2004-2005 Projects on Multicultural Activities
An Expansion of a Multicultural Case for IntaSim
Mary Jo Germani
Ball State University
Students in speech-language pathology need to develop professional assessment and problem solving skills to be used in complex and culturally diverse social interactions. It may be difficult or impossible to provide students with a diverse client population in their curriculum and clinical practicum. Interface for Active Simulations (IntaSim) will simulate professional realities and provide students with interactive and complex practical situations from the Hispanic culture. IntaSim includes video clips of family interviews, information about family structure, background information about family health and communication problems; and basic information about the family's culture and the surrounding community. Project objectives include:
- foster cultural awareness through the use of innovative socially and ethnically diverse digital case study simulations
- develop and or increase demonstrated professional competencies required in the professional tasks that graduates must perform and that the academic program must ensure are mastered prior to awarding an academic degree
- foster a working knowledge of health related and social service disciplines and their respective roles in the delivery of services to clients
- provide a framework for developing multidisciplinary collaboration skills through the use of a variety of mediums in meeting the communication, health, economic, environmental, and social/psychological needs of individuals, families, and communities.
Nizhónigo 'óho 'aah baazhniyá: Reaching Our Graduate Educational Goal Through Speech-Language Pathology
Judith B. King
D. Elise Lindstedt
Northern Arizona University
Effective communicative change among culturally and linguistically diverse people can occur when culturally-relevant and sensitive approaches are used. It is essential that more students are recruited and educated in the profession of speech-language pathology who share cultural backgrounds with the clients they serve.
American Indian graduate students were recruited into the Summers Only CSD program at Northern Arizona University. The Summers Only program allows students who are currently employed as school-based SLPs (working with only an undergraduate degree in speech pathology) to complete their masters degree in clinical speech-language pathology over the course of four summers. Students are also involved in an ethnographic research project over the course of their program.
Talking Fotonovelas for Low Literacy Hispanic and African American Populations
Silvia Martinez
Howard University
The aim of this project was to increase health literacy of the discipline of speech- language pathology and audiology in Hispanics and African Americans with low literacy levels in English and or Spanish. The project proposed to establish a web-based site containing talking fotonovelas to be accessed by different service delivery sites. The fotonovelas will increase the understanding of service procedures, the nature of speech-language pathologies and hearing problems, and clinical recommendations. Fotonovelas are similar to comic books, and contain photographs with simple dialogue bubbles. The project also proposed to present an alternative to brochures in the form of fotonovelas with voice-overs. The fotonovela format takes advantage of the strong oral traditions of both African Americans and Hispanics.
The Development of a Multi-Step Strategy for Promoting the Professions of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology to Racially and Ethnically Diverse Students Enrolled in Community Colleges
Shelly Chabon
Rockhurst University
The goals of this project were to promote the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology and to recruit students of color into the professions by developing a multi-step strategy for strengthening partnerships with local community colleges. Specific objectives were:
- to increase opportunities to learn about the professions of speech-language pathology and Audiology among racial/ethnic minority students at community colleges, and
- to recruit qualified racial/ethnic minority students to Rockhurst's CSD department.
A partnership was formed with area community colleges which encompassed developing an awareness among faculty, staff, and students and their families of career opportunities in and academic requirements for the practice of speech-language pathology and Audiology. Meetings with individuals as well as town meetings were conducted on the community college campuses. Informational and promotional materials were prepared in both Spanish and English. Course offerings at local institutions were reviewed and information provided that was designed specifically for their institutions and students (e.g. course equivalency forms, in-class presentations) as opposed to general and commercially available materials.
Approximately 360 students enrolled in community colleges participated in project activities. By the conclusion of the project, approximately 70 students requested additional information about the CSD program, 27 formal inquiries were made regarding transferring to Rockhurst University, and 7 students were admitted. Suggestions for retaining the partnership are offered.
2004–2005 Review Panel: Julie Bisbee, Paul Farrell, Corrine Lee, Jada Love, and Gloria Weddington
