Microboards Australia

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬

Microboards Australia is proud to be part of a collaborative project focused on 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 for the facilitation of Circles of Support and Microboards. This initiative is being led by 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞, 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬. Together, these organisations form the COSAM Community of Practice (CoP), established by Inclusion Melbourne to promote shared learning, consistency, and best practice.

Circles of Support and Microboards are increasingly recognised as effective approaches for enhancing quality of life, social connection, independence, and choice and control for people with disability. While interest in these models continues to grow, there is currently no unified evidence-based framework to guide implementation or ensure quality outcomes.

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐢𝐦
This project seeks to consolidate and map both the theory and practical work required to successfully and sustainably establish Circles of Support and Microboards. It also will design a functional benchmarking rubric that clearly outlines indicators of best practice and success. This resource is intended to be accessible and useful to the NDIS, service providers, carers, and supporters.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:
• Reviewing existing knowledge and materials
• Consulting with people with cognitive disability and COSAM partners
• Developing an evidence-based benchmarking guide with accessible tools, resources, and easy to read content

We are currently in the phase of developing the project content bank. This involves carefully organising and defining key concepts, principles, and terminology to ensure clarity and consistency. Our working group, which includes people with lived experience and other stakeholders, plays an essential role in refining definitions, sharing insights, and grounding the project in real-world experiences.

We look forward to providing further updates as the project progresses.

Every parent and carer knows that stress and concern that you just can't shake when your child is unwell. We want to help prevent this where we can.

It’s important every child in Western Australia has access to safe and effective protection against influenza.

That’s why the Cook Labor Government is introducing a free needle-free influenza vaccine for children aged two to under 12 from 2026.

This gentle nasal spray is quick, safe, and painless - giving parents peace of mind and kids an easier way to stay protected.

We are thrilled to introduce Harry to our Microboard Australia family.

Harry has recently moved back to Perth after fifteen years studying and working on the east coast overseas. He is a Speech Pathologist with a special interest in AAC (especially high-tech systems) and social communication.

Harry has worked as an ECEI coordinator and worked training teachers and educators to implement AAC across schools and early childhood education settings. He has also run groups for children and young people that target communication through music, art and drama.

Harry believes that social relationships form the foundation of communication and that the best outcomes are achieved when a Speech Pathologist works as part of a team to support relationships with family, friends and community.

If you know of anyone who would value Harry's support please let us know!
Or you can send on our enquiries form https://podio.com/webforms/24467677/2286781