We all need to communicate and connect with each other – not just in one way, but in as many ways as possible (Williams, 2000). Social media are the cornerstones of modern communication and it is essential that people with disabilities, who can become socially isolated, are able to use these tools and stay connected with the world (Varley, 2008). Popular social networking sites including Facebook and Twitter are examples of social media most commonly used for socialisation and connecting with friends, relatives and employees. People with Complex Communication Needs (CCN) are now able to access many social networking sites and participate in internet messaging (IM) as a means to meet and keep in touch with friends and share information.

Barbara Landsberg is an Occupational Therapist who joined the Spectronics team 12 years ago. Prior to that time, she spent 17 years in occupational therapy positions working with adults and children with a variety of physical disabilities and learning difficulties. She also held the position of Coordinator of the assistive technology service of the Independent Living Centre of Queensland for three years before moving to Spectronics. On completion of her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in 2010, she assumed the role of Sales and Marketing Director at the company and, among other roles, oversees running of the exciting and innovative Inclusive Learning Technologies Conference hosted every two years by Spectronics. Barbara has a strong interest in the opportunities for students with disabilities or learning difficulties made possible through technology. She is also a passionate advocate of the use of social media tools to promote the power of inclusive learning technologies to enable independent achievement for all – whatever form that achievement might take.

Jane Farrall has been working in the disability and assistive technology field for 20 years. She has extensive practical experience in both Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and in teaching children and adults with disabilities to acquire literacy. Jane has worked for Yooralla Society of Victoria School and Adult services as both therapist and literacy teacher. She has also worked at the Microcomputer Applications Centre (now called ComTEC) in Victoria, Australia, as an assistive technology professional. She has completed a Masters in Special Education focusing on literacy acquisition in children and adults without speech. Jane is a former Chairperson of AGOSCI and is the founder and organiser of the Big Mouth Camp, a camp for school aged students using speech generating devices and their families.