With high rates of swallowing difficulty (dysphagia, swallowing disability) in people with disability it is important that their lived experiences are heard in decisions about mealtimes to improve their safety and wellbeing.

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 introduces the series by discussing dysphagia and its impacts on health and wellbeing, as well as the importance of a proper assessment, mealtime plans, and a collaborative team approach. Fiona and her guests Corinne Cox and Stacey Baldac expand upon issues for everyone to consider in designing safe and enjoyable meals 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:

Dietitians Australia, What are the Australian Dietary Guidelines? https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au/health-advice/what-are-australian-dietary-guidelines

Evolve Nutrition and Health Solutions - https://www.corinnecox.com/

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

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

Speech Pathology Australia, fact sheet, Swallowing difficulty - https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/Public/Public/Comm-swallow/Swallowing.aspx

Host: Fiona Given

Guests: Corinne Cox (Advanced Accredited Dietician, Evolve Nutrition & Health Solutions), Stacey Baldac (Speech Pathology Australia) and Professor Bronwyn Hemsley

Producer: Ali Aitken

Assistant Producer: Bronwyn Hemsley