Communication Access Resources: Related Frameworks and Organizations

See what others are doing to support effective communication access in health settings and how you might apply similar practices to your setting. Dive deeper into how you can improve outcomes using these resources from ASHA and beyond.

This list is not exhaustive, and the inclusion of any specific programs, products, or services from outside sources does not imply endorsement from ASHA.

Related Frameworks

Alberta Health Services: Communication Access A Canadian health service initiative that highlights six key strategies to support effective communication during patient interactions. They offer posters, videos, communication tools, and patient–provider education.
Communication Disabilities Access Canada: Healthcare Providers A communication access initiative across different settings in Canada that includes action steps for more accessible health care and emergency services.
Hearing Loss Association of America: Communication Access in Health Care A program that advocates for communication access for deaf and hard of hearing patients and care partners. It offers patient and professional resources to ensure personalized, accessible communication, and compliance with effective communication laws and regulations.
Penn State Health: ADEPT-CARE Protocol [Video] ADEPT-CARE is a mnemonic for performing a comprehensive history and physical exam with patients who have disabilities to promote equitable access to care. It includes engaging with patients directly and asking about communication preferences.
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists: Communication Access UK This United Kingdom initiative has created the Communication Access Symbol. This symbol can be displayed by organizations and individuals who have completed the free online trainings and are committed to following its TALK framework for communication access.
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center: Health Care for Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Toolkit This site outlines its Communicate CARE framework for effective communication access, appointment preparation, and intervention planning when treating adults with IDD.

Related Organizations

ADA National Network Provides technical assistance, trainings, and resources in English and Spanish to help with Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. One focus of their work is raising awareness about ADA requirements for effective communication in health care settings.
Alliance for Disability in Health Care Education Works to integrate disability-related competencies into health care education and training programs.
Disability Equity Collaborative Works with individuals, health care systems, policymakers, researchers, and professional groups to address health disparities. It offers working groups and resources to improve effective communication access in health settings.
IDD Health Equity Champions inclusive learning resources for interprofessional education curricula on accessible health care for people with IDD.
The National Council on Interpreting in Health Care Provides interpreting frameworks, trainings, and tools to enhance culturally responsive language access services in healthcare, including resources to support communication with patients who use American Sign Language.
Patient–Provider Communication Network Offers tools, trainings, and resources for SLPs and other health professionals to support communication access in hospitals, emergency situations and other medical encounters.
Speech Pathology Australia: Communication Hub Provides information about communication disabilities, barriers, and benefits to accessible communication, and ways to support communication access in different settings.
USSAAC: Emergencies and Disasters Provides resources and tools for professionals, volunteers, and people who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to ensure access to communication before, during, and after emergencies and disasters.

Selected ASHA Content

Communication Access in Health Services Special Collection A collection of ASHA publications and other research articles to assist with evidence-based practices to improve effective communication and health outcomes for people with communication disabilities.
Communication Bill of Rights This National Joint Committee for the Communication Needs of Persons With Severe Disabilities document states that everyone has the right to communication access all the time—and everyone deserves to ask about what’s happening to them and make their preferences known.
What Do Audiologists and SLPs Do? [PDF] Learn more about the services that audiologists and SLPs provide. Use ASHA’s Audiologist and ENT Referral Guide [PDF] and SLP Health Care Referral Guidelines to make sure that patients receive the care they need—when they need it.