|
This is the sixth in a pilot series of occasional ASHA Executive Director Update postings. Many thanks to those of you who provided feedback regarding the previous updates (2-27-04: Overview of ASHA’s National Office; 4-06-04: ASHA’s Action Center; 5-20-04: ASHA Web Cluster; 8-21-04: ASHA’s Audiology Practices Unit; 10-8-04 ASHA Speech-Language Pathology Practices Unit), or suggestions for future ED updates.
This update focuses on the ASHA Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA)
The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) is one of ASHA's three professional practices units, joining the Audiology Practices Unit and Speech-Language Pathology Practices Unit in "promoting the interests of and providing the highest quality services for professionals in audiology, speech-language pathology, and speech and hearing science and (advocating) for people with communication disabilities." OMA's mission is to address cultural and linguistic diversity (CLD) issues in professional preparation and service delivery and reflects ASHA's long-standing commitment to multicultural issues. OMA staff includes three speech-language pathologists, one audiologist, and an administrative assistant who are organized into two teams.
The Multicultural Practices and Education Team:
- provides training and consultation on multicultural issues
- develops informational materials and revenue-producing programs
- consults with other units on the infusion of diversity into all ASHA educational program offerings
- facilitates the delivery of diversity programs to the National Office staff through the Diversity Team
The Multicultural Resources Team:
- tracks needs and trends relative to racial, ethnic, and other minority populations; and access to professional services
- tracks needs and trends relative to CLD members and students
- compiles and disseminates information on trends, data, research, legislation, and organizational initiatives
- identifies resources e.g. on normative development in non-English speaking populations, culturally relevant expectations, and alternative assessment techniques
Both teams are responsible for providing expert technical consultation to members, other professionals, students, volunteer leaders, and consumers; supporting the infusion of multicultural content into National Office units' action plans and activities, and assisting in the implementation of the Association's Focused Initiatives. OMA also assists in the:
- identification of subject matter experts
- support of efforts for the recruitment, retention, and education of culturally competent professionals
- identification and development of resources for faculty
- development of resources for CLD consumers
ASHA resources for audiology and speech-language pathology to support increased cultural competence in service delivery have also been used by professional organizations such as the American Medical Association, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and Head Start and include for example,
- policy documents (e.g. Knowledge and Skills Needed by Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists to Provide Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services)
- web resources (e.g. Tips for Working with an Interpreter, Working with CLD Populations: Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, Self-Assessment Tool for Cultural Competence, and reading lists)
- professional development programs (e.g. African American English: Structure and Implications (CD-Rom); Assessment of Bilingual Learners: Language Difference or Disorder?; Cultural Competence in Audiology Practice; and Working with Interpreters to Serve Bilingual Children and Families)
- consumer information brochures available in English and Spanish including Audiologists: Hear for a Lifetime, Communication for a Lifetime, ¡Infórmese!, Learning Two Languages, Newborn Hearing Screenings, Noise: Bad for Your Hearing. Bad For Your Health, and Partners in Speech, Language, and Hearing: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers of Babies, Toddlers and Young Children; and How Does Your Child Hear and Talk? available in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
To learn more about the staff in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, please visit our OMA staff page.
National Office Staff Update
The following individuals are new to the ASHA Staff:
- Nellie Chick - Registration Manager - Conventions & Meetings
- Emily Diaz - Administrative Assistant - ASHF
- Temple Gomez - Manager Non Dues Revenue - Accounts Receivable
- Sheri Gordon - Administrative Assistant - Professional Practices
- Peter Hoffman - Production Editor - Publications
- Judy Levinson - Programmer Analyst - Information Systems
- Beverly Ryan - Manager of Annual Fundraising - ASHF
- Larae Taylor - Administrative Assistant - OMA & Professional Development
Recent ASHA National Office/Staff Awards:
"Keep an Eye on your Ears" national public service advertising campaign, received the International Association of Communicators' DC Chapter, Award of Excellence in the category of Advertising or Marketing Campaign (the category's highest honor).
ASHA received Honorable Mention in the category of Public Service Announcement for the PSA campaign from PR News.
Next Executive Director Update - End of the year 2004 report on N. O. operational efficiencies from the Facilitating Team.
Feedback please!!! Please let me know if such information is of interest to you and what other topics or information you'd like to see included in future Executive Director Updates.
|