Vision
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is recognized as the premier national organization representing experts in communication sciences and disorders.
Mission
The mission of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is to promote the interests of and provide the highest quality of services for professionals in audiology, speech-language pathology, and speech and hearing science and to advocate for people with communication disabilities.
Guiding Principles/Values
- That ASHA support the highest levels of professional standards for those who provide speech-language pathology and audiology services.
- That ASHA be the national authority and a resource to other national and international NOVA Programs in audiology and speech-language pathology.
- That ASHA be an advocate for the professions on scientific, educational, and societal issues that affect speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and people with communication disabilities.
- That ASHA advance the professional standing of audiologists and speech-language pathologists in society in general; with all levels of government; and in healthcare, education, research, and business settings.
- That ASHA contribute to the scientific base, quality, efficiency, and efficacy of the practice of speech-language pathology and audiology in all settings.
- That ASHA promote, in its policies and practices, opportunities for full and equal participation of all members, with emphasis given to racial and ethnic minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
- That ASHA recognize its commitments to nondiscrimination and affirmative action on the basis of race, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
- That ASHA and ASHA members have an integrated system for achieving member/client satisfaction and use quantitative methods to continually improve services and products.
Envisioned Future
It is 2025 and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is a leading organization for communication sciences and disorders, including speech, language, hearing, dysphagia, and related functions.
Because of ASHA's prestige, diversity, extensive information, and outreach; policymakers, personnel in federal and state agencies, the media, other professionals, and consumers communicate with ASHA and its expert members when they need guidance, knowledge, and advice on standards, credentials, scope of practice, and clinical information related to communication sciences and disorders.
All states in the United States mirror ASHA's standards in their licensure, certification, and accreditation programs. There is mutual recognition by health and education organizations worldwide of each nation's certification standards, including the ASHA Certificates of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. ASHA and speech-language pathology, audiology, and speech, language, and hearing science organizations worldwide have developed systems to enhance the interchange of professional knowledge and education that has allowed international recognition of the professions and international collaboration on issues related to communication sciences and disorders.
Evidence-based practice as well as basic, applied, and efficacy research has added volumes of research supporting current practices and developing new procedures. Basic, applied, and efficacy research activity has identified the causes and evidence for best practice for the prevention and treatment of communication disorders. Advances in medicine and rehabilitation research have reduced the number of persons with communication disorders related to genetic and neurological disorders.
There is national and international recognition of all areas of practice in communication sciences and disorders, including literacy, communication wellness, and prevention. Communication Sciences and Disorders departments have no long-term vacancies in doctoral-level faculty positions. There is a sufficient supply of qualified doctoral faculty to meet the teaching and research goals of higher education or academic programs.
The membership of the association and those practicing the professions represent the diversity of persons in this country and those served by the professions. All members of the Association are culturally competent and have acquired the knowledge and skills to become specialists/experts in one or more areas of communication sciences and disorders. Because of their expertise, member's services are provided in a culturally competent manner, are valued, and are in high demand. Because of the high quality services provided, consumers have optimum communication abilities across their lifespan.
As a result of its success in providing value-added expert services, ASHA is viewed as the premier organization providing programs and services for audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists and is the association of choice for professionals in communication sciences and disorders.
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