Wednesday, March 10, 2010
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Staff Profiles

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The CAUS team is dynamic and passionate about people with little or no speech.

Jan Ashford-CEO

Jan Ashford, the Communication Rights Australia CEO, has worked in the disability sector for over 25 years.  Jan has been a strong advocate for the rights of people who experience communication and speech difficulties and has authored many publications in this area.  She has a background is Social Work, Family Counselling and Quality Management.  Over the last 3 years her focus has been on strategic development and national networks.  Jan was awarded an Ethel Temby Scholarship in 2006 which provided Communication Rights Australia with direction in the area of human rights and advocacy.
   

June Dalley– Receptionist

June has been a tireless supporter of the rights of people who have little or no speech and has been working at Communication Rights Australia since 2002. June coordinates the reception area and she is also responsible for the distribution of our Hospital Kit, Newsletter and other resources.  Her commitment to the Kit developed in response to problems experienced in the hospital system by her late husband and other members of Communication Rights Australia.
   


Joanna Janikowski-Office Manager

Joanna has had extensive experience in administration in the area of Legal Aid and came to Communication Rights Australia as the Office Manager in 2007.  She is a very organised person who oversees the financial management of the agency, as well as the Communication Support Worker’s Program and ensures the smooth running of the office.  Joanna works 20 hours per week.
   


Eden Parris - Advocacy & Outreach Coordinator

Eden joined Communication Rights Australia in March 2007 as a part-time Human Rights Advocate.  In 2009, Eden became the Advocacy and Outreach co-ordinator for Communication Rights Australia. He has previous training in law and an interest in human rights. Eden brings several years experience working in the community sector as a support worker and advocate for those affected by homelessness, mental illness and substance abuse.  Eden appreciates the opportunity to learn from the community members and draw upon his experience in service of those with little or no speech.
   
 

 Miranda Gillespie – Newsletter Editor

Miranda has been producing the Communication Rights Australia newsletter since it began in 2000.  She lives and works from her Mornington Peninsula home.  Miranda is training to be a secondary school teacher and has a strong interest in the rights of all people.
   
 

Adele Braun - Human Rights Advocate & Outreach worker

Adele joined the Communication Rights Australia team in November 2008 as a part-time human rights advocate.  In 2009 Adele added to her role and began outreach work in the Eastern and Southern Metrolpolition Regions of Melbourne.  Adele has worked in various settings assisting people with disabilities since 2000.  Adele is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives and working with people rather than “for” them.  Adele has strong beliefs around treating everybody with dignity, respect and equality.  Adele looks forward to being of assistance to the people who access and utilise Communication Rights Australia.

   
 

Hank Wyllie - Telecommunication Researcher

Hank suffered a severe asthma attack in 1983 resulting in acquired brain injury, speech and mobility loss. 

Having always had an interest in technology and computers, and frustrated by his lack of speech, Hank used his knowledge to seek ways to communicate by other means.  As technology became more available, he obtained an electronic communication device.  Hank's first device was a Lightwriter but progressed to the Polyana 4 that he currently uses. 

Hank is a staunch advocate for the right to communication and joined Communication Rights Australia as well as many other advocacy groups to not only improve physical access, but to create an awareness that there were people with little or no speech who wanted to communicate, and could, if given half a chance. 

Hank represents Communication Rights Australia on the Telstra Disability Forum and on a number of other telecommunication forums.  In addition he provides information on new developments and articles of interest within the telecommunication area to the members of Communication Rights Australia.

 

 

 
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