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Announcements
Perspectives is now an Internet-only publication!
In 2008, Special Interest Division member publications, Perspectives, went to an electronic format in order to:
- Respond to affiliates' interest in accessing content online.
- Provide new benefits not available through the print publishing (e.g., archived issues).
- Save some GREEN. Increases in content and frequency of publication coupled with increasing postage costs put a strain on Division budgets. Electronic publishing frees up resources that can be allocated to other Division programs and member benefits.
- Be more GREEN. Electronic publishing saves resources (paper, energy).
Division 15 launches its Web site for Perspectives on Gerontology July 24.
Web Events
Live, 2-hour Web Events are open to all ASHA and NSSLHA members. They take place in the Discussion Forums area of the ASHA Web site. The following events were organized and presented by Division 15 (alone and in collaboration with other Divisions).
Special Interest Division 15, Gerontology is concerned with the interdisciplinary study and communication and swallowing behaviors and disorders in older individuals. The mission of Division 15 is to promote an understanding of the effects of normal and pathological aging on cognition, language, speech, hearing, and swallowing. We can accomplish this mission by:
- providing knowledge-based "research to practice" professional development opportunities for our affiliates,
- developing communication and networking in diverse professional and scientific settings,
- increasing awareness of the communication and swallowing needs of older individuals among consumers and professionals, and
- advocating for positive outcomes on issues concerning older individuals.
Goals
The goals of Division 15 include:
- To increase professional awareness of geriatric concerns in the delivery of communication and swallowing disorders services.
- To develop a forum for discussion of age-related research and clinical issues that impact upon service delivery to older adults and for dissemination of relevant information in a timely fashion.
- To promote continuing education opportunities for ASHA members interested in gerontology and gerontological aspects of communication and swallowing disorders.
- To provide advocacy within and recommendations to ASHA regarding policies, procedures, and guidelines related to geriatric communication and swallowing disorders.
- To interact with other organizations concerned with the needs of older Americans, in order to promote quality interdisciplinary interventions and enhance the visibility of speech-language pathology and audiology services and professions within the services network for older individuals.
Perspectives—our peer-reviewed publication
Published in July and December, the Division 15 Newsletter—Perspectives on Gerontology—features:
- News of division activities,
- Invited articles on research and clinical issues, and
- Articles on professional, practice, and legislative and regulatory issues.
Continuing Education
Division 15 offers its affiliates the opportunity to earn CEUs through self-study of Perspectives on Gerontology, the Division's member publication. (A $5 processing fee is required to take the CE exam for each activity/issue.)
Division 15 sponsors a Short Course at the ASHA Convention. Affiliates are eligible to receive a 50% discount on the fee to attend select Convention Short Courses (including Short Courses offered by other Divisions).
E-mail List & Networking
Division 15 sponsors an exclusive e-mail list (for Division 15 affiliates only) and Web forum. Affiliates have the opportunity to identify others with an interest in gerontology through affiliate membership and participation on the list and throught the forum.
Representation Within ASHA
- The Division 15 Coordinator represents the Gerontology Special Interest Division within the ASHA Board of Division Coordinators.
- The Steering Committee responds to ASHA requests for input regarding policy, guidelines, committees, and other issues.
- Affiliates have the opportunity to provide input to the division leadership and ASHA.
Specific study and professional issues and activities will be determined by the Division 15 affiliates and Steering Committee.
Members
Coordinator: Mary Casper, HCR ManorCare
Associate Coordinator: Ann Kulichik, Genesis Rehab
Jennifer Brush, Ideas Consulting
Nicola Grimes, Private Contractor, Owensboro, KY
Paula Zappala, Genesis Rehab
Ex Officios
Brian B. Shulman, Monitoring Vice President for Professional Practices in Speech-Language Pathology
Gwendolyn D. Wilson, Monitoring Vice President for Professional Practices in Audiology
Leigh Deussing, Associate Director, Special Interest Divisions
Division Volunteer Program Managers
Perspectives Editor: Grace Burke, Sun Healthcare
Associate Editor: Anna Norwood, Sundance Rehab
CE Administrator: Anne Gilbertson, HCR ManorCare
For more information about Division 15, call the ASHA Action Center at 1-800-498-2071.