National Black Association
for Speech-Language and Hearing
The symbol used in NBASLH's trade mark is from the
country of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). It means
:...reach out with the echo of understanding and
speak for all to hear"
ABOUT US
The National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing uses the acronym NBASLH which is pronounced “in bahz la” or /nbazle/.
History of
NBASLH
In December, 1977, an Ad Hoc Committee on association development was
established. The committee was composed of a number of Black Speech-Language
Pathologists and Audiologists from different parts of the country. The
Committee's first formal meeting was held at Howard University in Washington
D.C., on January 26, 1978. Their mission was to discuss:
1) the concept of a Black speech-language and hearing association
2) recommendations for implementing that concept
3) recommendations for appointing the Board of Directors and Executive Staff
The Association was incorporated in
Washington D.C., June 30, 1978. The committee wanted to
establish a viable mechanism through which the professional needs of the
Black professionals, students, and the communicatively handicapped community
could be met.
The first official meeting of the Board of Directors and Executive Staff of the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing (NBASLH) was held April 14-15, 1978 at the University of the District of Columbia.
It is important to note that the concept of a National organization for Black speech-language pathologists and audiologists was a new one. For several years prior to the incorporation of NBASLH, a number of people had spoken favorably of the need to establish such an organization. Indeed, it was attuned to the movement of other Black professionals such as physicians, dentists, lawyers, psychologists, social workers, accountants, and educators who had established organizations that focused primarily upon interests and concerns of Black professionals and students-in-training.
*Please note the term Black originally used in 1979 continues to be used by this organization to refer primarily to the populations in America having African ancestry.
Mission Statement
The mission of the National Black Association for Speech-Language and
Hearing is to maintain a viable mechanism through which the
needs of black professionals, students and individuals with communication
disorders can be met.
Vision Statement
The National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing is the
premier professional and scientific association addressing the communication
interests and concerns of black communication science and disorders
professionals, students and consumers. The association is the model for
other organizations addressing the concerns of diverse populations.
PURPOSES OF
NBASLH
1. PROMOTE an increase in the number of certified Black speech-language and
hearing professionals.
2. PROMOTE improvement in the quality of speech-language and hearing
services of the Black communicatively handicapped.
3. PROMOTE the research and development of a body of knowledge of the
identification, diagnosis, and treatment of the Black communicatively
handicapped.
4. SOLICIT and provide financial support for the training of Black students
in the fields of speech-language and hearing.
5. BE AN ADVOCATE for the Black communicatively handicapped at the local,
state, and national levels.
6. DISSEMINATE INFORMATION among the professions and to the public on
communication differences and disorders among Blacks.
NBASLH
Office, 700 McKnight Park Drive, Suite 708, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
412-366-1177 Fax 412-366-8804
NBASLH@nbaslh.org