Washington Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Washington Speech-Language-Hearing Association (WSLHA) is an organization that promotes professional excellence in speech-language pathology and audiology.
Mission: Empowering and connecting current and future professionals through advocacy, education, and leadership development, to foster equitable, inclusive, and culturally respectful collaboration with our communities.
Vision: An engaged and thriving community empowered to enrich communication and quality of life for all.
WSLHA is an American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) recognized state association.
State Board of Health (SBOH) and Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Rule Information and Listening Sessions
The Washington State Board of Health (Board) and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) want your feedback on the rules for yearly hearing screenings in K-12 schools (chapter 2546-760 WAC).
In November and December, the Board and OSPI school health staff will host two online meetings to share proposed updates to the auditory screening rules. These meetings will give school nurses, hearing screening staff, organizations interested in hearing screenings, and parents a chance to share their opinions on the changes to the rules. The meetings are part of an effort to get input from people who care about school hearing screenings. Below are the dates and times for these upcoming meetings:
Thursday, November 21, 2024, from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 3:00-4:00 p.m.
The Board will provide American Sign Language (ASL) and Spanish interpretation during these webinars. We do this as part of our work towards increasing language access. Should you need additional accommodation or language services, please email molly.dinardo@sboh.wa.gov before the webinar dates.
These webinars will be open to the public. Meeting information is included below:
November 21, 2024
Zoom Link - Meeting ID: 884 8540 6476 mobile:12532050468,88485406476# US
December 4, 2024
Zoom Link - Meeting ID: 850 0239 6023 mobile: 12532158782,85002396023# US (Tacoma)
Auditory Screening Rules Survey
As part of an ongoing rulemaking project, the Washington State Board of Health staff have created a survey to learn more about K-12 hearing screening programs in schools. We want to hear from school staff responsible for completing these screenings or running the screening program for their school or school district. All responses will be anonymous, and the information you provide will help inform the current rulemaking on this topic. We anticipate this survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.
Please click to complete the survey: https://forms.office.com/g/1ZAi9WZHAv
If you have any questions or want to learn more about this rulemaking process, please contact Molly Dinardo at molly.dinardo@sboh.wa.gov.
Join Us for NSSLHA Events at ASHA!
We’re excited to share a lineup of engaging events and activities hosted by NSSLHA at the upcoming ASHA Convention in Seattle! This is a fantastic opportunity for students to connect, learn, and celebrate within our field.
NSSLHA Instagram Takeover
First Timers Welcome (Students). Wednesday December 5th 4:30-5:30. Seattle Convention Center Arch Building, Level 6, 606-607
Check out the NSSLHA Lounge
Selfie Station
Scheduled Meetups
Coffee and Cookies
Grad School Fair/PhD Center: Thursday December 5 and Friday December 6 10:00-1:00. Summit, Level 2, Booth 3415
NSSLHA Awards and Celebration: Thursday December 5, 7-9 PM Outlier, Seattle, honoring Dr. Michael Burns
NSSLHA Knowledge Quest: Thursday December 5 2:30-3:30 PM 800 Pike; Tahoma 3-4
NSSLHA Caring Square Takeover: Saturday December 7 12-1
WSLHA/UW/WWU/WSU/EWU Reception: Friday December 6: 8:30-10:00 Hyatt Regency Room 702
National NSSLHA Sessions at ASHA Convention:
Friday, December 6, 2024:
Strength in Numbers: Building Your Support System in the Field of CSD
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Men in ASHA, AAA, CAPCSD, NBASLH, and NSSLHA Collaborate to Elevate Gender Diversity
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Saturday, December 7, 2024:
From Rejected to Accepted: Elevating Your Application for Graduate School, Externships, and Clinical Placements
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
We encourage all students to participate in these enriching experiences. For more details, feel free to reach out or check the ASHA Convention website.
We can’t wait to see you in Seattle!
CR-103 Filed for WAC 246-828-991
ASLP-IC Fees Adopted
The Department of Health (department) in consultation with the Board of Hearing and Speech (board) filed WSR# 24-13-111 on June 20, 2024, a CR-103 rule package regarding WAC 246-828-991, adopting rules for Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) fees and renewal cycle. This rule will be effective on July 21, 2024, which is 31 days after filing of the CR-103.
Codified in chapter 18.35A RCW, is House Bill (HB) 1001 (chapter 53, Laws of 2023) entered Washington State into the ASLP-IC interstate compact for audiologists and speech-language pathologists and gave member states the discretion to charge a fee for granting compact privileges. Under the ASLP-IC, licensees who wish to practice in, but live outside of Washington, may obtain privilege to practice in Washington or any other participating member state. The purpose of entering into the ASLP-IC is to improve public access to audiology and speech-language pathology services.
The ASLP-IC is currently not accepting any applications but anticipate starting sometime in 2025. The adopted rule is needed to ensure the department is alignment with RCW 43.70.250, and chapter 18.35A, and to ensure that there is sufficient funding to recover the costs of issuing a license for compact privileges in Washington State.
Check Out WSLHA’s Research Corner!
WA Universities and students should contact WSLHA to collaborate on any future research opportunities.
*Can be accessed by WSLHA Membership through the Member Portal.
