Ottawa, ON - May is Speech and Hearing Awareness Month. Many of us take our hearing and ability to speak for granted. Whether we are chatting with a group of friends, playing on the basketball court or listening to the radio, our ability to communicate is vital in our everyday activities. For millions of Canadians however, speech, language or hearing problems are a daily challenge affecting the work/school, family and social aspects of their lives.
May Month has been celebrated across North America since 1927 as an annual event that promotes and celebrates members of the professions and the impact they make on the health of our country. The Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA), and our more than 5,400 members across the country are working together throughout the month of May to raise public awareness of the professions and the many issues surrounding speech, language and hearing disorders. Speech-language pathologists, audiologists and supportive personnel are trained professionals who work with Canadians of all ages dealing with many different types of communication disorders. Whether working with a hearing impaired child or an elderly person recovering from a stroke, they strive tirelessly to help improve the quality of life and health of the people they serve. Watch for exciting May Month events in your community such as hearing screenings, speech clinic open houses, contests, radio talk shows and other activities.
Nationally, CASLPA is celebrating May Month 2009 with the launch of a new consumer web portal speechandhearing.ca. Designed for the consumer, this new area, that will go live in May, will draw together and enhance numerous elements of our current website specifically of interest to the public - our Find a Professional search engine, fact sheets, web-links, resources and more. This will greatly improve the accessibility and quality of information and resources we make available to parents, teachers, the media and others. CASLPA is also honouring 89 new long-term members who have belonged to the association for more than 25 years. These individuals join a group of 541 other 25+ year members who together, represent 15,750 years of service to the professions and the communities and patients they serve. Check out our website to see who from your community is on the list: www.caslpa.ca/english/profession/25year_award.asp.
CASLPA is a not-for-profit association supporting the professional needs of its members through a wide variety of programs and services. If you would like to know more, please visit our website www.caslpa.ca.
