WHY?

1. National Aphasia Association Outreach: Global Connections for Education, Advocacy and Increased Awareness of Aphasia WHY? We live in a wonderfully diverse and increasingly connected world. Embracing cultural humility practices (Tervalon and Murray-Garcia, 1998) and sharing what we know about aphasia while learning from other societies can significantly impact: Global awareness of aphasia Development of products/ treatments and international relationships that enhance provider competence and services/experiences of PWA Preparation of the next generation of culturally competent and globally oriented clinicians HOW? Teaching/ Research Infused throughout coursework; not just in one course Address diversity using the WHO model; emphasizing personal and environmental factors in understanding aphasia Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (LPAA) Identify cross-linguistic studies of aphasia i.e., work of Obler, Basso, Goral, Kiran, Datta, Roberts, Insaldo, etc.) Integrate resources for standardized/non standardized assessment of aphasia in multiple languages , i.e., Bilingual Aphasia Test Explore and discuss role of culture on language, cognition and language breakdown Invite guest speakers to address bilingual assessment/treatment Teach explicitly about Advocacy. How would advocacy activities differ across cultures?; Incorporate assignments such as developing a PSA or “aphasia friendly” resource Facilitate Student Research related to Aphasia Awareness in other Countries Conduct Interdisciplinary Research to Increase Aphasia Awareness i.e., Scullion, Mahendra, Ituarte 2011; Code et al., 2009) Develop International Collaborations via Social Networking Sharing of Resources/Projects i.e., Emergency Responder Training/Aphasia Friendly Businesses Infusing Aphasia Advocacy and Global Outreach Into An Academic Curriculum Founded in 1987, NAA is a consumer-focused, nonprofit organization that promotes public education, research, rehabilitation and support services to assist people with aphasia and their families. Our mission is to promote universal awareness and understanding of aphasia and provide support to all persons with aphasia, their families and caregivers. Resources include: Website www.aphasia.org NAA Hotline (800-922-4622) NAA National Registry of Aphasia Support Groups and Affiliates throughout the U.S. The Aphasia Handbook: A Guide for Stroke and Brain Injury Survivors and Their Families Free Information Packet Aphasia Awareness Training Program for Emergency Responders Aphasia Friendly Business Program National Aphasia Awareness Month in June Annual Regional Conferences Multicultural Task Force The MTF's mission includes the following goals: 1. To bring together the input from a multidisciplinary cohort of researchers and practitioners as well as people with aphasia to clinical practices. 2. To link research on aphasia in different languages and in individuals from different cultures to clinical practices. 3. To bring together the input from both national and international researchers and practitioners. 4. To collect and disseminate literature on aphasia in different languages and in individuals from different cultures among researchers, practitioners, and people with aphasia. 5. To be an active resource center for the national and international public. Creation of MTF web page Recruitment of multicultural state representatives Fostering the creation of multicultural support groups Newsletter articles on multicultural topics Translation of NAA brochure into Spanish, Greek, Chinese, Tamil, Portuguese, Hebrew, Korean , Russian, French, Creole, Malaysian, and Arabic Created subcommittees for Language Bank and Outreach Plan Collaboration with related organizations and outreach to international aphasia community Received ASHA Multicultural Project Grant for Sigo Siendo Yo! Aphasia Film Project for Hispanic Persons with Aphasia The National Aphasia Association: Who We Are? " !" Sigo Siendo Yo ! Global Cultural Consistencies and Inconsistencies Foster SLP Daily Growth - thinks globally even when living locally Social/ Economic Boundaries Political/Religious Differences Linguistic Differences View of Healthcare; Perception of Illness Ethical Codes Allocation and Use of Resources i.e., handmade, non-validated materials when none exist in a language/country; Is translation appropriate? Is adaptation needed? • Involving Students in Active Planning and Learning i.e., practicum abroad Tele-Supervision/ Distance Learning Impairment/ Activity/Participation from perspective of multilingual client or student Aphasia United is an umbrella organization for aphasia. We represent the collective voices of existing aphasia organizations and seek to drive change through a global strategic direction and vision. We will work in partnership with aphasia organizations to achieve change by: Increasing the visibility of people living with aphasia and the clinicians and researchers who work to support them. Representing the aphasia community globally. Creating formal global networks that connect people living with aphasia, clinicians and researchers. Setting a global research agenda. Encouraging best standards of practice in aphasia care. MTF Accomplishments: " igo Siendo Yo ! Thinking Global Partnerships: The Road to Cultural Competence Foster Accountability Different Interpretations of Diagnostic/Treatment Profile Future Directions- Aphasia United The mission of the NAA's Multicultural Task Force (MTF) is to enhance the understanding and intervention of aphasia and its consequences in different linguistic and sociocultural environments. !