Statement on Dismantling Racism and Striving for Equity
As a racially equitable program we have the capability to transform and dismantle inequities and racism in educational and healthcare settings and in the field of audiology and speech-language pathology.
We acknowledge that there are systemic issues of implicit bias, racism and inequity within the fields of audiology and speech-language pathology that impact the access to graduate programs for students of color and individuals with disabilities and Transgender/Queer community. Race, culture, gender, sexuality, and disability [ableism] bias play a role in predictable patterns of performance and historical exclusion in the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology. Therefore, we commit ourselves to advocate for and dismantle barriers utilizing an intersectional lens.
- Actionable goals that we have met but will continue this academic year: We no longer require the Graduate Record Examination in graduate applications for our Master's degree program in Speech-Language Pathology due to barriers and biased measures of standardized testing. Additionally, we will incorporate holistic admissions processes moving forward.
- Thanks to a donor, we have a yearly donation that is designated for our Diversity & Inclusion Fellows and diversity, equity and inclusion work in the department. We continue to seek donations and grants to support our programming.
- We will continue the work started last year to build programming with an explicit goal of recruiting individuals from racially, culturally, linguistically and gender diverse backgrounds for both graduate and undergraduate programs.
- We have implemented coursework in both graduate and undergraduate programs to address diversity, equity and inclusion in the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology and related settings and will continue hiring and admission practices utilizing an equity lens.
- Faculty and staff have engaged in, and will continue to engage in, anti-racism and cultural humility continuing education.
- Faculty, staff, and students will work to empower individuals with disabilities and communication difficulties across the lifespan by recognizing the history of disability discrimination and the ongoing harms of ableism in the field.
- E.g., Writing ableist goals in speech-language pathology.
- Prohibition on the use of sign language and forcing oralism in education and healthcare settings, instead of providing d/hh people with Deaf role models.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Taskforce is implementing programming in the areas of recruitment, mentorship, current and continuing education, research and service.
Updated September, 2022
