Incorporating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) into Departmental Culture

8:15 – 8:45 AM | Simulive

Abstract:  The Communication Disorder profession actively serves all ages of individuals who experience barriers to successful communication and activities like feeding and swallowing. But, despite our focus on improving life outcomes for the individuals we serve, we recognize there are areas related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) that remain problematic. For example, the field lacks diversity – 95% of speech-language pathologists identify as female and approximately 90% identify as white/not Hispanic. Recently, our accrediting body has placed greater emphasis on addressing DEIA issues across the field, which has led to more educational and resources for professionals.

The Communication Disorders program at Marshall University faces many of the same issues experienced by the field at large. So, to address these challenges, in fall 2022 we established a departmental DEIA committee. In our presentation, we propose to share our rationale for having a dedicated DEIA committee at the departmental level, our process for developing a mission statement and goals for the first year, our current progress, and lessons we have learned.