Our How and Why – The Reasons Behind an Online Library

By Tara Rossow | January 4, 2019

Topic:

The reasons behind an online library – Why Look Hear Australia? Today we interview Tara, the founder of LHA, about how and why she started the business with her husband Tim.

Why did you start LHA?

I wanted it to be a long-term resource that I could use for my therapy; to make it easy. There are so many excellent resources to share, I wanted it to be easy to share this information with families and colleagues. I wanted to empower families to do that for themselves and I want these resources to be available for therapists who are often time poor.

How did you decide on a blog/website?

I settled on an online resource so the resources stay up to date, and I don’t have to save them directly to my computer. Being online, I can ensure that the resources stay relevant and its also easy to show families, educators and other professionals.

Who are you writing a blog for?

Everyone!!! I think it more so started for myself, and then has evolved for other professionals and families. My goal is that it becomes a place for parents and professionals to get bite-sized, high quality information and then be able to point them in the right direction for more (expert) information.  

What types of values and beliefs do your audience have?

  • Professionals; valuing the child and family as unit and being family-centred.
  • Parents and Professionals; a want for high quality information that is easy to read and understand.
  • Parents; curious about their child and wanting to know more.

Who are your audience?

  • Parents
  • Professionals – Allied Health


What style of Blog did you want?

I wanted a blog that was easy to read, simple and clear, and expert and evidenced-based. This is easy to say but much harder to deliver! I personally hate reading long blog posts with loads of ads, so I wanted to create something I would read.

I didn’t want a sell-y, hard to read, wordy and long website that took ages to find what you were looking for. It does mean that I continually having to focus on keeping it simple, but it also helps keep me focused! That said, maintaining a website is a lot of work, and I do have to consider how to cover these ongoing costs.

Its really important to me as a therapist to ‘do what you say you are going to do’ as much as possible. I didn’t want to create something that didn’t align with my values as a professional, but also as a future parent and someone who uses the internet daily.

Find out more about us on our about us page here!

Tara is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist, currently based in North Queensland. She has extensive experience working with children who have individual, additional and complex needs. She has a detailed understanding of early intervention, trans-disciplinary working, autism, sensory processing, as well as the importance of meaningful occupation. Her easy-going but effective approach works with families from all backgrounds, and her passion is ensuring that therapy 'works in real life' for families and children. She builds LHA and blogs in her evenings and spare time. She currently lives in sunny Townsville with her husband, Tim and their two sons.

Posted in Making it Easy

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