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The Kearney Student Speech Language and Hearing Association was chartered in 1970. Since then the organization has continued to grow and become more active both on campus and in the community. The communication disorders program at UNK consists of 55 undergraduate and 25 graduate students with 52 of those students being members of KSSLHA. Of the 52 KSSLHA members 18 are also members of NSSLHA, with one member being a NSSLHA regional counselor.
Community Outreach
KSSLHA's main goal is to enhance community awareness of speech, language and hearing issues, as well as provide services to community members in these areas. KSSLHA has been involved in many community activities such as, providing child care for monthly autism support groups in the community, assisting with game night at a local elementary school, and participating in the UNK Homecoming parade. We also take part in Kidz Explore, a community children's festival, as well as provide hearing screenings at the campus welcome back celebration and for farmers attending Husker Harvest Days, a statewide farming convention. We also take pride in promoting Better Speech and Hearing month through creating table tents, banners and providing hearing screenings on campus.
Fundraising
KSSLHA has also donated funds annually to the Stuttering Foundation of America and to support our members attending the ASHA convention. In order to give back to students KSSLHA annually gives funds to scholarships such as the Dr. Kathryn Falconer Scholarship for UNK students, or NSSLHA student scholarships. Through the involvement and dedication of the members, KSSLHA was able to provide funds for new materials for the UNK Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic. Funds were raised through projects such as selling Barn Candles, and an Usborne book fair. In addition to these projects we also take part in an annual Runza Night where a local restaurant divides half of its profits for the evening with our organization in exchange for our help at the restaurant. During Runza Night we provide table tents and tray liners promoting speech and hearing awareness. We also annually contribute to the NSSLHA Loves Campaign. The funds donated this year for the campaign were raised through raffling off an afghan made by a former faculty member.
Mentoring and Membership
KSSLHA offers monthly group meetings to discuss group activities, upcoming events and group business. Members of the organization serve on different committees such as the fundraising, courtesy, newsletter, and website committees. The organization allows members to be part of mentor groups or a buddy system that were created to increase communication and interaction among group members. The mission of these groups is to allow undergraduate and graduate students to mentor and learn from each other. At the beginning of this year our new website was posted. It provides information about the organization, current activities, and links to the national webpage. We hope that through the efforts of our organization we play a small part in preserving the quality of life of those affected by communication disorders in our world today.
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