Emma Pannell

Emma grew up down south on a vineyard in Wilyabrup with her three older brothers enjoying the freedom and outdoors. Emma has worked for people with disabilities for the last 30 years in various capacities including: employment, education, recreation, respite and the arts. Emma gained her Certificate 3 in Disabilities in 1995 and her Bachelor in Applied Science Disabilities from Flinders University in 2001. Emma was driven to support people with disabilities and their families to reach their potential in being active participants in their homes, communities, workspaces and friendships.

Emma has two sons, one of whom has a learning disability and otitis media which caused him to be profoundly deaf for periods of time. This inspired Emma to gain her Family Rhyme Time certificate and work mothers in the prison where she facilitated the use of Speech Students into the program. Emma was then motivated, through this connection, to gain her Masters in Speech Pathology and she has been a registered speech pathologist for the last eight years. She has worked with people of various ages and stages in their life. Emma was previously employed at Therapy Focus and the Department of Communities as a speech pathologist and a behaviour clinician.