Widening the SLP lens: How can we improve the wellbeing of people with communication disabilities globally

Abstract

This article responds to Wylie, McAllister, Davidson, and Marshall (2013) by arguing that the wellbeing of people with communication disabilities in the global south will be improved if speech and language pathologists widen their lens considerably. The numbers of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in the Majority World is and will remain infinitesimally small. Therefore, to make any meaningful impact the profession needs to engage in debates and activities outside the health and service provision arenas, getting involved cross-sectorally and at various policy levels. It is contended that, although the World Report on Disability is a useful summary of the status quo, actually SLPs need to harness two other seminal documents: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and, more particularly, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities in order to drive change. Historically the profession's focus has been on impairments, and current moves to social models are welcome. However, SLPs need to embrace human rights approaches and broader frameworks of inclusive community development, using global initiatives such as community-based rehabilitation to improve the lives of people with communication disabilities. Why SLPs should become critically engaged, particularly at the macro level, is explored.

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