Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The MSHA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee is dedicated to developing, promoting, and utilizing responsive and transformative practices and policies with explicit inclusion of historically excluded and marginalized individuals in the process of becoming a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization.

♦Did you know there was group for LGBTQ Speech-Language Pathologists? L'GASP is a forum in which gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and allied SLPs and audiologists work on issues that concern their professional lives. For more information or to join L'GASP

♦Multicultural Constituency Groups
Multicultural constituency groups (MCCGs) are allied/related professional organizations that are independent of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Each MCCG focuses on an identified population and addresses the client/patient/professional/student perspective of that population. Through both individual and collective efforts, the MCCGs recruit professionals; promote cultural competence and improvement in the quality of speech, language, and hearing services; promote research and knowledge related to identification, diagnosis, and treatment; support students; advocate at the local, state, and national levels for consumers; encourage leadership and engagement in professional and related issues, provide professional support and networking opportunities; and disseminate information and resources. ASHA provides information on these organizations here as a resource for members and/or the public. ASHA provides no financial support to these organizations. 

♦Issues in Ethics: Cultural and Linguistic Competence

♦Faculty Take On Culturally Insensitive Test Items
An offensive item spurs California State University, East Bay, faculty members and clinical staff to address inappropriate images in published materials.

♦Adapting Early Language Interventions for Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
A literature review offers recommendations to advance early language research and practice in culturally and linguistically diverse populations

♦Ida J. Stockman Award for Diversity & Infusion 

MSHA has created a new award for individuals who make significant contributions to diversity and infusion within the fields of speech pathology, audiology and society.  This prestigious award has been named the "Dr. Ida J. Stockman Award for Diversity & Infusion" in honor of Dr. Stockman's contributions to diversity and infusion within the classroom, research laboratory, and clinical settings. Dr. Yvette Hyter, Ph.D., CCC-SLP was awarded the inaugural Dr. Ida J. Stockman Award for Diversity & Infusion based on her significant research contributions in the area of diversity. The award was presented to Dr. Hyter at the MSHA Annual Conference on March 18, 2021.

The Ida J. Stockman Award for Diversity and Infusion shall be awarded to members of the Association in recognition of their contributions 1) to promote the fair treatment and full participation of all individuals with communication and swallowing disorders across service delivery settings, and/or 2) to increase the presence of populations who have historically been under-represented or subjected to discrimination because of their background, identity, or disability. The deadline for nominations is November, 2023 and submissions can be made by using the Ida J. Stockman Award for Diversity and Infusion Nomination Form.