When Danielle Chapman arrived at Rangeville State School (RSS) in 2021, she had very little experience supporting students with complex speech, language and communication impairments.

It all began with one student, and in just 18 months, she has exhibited her innovative advocacy for school-wide access and inclusion.

Ms Chapman sought out numerous professional development opportunities to grow her knowledge of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) – devices, systems, strategies and tools that can replace or support natural speech.

Examples include gestures, eye gaze, vocalisations, sign language and facial expressions as well as assistive technologies such as communication books and speech generating devices.

In the classroom, she used this to support a student who wears a Pragmatically Organised Dynamic Display (PODD) - an aid for people who use non-verbal or limited verbal communication.

A short time later, she realised that communicating with one student was just the beginning.

To enable this student to experience the classroom on the same basis as their peers, she wanted all the students to learn how to use AAC. In addition, she wore a PODD, augmented her language, and implemented a Highly Individualised Curriculum (HIC) to ensure that the student had access to the same content as their peers.

As 'communication partners', all students and teacher aides now receive frequent training on multi-modal communication.

Inclusion is at the heart of Ms Chapman’s innovative support for her students.

“When you walk into my classroom, you’re greeted by a poster that states ‘all communication is welcome here’,” she said.

“My students are proud of their skills and take delight in being the role of communication partner,” she explained, reflecting on how students set frequent goals to improve.

Along with two colleagues from her school, she has been profiled by the Department of Education in an EDTV episode about providing a Highly Individualised Curriculum.

In addition, she was invited as a member of the school's inclusion team to present at a national specialist conference, the AGOSCI conference in Hobart.

Having overseen the upskilling of staff in AAC and HIC to change the culture and perceptions of an inclusive school community, Ms Chapman has received recognition throughout the region.

She attributes her success to finding and working with motivated and innovative people who share her vision. And the classroom was a great place to start.

“Involving the students on this journey enables them to become citizens who celebrate and respond creatively and naturally to difference or disability, and to advocate for inclusion and accessibility,” she said.

Ms Chapman is a finalist at the Queensland College of Teachers TEACHX Awards, in the Innovation in Teaching category.

Winners will be announced October 27th, on the eve of World Teachers' Day in Queensland.