Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at ASHA

We recognize and respect individuality; we value the power of the collective to promote positive change and to propel us forward; and we affirm that the more diverse our membership and perspectives are, the more effective we can be as audiologists, speech-language pathologists, speech-language, and hearing scientists, audiology assistants, and speech-language pathology assistants. We contend that respectful, purposeful, and meaningful engagement of diverse perspectives will promote equity and access and will increase our individual and collective success.

We believe that representation matters, that culturally responsive care is a clinical imperative, and that quality service and optimal outcomes are best achieved by professionals who engage in self-reflection and address power imbalances inherent to (a) educational and health care systems and (b) relationships with clients, patients, students, and families.

We commit to fostering an equitable, accessible, and inclusive professional home for an increasingly diverse ASHA membership; actively seeking to identify, reduce, and (where possible) eliminate barriers and discrimination; and purposefully advancing and integrating principles of belonging in our processes and systems.

We aspire to facilitate access to the discipline for under-represented populations, to affirm and include the voices of historically minoritized and marginalized individuals, and to be a resource and community that provides and improves experiences for all ASHA constituents, clients, patients, students, and their caregivers and/or loved ones.