quiet space to get to know your new friend(s)! You can also join online (Zoom) for the talks and Q&A.

If you're new to the Clayton campus, find us in Seminar Room, Level 1, Campus Center, 21 Chancellors Walk (through the west wing corridor leading to Campus Community Division). See the snapshots of the pathway to the venue below.

pathway snapshot 1 — photo showing the way to the venue

pathway snapshot 2 — photo showing the way to the venue

IMPORTANT: All the presentations will be transcribed automatically. If you request Auslan interpreting or other accessibility considerations for this event, please email jing.hu@monash.edu by 14 Feb 2025.

Program:

11:45 - 12:00: talk by Dr. Howie Manns (Arts) - How much can we read in a sign and why?

Howie smiling broadly

Howie is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Arts. He has rich experience in multilingualism and work across linguistic contexts, including a professional background in Persian linguistics (with the US military), and a research background in Indonesian linguistics, sign language linguistics, and English linguistics.

In this small informal talk, Howie is going to share a few examples of visual sign communication across cultures and its potential benefits on visual-spatial and ideographic learners.

12:15 - 12:30: talk by Ms Brooke Tahir (Science) - C-pen, readers, and Moodle for neurodivergent learners

Brooke's — Brooke in graduation gown, smiling

Brooke works as a Learning Designer and Academic in the Faculty of Science. She is a proud GunaiKunai woman from East Gippsland, a mother of two lovely children, and a passionate advocate for disability rights and inclusion across Monash. A neurodivergent learner with POTs heart disease, lung issues, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, and an inoperable brain tumor, she is dedicated to creating a better environment for all students through the push for implementation of the Universal Design for Learning, Cultural competency training, EDI workshops and much more.

In her small talk, she's going to share how she uses Assistive Technology to help her read better and how she is redesigning Moodle to make it more accessible for all students in her faculty.

12:30 - 12:40: talk by Ms Jing Hu (PhD student) - GenAI from a disabled student's perspective: Where's that thin red line?

Jing with dark hair and black-stripped pink shirt

Jing is a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Arts and the HDR Student Representative of Monash Assistive Technology and Society Center. Her research project is AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) and its applications in tertiary contexts. Self-taught all her way from preschool to postgraduate levels with cerebral palsy, she feels very strongly about education justice and accessibility for all learners.

In her talk, she's going to share her own experiences of using Generative AI (GenAI) for studies in a foreign language - while toeing the line.

12:40 - 12:45: Q&A

12:45 -13:15: games and networking