about osha

OUR Vision:

Oregon: a place where our professionals thrive; a place where all forms of communication and nourishment are valued.

OSHA Statement on scotus 2022

As a diverse community of speech-language pathologists and audiologists, we are once again reminded of how we truly are living in unprecedented times. Following the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization to overturn Roe v. Wade, many individuals are experiencing shock, confusion, and/or anxiety about this decision that delegates access to safe reproductive healthcare to individual state legislatures.

Oregon law continues to protect an individual’s right to access abortion and other reproductive healthcare services through the 2017 Reproductive Health Equity Act. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is reminding people that abortion remains legal in the state. Regardless of personal views on the subject, the ruling reflects the complexities of the issues and related outcomes. As an inclusive organization, we value and respect those who hold a variety of opinions as we work to ensure that we foster an environment of inclusivity with our words and actions. As healthcare providers that strive to provide person centered care across many settings, we acknowledge the impact and implications this historic moment of change will have on a national level.

As the Oregon Speech-Language and Hearing Association (OSHA), we are deeply concerned for people who will be subject to state laws that restrict access to comprehensive, evidence-based, safe reproductive healthcare services, especially among low income and historically marginalized people. The decision to overrule Roe v. Wade limits access to critical healthcare and will perpetuate health inequity in the United States, particularly to Black, Brown, and historically underrepresented communities. Access to any and all healthcare should not be limited by location, resources, bias, or the absence of care. As a state organization, we are committed to supporting our communities by approaching national issues with scientific inquiry and a lens that considers equity, diversity, and inclusion.

We acknowledge this issue is complex, complicated, and multi-faceted. It is OSHA’s mission, however, to promote quality services for individuals and communities through advocacy, education, collaboration, and leadership.

Sincerely,

OSHA Executive Board/In collaboration with the OSHA Racial Equity & Social Justice (RESJ) Committee

OSHA Statement on racism 2020

The Oregon Speech-Language and Hearing Association is committed to making our voices heard by loudly speaking out against racial injustice.  The senseless deaths of too many people of color, throughout history and still today, attests to the deeply ingrained racial prejudice and injustice that still exists in our communities.  We owe it to those individuals that we serve, our colleagues, students entering the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology, and our communities to be very clear in condemning all acts of violence against people of color. These actions represent a blatant disregard for the basic human rights of dignity, fairness, equality, and respect. 

Although we cannot change the past, we have the power within us to change the future by looking at our own racial biases and those within our workplace culture, policies and practices, then do what we do best, start a discussion that includes active listening. These conversations are not easy, but they are more important than ever.  Let us all speak up and become part of the solution.

Please visit our Shared Google Doc to find Resources on Anti-Racism