Speech-language pathologists as determiners of the human right to diversity in communication for school children in the U.S.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2018
Department/School
Special Education and Communication Sciences and Disorders
Publication Title
International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
Abstract
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression–the right to communication. Communication is at the core of the speech-language pathology (SLP) profession. Yet, while we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights some of our most vulnerable youth are being placed in special education at disproportional rates. School-based SLPs in the United States may be unwittingly contributing to this phenomenon, obstructing the human right to communication because of biased assessment procedures. However, increasing cultural competence, diversifying the profession, and utilising additional assessment measures are actions that can be taken to promote equity in assessment for all children.
Link to Published Version
Recommended Citation
Farrugia-Bernard, A. M. (2018). Speech-language pathologists as determiners of the human right to diversity in communication for school children in the U.S. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 20(1), 170–173. https://doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2018.1406002