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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives of Communication Sciences and Disorders Programs
What is it about?
In the fields speech-language pathology and audiology there are disproportionately low numbers of professionals from diverse backgrounds. One way professionals and educators are addressing this issue is through the implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) graduate and undergraduate programs. This paper explored DEI initiatives being implemented by CSD programs at universities across the United States with the intent to guide and support future research studies.
Why is it important?
This study produced four major findings related to DEI initiatives in CSD programs: (a) The majority of CSD programs included in this study reported use of DEI initiatives focusing on inclusion; (b) CSD programs included in this study reported implementation of DEI initiatives that fall into seven themes (trainings, workshops, and retreats; committees and clubs; curriculum, policies, and programs; scholarships, admissions, recruitment, and retention; mentoring; community engagement; social media, website modification, forums, and discussions); (c) CSD programs included in this study reported DEI initiative impact on students and a reduced number of programs reported impact on faculty, staff, and the community; and (d) the DEI initiatives of CSD programs included in this study appeared to vary according to university-level factors. The results of this pilot study can be used to implement future studies and programs with the ultimate goal of improving DEI in the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology.