Phase Two: Mentoring in Action

During Phase 2 of the Redefining Mentoring in Unique Communication Scenarios project, more people have become involved, more ideas are emerging and the project continues to evolve.

People with communication disability and AAC users are sharing their experiences, ideas and perspectives, often discovering that they have been mentored or been mentoring others all along.

Partnership Payment Projects

Two Way Street and AGOSCI have been supporting individuals, community groups and small teams to create resources that reflect what mentoring looks like in unique communication scenarios. Partnership payments of up to $3,000 were awarded through an application process.

The goal of the Redefining Mentoring in Unique Communication Scenarios project is to build a co-designed mentoring toolkit that supports inclusive mentoring practices — what we’re calling mentoring 2.0. The partnership payment initiative has been supporting the creation of resources from individuals and groups with lived experience. These resources will form part of the toolkit that we are developing throughout this project.

Our powerful new definition of mentoring

“Mentoring is a flexible and inclusive relationship where both mentor and mentee learn and grow. It can happen in all kinds of ways and both mentor and mentee may not even be aware that it’s happening at times. Communication is adapted to fit the person, not the other way around.”

Your project should bring this definition to life and reflect real-world communication and connection. We are looking for projects that share perspectives or experiences or that build or enhance community within the context of people with communication disability (PWCD). Your project could be a resource or can be developed into a resource, guideline or perspective that will be trialed as part of the mentoring toolkit.

Monthly Mentoring Spotlights

Our monthly mentoring spotlight sessions are mentoring in action: people sharing what they know, learning from each other and creating new opportunities to participate and lead.

We’ve created some easy ways to explore our findings. Take a look at our summary document to discover how phase two has evolved, with people with communication disability at the centre.

Acknowledgment of Terminology

We acknowledge that terms like AAC and PWCD are labels that may or may not be preferred terminology by some people. We respect diversity of opinion and an individual’s right to decide on their own terminology. Currently at Two Way Street, we’ve chosen to use the term “People with Communication Disability” (PWCD). Importantly, this term assumes a model of disability that recognises the dynamic interactions between the individual, their communication partners, the environment, and the topics of conversation, highlighting that meaningful communication is shaped by multiple factors working together. This means that PWCD includes anyone who experiences breakdowns in communication related to their own methods of communication, their communication partners, or barriers created by a less inclusive environment.

Acknowledgment of Cultural Influence

We recognise the cultural biases and influences that shape our perspectives in this project, particularly the predominant Western viewpoints on communication, autonomy, connection, belonging, and opportunity. While we strive to be inclusive of all individuals and communicators, we understand that our own cultural backgrounds, funding, and time capacity may pose limitations. We invite everyone to engage with the information and resources we share through their own cultural lenses, and we welcome feedback and modifications that enhance our collective understanding.

Funding Acknowledgement

This project received funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing