Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in COSD

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is committed to a work, learning, and clinical environment in which all individuals, with concerted respect for persons identifying as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, Neurodiverse, and Ability-Diverse, are treated with respect and dignity. This includes students, clients, clients’ families, faculty, and staff.

The Department believes that each individual has the right to work, learn, and receive services in a professional atmosphere that promotes equitable opportunities and prohibits retaliation, discriminatory, or harassing practices against colleagues, clients, clients’ families or other students based on race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, or any other characteristic that has the potential to be targeted and used arbitrarily for discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.

The Department actively welcomes and values diversity and the collective mixture of differences and unique attributes that include individual and organizational characteristics, values, beliefs, cultures, experiences, backgrounds, preferences, and behaviors.  Leveraging these differences and our diversity creates an inclusive environment that allows our students and clients to achieve better results. The Department recognizes that our cultural and other differences contribute to our learning community.  Embracing diversity and advancing inclusiveness requires treating each person as an individual. Individuals’ rights are protected and respected by ensuring that courtesy, dignity, and consideration of others remain the focus of the Department.

The Department prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, against any individual who either reports or participates in an investigation surrounding discrimination or harassment concerns.  Concerns will be immediately directed to the Department Chair or the Dean, and the necessary disciplinary actions will be taken.

The Department will work to directly address issues of systematic racism, privilege, and inequity in both academic and clinical work by establishing additional mechanisms for listening to and empowering individuals within our community who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Neurodiverse, and Ability-Diverse to share their unique realities as Communication Sciences and Disorders professionals and students. These mechanisms include, but are not limited to Departmental and college-wide committees, student and faculty panels, in- and pre-service trainings, as well as other activities targeted to increase the cultural awareness, humility, and competence of COSD students, faculty, and staff. 

• Community Resources
• Cultural Competency
• Inclusive Excellence
• Statement on Social Justice and Inclusive Excellence
• ASHA's Response to Racism