Speech and Language Therapist /Positive Disrupter/ Disability Advocate/ Autistic /Limb Difference/ Passionate about Accessibility and AAC /Talks about Ableism
North East, England
Joined March 2023
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Shocked I won the Chairman’s Award at our #NHSStaffAwards. The chairman’s speech about me to the whole room was beautiful #Thankful #KeepAdvocating #Ableism - #SmashIt #BeTheChange #Neuroinclusive #DisabilityInclusion #MySLTDay #DisabilityAdvocate #AAC #HumanRights #CallToAction
The Chair’s Award goes to… Mary Lavender.
Mary isn’t afraid to talk about disability to bring about real change. She aims to break down barriers and allow disabled people to thrive and works tirelessly to close the disability gap.
#CNTWstars
Last few hours. Applications close midnight tonight. Scholarship places (in-person or virtual) to #ATIA conference in America. If you are interested in #DisabilityInclusion & learning about #AssistiveTechnology then apply. #AAC #ATech #Accessibility bit.ly/ATscholar25
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If you want to meet & hear from amazing people in the field of #AssistiveTechnology and/or #AAC…apply for this scholarship (applications close 23rd July midnight) to attend @ATIAorg conference in America. Nearly all expenses paid. #DisabilityInclusion @BATAOnline @BritATScholar
We're supporting the AT Scholar program! A scholarship for UK-based #AT professionals creating opportunities to share best practice & experience on an international level including #ATIA2025 in Orlando where the world's #ATcommunity connects! Learn more: bit.ly/ATscholar25
ALT A picture of Mary Lavender, she had blonde hair and is wearing pink top. She has an upper limb difference. She is smiling while holding up a bag that says ATIA "empowering a world without barriers for people with disabilities." There is a round logo in the upper lefthand side of the image that say AT Scholar.
You have until tomorrow night 23rd July midnight to apply. Apply or make your contacts know about this fantastic opportunity. #AAC #AssistiveTechnology #DisabilityInclusion #SmashAbleism #DontGatekeep #ATScholar @BATAOnline @AceCentre @BritATScholar @ATIAorg
🚨 UK Assistive Tech pros, your chance to shine is here! The AT Scholar program's extended deadline is fast approaching - only a few days left until July 23rd, 2024! ⏳bit.ly/ATscholar25
#AT #AssistiveTech #AAC #Augcomm #ATScholar #ATIA2025 @ATIAorg @britatscholar @AceCentre
ALT Last Call for AT Scholars!
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Please repost, spread the word about amazing scholarship opportunity. Applications close on 23rd July. #AAC & #AssistiveTechnology can really help #disabled people thrive. It’s a must not a nice to have. Let’s not #gatekeep or see it as a last resort. #Communication #HumanRights
We're supporting the AT Scholar program! A scholarship for UK-based #AT professionals creating opportunities to share best practice & experience on an international level including #ATIA2025 in Orlando where the world's #ATcommunity connects! Learn more: bit.ly/ATscholar25
ALT A picture of Mary Lavender, she had blonde hair and is wearing pink top. She has an upper limb difference. She is smiling while holding up a bag that says ATIA "empowering a world without barriers for people with disabilities." There is a round logo in the upper lefthand side of the image that say AT Scholar.
#AssistiveTechnology scholarship to attend #ATIA conference in America. Applications now open, closes 5th July. I was awarded the scholarship last year, an incredible opportunity. Please Repost. Apply. #AAC #DisabilityAdvocate #MySLTday acecentre.org.uk/at-scholar @BritATScholar
Thanks @AceCentre. It was an honour to be keynote speaker.
Let’s get those sledgehammers out & smash down the many barriers #disabled people face daily.
Let’s not gate-keep. #PresumeCompetence esp for non-speaking & minimal speaking individuals. Let’s #Advocate #MySLTday
Thank you to everyone who came to #CommunicationWorks North 2024, it was incredible to see so many teachers, therapists and others getting involved!
Special thanks to @newbridgegroup for having us and to @mazlavender for her inspirational keynote!
See you in 2025!
#CW2024
Mary Lavender retweeted
Enjoyed spending the day at Communication Works North. Great to hear from @mazlavender first thing this morning.
I enjoyed the presentation on accessibility in the workplace and finding out about some new switchy tech. So many ideas to try...
Mary Lavender retweeted
@mazlavender thank you for an inspiring key note speech to start the morning of #CW2024 reminding us to be passionate advocates and disrupters- cause a ripple to break down barriers. Sorry not sorry to speak up to do more to help every person to thrive. #PMLD #AAC #AT
Mary Lavender retweeted
It appears that British schools are spending a lot of time controlling exactly which black shoes teenagers are allowed to wear, and their parents are frustrated about it. This is effectively control of their parents, since they are buying the shoes and many are told at short notice that the shoes they have bought are not acceptable.
I've now been sent several school shoe policies with multiple pictures of slightly different black shoes, some of which are acceptable and some of which are not. Parents tell me that they are threatened with isolation or the child being sent home if their shoes are wrong.
Can anyone explain to me how this helps children learn and how it supports struggling families to get their children into school?
Mary Lavender retweeted
Seriously concerned by this advert. 'Stages & sequence of interests"? What rubbish! Then a promise to help others 'reduce' them. I can detect behaviorism hiding in plain sight. I wonder what 'robust evidence' is quoted 🤔. This looks like a webinar to avoid!
Join us on 2 July at 9am UK for ‘#Autism; The origins of the special interest & misuse of the interest’ with Prof. Tony Attwood. bit.ly/49dWCZ8
Learn strategies to make constructive use of the interest or to reduce the dominance of special interests in daily life.
“Well barriers are there to be broken. So let’s get the sledge hammers out” words of Kev Scollay (Exec sponsor for our disabled staff network) in our chat about the amount of barriers disabled people face in the workplace. #SmashAbleism #DisabilityAdvocate #StaffNetworks @CNTWNHS
The barriers are vast - attitudes, communication, policies, social, access, physical etc. Get your hammers out. Break down the #barriers! #Ableism #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #DisabilityDivide #discrimination
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Grateful to chat to @MartinLittler in person last night, about @ATIAorg conference I attended in America through @BritATScholar scheme. Martin has done so much for the scholarship & in field of #AssistiveTechnology An honour to chat to him. #ATscholars will happen again next year
ALT 2 people standing next to each other looking at camera & smiling. Martin is wearing a suit, tie & waistcoat, he has a beard and glasses. He has a drink in his hand. Mary has blonde hair, & wearing a flowery dress & handbag over her shoulder. She has an upper limb difference. In the background are various pictures in an art gallery.
Today @Claire_SLT & I were recorded (audio) for a short animation video which will be for Speech Therapists #SLTs about disability. We had the topic of #ableism to write about. A crucial line in our recording for us all to remember, especially those of us in health care: