In this three-part series within ‘What’s got us talking…’, researcher and person with swallowing disability Fiona Given helps us to understand the many factors affecting a person with difficulty swallowing. Across the three episodes, Fiona brings together the perspectives of people with lived experience of swallowing difficulty, their supporters, and health professionals.

In this episode, Fiona and her guests talk about supporting safe and enjoyable meals. What can make them risky? What can improve safety? And how can teams, families, workers make good mealtime decisions for and with the people they support, that also prevent choking on food. Discover the considerations that can transform co‑designed meals into safe and enjoyable experiences for people with swallowing disability.

Thanks to the University of Technology Sydney Disability Access and Inclusion Fund for supporting co-production of this series.

Resources:

International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative https://www.iddsi.org/home

Melba Support Services (Dr Anneke Jurgens) https://www.melbasupport.com.au/

National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality & Safeguards Commission (2020) Practice Alert Dysphagia, safe swallowing, and mealtime management - https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-05/practice-alert-dysphagia-safe-swallowing-and-mealtime-management.pdf

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Worker training modules (go to ‘Supporting Safe and Enjoyable Meals’ module) - https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/workforce/online-training-modules

Safer Care Victoria (2026) GUIDANCE - Communicating Safe Eating and Drinking (Victoria State Government, Australia) - https://www.safercare.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-06/GUIDANCE%20-%20Communicating%20safe%20eating%20and%20drinking%20-%20Accessible.docx

Host: Fiona Given

Guests: Stacey Baldac (Speech Pathology Australia), Dr Anneke Jurgens (Melba Support Services), Associate Professor Deborah Debono (The University of Technology Sydney), and David Unwin (a person with lived experience of dysphagia)

Producer: Ali Aitken

Assistant Producer: Bronwyn Hemsley

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