Reimagining Speech-Language Pathology: Decolonizing Practices, Cultivating Criticality, and Embracing Pluralism

Temple University Main Campus

Tuesday, October 22, 2024  4:00 - 6:30 PM

Overview

In this presentation, we will embark on a transformative imaginative journey to reconceptualize the role of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) in society. We will delve into the historical formation of our discipline, connecting it to current perceptions and identities, while challenging the racism, ableism, and sexism that may underlie our professional practices. Through a critical lens, we will explore avenues to reshape our identity as SLPs, emphasizing a commitment to promoting pluralism and social justice,  fostering meaning and impact by dismantling normative standards that perpetuate societal inequalities as part of our scope. Drawing on insights from decoloniality studies and responsive teaching frameworks, we will examine the need for both institutional and individual-level changes to pave the way towards a more inclusive and socially just discipline. We will model and discuss practical strategies for infusing social justice, criticality, and cultural responsiveness into pre-service teaching, research, and clinical practice.

Speaker

Reem Khamis, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is Professor and Academic Director of the Communication Sciences and Disorders Program, Long Island University, Brooklyn. She is the director of the Culture, Language, and Society in SLP (CLaS in SLP) Lab. She is a professor emeritus at Adelphi University. Her area of expertise focuses on language development, processing, and clinical services within the sociolinguistic situation of diglossia and individuals from diverse populations. Her experience includes years of work as a speech pathologist serving Arabic, Hebrew and English-speaking individuals with communication disabilities, teacher and mentor in pre-service and in-service education programs in speech pathology and childhood education, as well as an administrator and leader in business and higher education. She is the 2020 recipient of the CAPCSD Excellence in Diversity Award. She is a member of the Speech, Language, Hearing Scientists Equity Action Collective. She served as a consultant in many humanitarian groups including Syria Cannot Wait, and Ahlan Simsim. She is a co-founder of the Arab Speech-Language Pathologists organization in Israel (ALSON) and the Journal of Critical Study of Communication and Disability.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Financial Disclosure:
I am being compensated with a speaker fee and my transportation and hotel stay will be covered for providing the upcoming presentation.

Non-Financial Disclosure:
I am a founding member of the Equity Action Collective and serve as the managing editor for the Journal of Critical Study of Communication and Disability.

Learner Outcomes

Attendees will be able to: 

1. Recognize and critically analyze the historical formation and current identity of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) within the context of societal norms, ideological biases, and hegemonic structures.
2. Explore strategies for decolonizing SLP practices by integrating principles of pluralism, criticality, and responsive teaching into both academic curricula and clinical frameworks.
3. Develop a heightened awareness of implicit biases and systemic barriers within SLP education and practice, and empower participants to initiate meaningful changes at both individual and institutional levels towards a more inclusive and socially just discipline.

Continuing Education

Registration Fees

General Registration fee = Free for Speech-Language Pathologists

     Please register only if you can attend as space is limited     

       Includes 0.25 ASHA CEUs

Students in Speech-Language Pathology  = Free      

       Currently enrolled Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students from Temple University and local Universities 

Location

Temple University Main Campus

Howard Gittis Student Center, Room 217 A/B

1735 N 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA  19123

(Corner of N 13 St and Montgomery Ave)

This is an In-person event; there is not a virtual option for attendance.

Directions

Public Transportation to Temple’s Main Campus

SEPTA Regional RailLines:  Temple University Station (10th and Berks Streets).

Broad Street Subway: All local trains stop at Cecil B. Moore Station (Broad Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue).

Off-Street Parking Options  (Temple Parking)

$6/Hour at Montgomery Garage (12^th Street between Cecil B. Moore and Montgomery Ave: 1859 N 11 St)

$6/Hour at Cecil B. Moore Lot (Cecil B. Moore b/w 12^th and 13^th Streets: 1223 Cecil B. Moore Ave)

$7/Hour at Tuttleman Lot (Montgomery Ave b/w 12th and 13th Sreets: 1205 W Montgomery Ave)