Andy Smidt

Andy Smidt is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Health at Southern Cross University and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Sydney, specializing in lifelong disability support through augmentative communication and universal design for learning.

Education

• Bachelor of Science (Honours), University of Sydney
• PhD, University of Sydney

Research Interests

• Lifelong Disability
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication
• Qualitative Research
• Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education
• Intellectual Disability
• Speech-Language Pathology

Her work focuses on training staff for severe intellectual disability/challenging behavior, promoting AAC and Key Word Sign adoption, functional assessment methodologies, and embedding UDL frameworks to ensure equitable access in higher education.

Scientific Awards

• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2022)

Professional Leadership

• Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Clinical Practice for Speech-Language Pathology
• Research Consultant, Key Word Sign Australia
• SAGE Self Assessment Team Member, University of Sydney
• Chair, UDLHE Digicon
• Leadership Group Member, UDLHE Network