About Special Interest Group 18, Telepractice

Mission Statement

It is the mission of SIG 18 to provide education, leadership, and advocacy for issues in telepractice for audiology and speech-language pathology.

Goals

To provide resources and education related to telepractice for audiology and speech-language pathology.
To promote excellence in evidence-based clinical practice in telepractice for audiology and speech-language pathology.
To promote the development and dissemination of research in telepractice for audiology and speech-language pathology.
To advocate for professionals who wish to engage in telepractice for audiology and speech-language pathology, including adequate provider reimbursement.
To serve as the voice within ASHA that will promote, interpret, and disseminate information that is relevant to telepractice for audiology and speech-language pathology and serve as a conduit for transmission of information and ideas among Special Interest Group affiliates.
To provide an opportunity for affiliates to identify others with interest in telepractice for audiology and speech-language pathology and engage in ongoing communication and mentoring.
To serve as ASHA's subject matter experts when it liaises with other professional organizations interested in telepractice, including the American Telemedicine Association, Rehabilitation Engineering Society of America, American Occupational Therapy Association, American Physical Therapy Association, and others.
To increase active involvement of ASHA members.

Affiliate Benefits and SIG Programs

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups is the online peer-reviewed scholarly review journal of the SIGs. SIG 18 offers new self-study CE activities through Perspectives each year.

Continuing Education

Earn ASHA continuing education units (CEUs) through

Self-study of Perspectives and pay the lowest processing fee to take the learning assessments
SIG sponsored Master Classes and one-hour sessions at the annual ASHA Convention.

Networking

SIG 18 Affiliates have access to exclusive discussion forums/groups, which provide the opportunity to interact with other SIG Affiliates who share interest in telepractice. Use ASHA's Member Directory to search for individuals by SIG affiliation. In addition, SIG 18 Affiliates can meet in person and online at an ASHA and SIG sponsored events; typically each SIG hosts an Affiliates meeting at Convention and sponsors a virtual open house.

Representation Within ASHA

The SIG 18 Coordinator represents the Special Interest Group within the ASHA Board of Special Interest Group Coordinators.
The Coordinating Committee responds to ASHA requests for input regarding policy, guidelines, committees, and other issues.
Affiliates have the opportunity to provide input to the SIG leadership and ASHA.

Coordinating Committee Members

2023–2025 Coordinator: Tara N. Roehl, Speechy Keen SLP
2023–2025 Associate Coordinator: Karin Hartunian Koukeyan, SLPtele, LLC
2023–2025 Editor: Elizabeth U. Grillo, West Chester University
2021–2023 Professional Development Manager: Lindsay James Riegler, Cincinnati VA Medical Center
2022–2024 Member-at-Large: Taina Jimenez Lopez, VocoVision
2021–2023 Member-at-Large: Tracy J. Sippl, S&L Teletherapy Consulting, LLC
Ex Officio: Brooke Hatfield, Associate Director, Health Care Services, ASHA