Look for Promotional Materials in This Issue
by Susan Boswell
All across the country, speech-language pathologists and audiologists are finding innovative ways to raise awareness of the professions as they prepare for Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM), which begins May 1.
Residents of Lynchburg, VA, in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, are learning about BHSM through an official proclamation by Mayor Carl Hutcherson, Jr., thanks to the efforts of Carol Hubbard, an itinerant SLP in the area. This was the second year she has succeeded in gaining official recognition for BHSM.
The mayor’s resolution proclaims May 2002 Better Hearing and Speech Month "to facilitate greater awareness of speech, language, and hearing disorders and their treatment, and to honor the professionals in the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology for their outstanding work in our city."
You too can take advantage of this opportunity to promote the professions—and your services. This 75th anniversary of BHSM focuses on children and urges you to promote good speech, language, and hearing among your youngest clients, and also spotlights you—the professionals who help these children.
To get started, check out the BHSM materials in this issue and combine them with the following innovative ideas to make your marketing efforts shine.
- Poster— Speech, Language, and Hearing
Turn to the center of this issue (pages 18–19) and lift out the free color poster. Hang it in your classroom, waiting room, or hospital. Or mount the poster and bring it with you when you make presentations this May to the community, referral sources, school boards, or any other groups. Members can request one additional poster free of charge by calling ASHA’s Action Center at 800-498-2071.
• Specialty Items
Items with the 2002 BHSM theme—T-shirts, mugs, pencils, buttons, and more—can be purchased and used as giveaways at community health fairs or as gifts for referral sources or clients. Some of the products are featured on the reverse side of the poster in this issue. To view all of the products available, visit ASHA’s Web site .
• ASHA’s Interactive BHSM Web Site
Go to ASHA’s Web site to find sample public service announcements, resolutions, and press releases that are ready for use or can be tailored to meet your needs. Follow the link to the BHSM section of the ASHA member forums to find out what other ASHA members are doing during BHSM. See the sidebar at left to find out how one school-based member combined a parent visitation day with BHSM to begin an enduring tradition that showcases her students’ speech and language skills.
• Activity Book— Healthy Communication, It’s Cool!
This new activity book is a fun way for elementary school-aged children and their parents to learn about good communication skills this May. Use the activity book as a giveaway during BHSM activities at your school, make them available at health fairs, and put copies in your waiting room. ASHA members can request 50 free copies while supplies last by calling ASHA’s Action Center. The activity book also can be downloaded from the BHSM section of ASHA’s Web site.
• BHSM Screensaver
Download a free BHSM screensaver from ASHA’s Web site to spread the word about children’s hearing and speech during BHSM—and beyond. Place the screensaver on all computers in your office, and display it on computers that you use when making presentations.
Spread the word about the professions during BHSM to supplement your current marketing efforts, or use BHSM as a launchpad for your 2002 marketing efforts. Look for more news about BHSM and ways to promote the professions in future issues of The ASHA Leader .
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