Aphasia awareness community workshops at WMU

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at Western Michigan University will host a community learning event designed to increase awareness and understanding of aphasia, a communication disorder that can affect speaking, understanding, reading and writing.

The Communication Access Ambassador Program will hold drop-in workshops from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, and Thursday, June 18, at 1000 Oakland Drive. Community members are invited to stop by for five to 10 minutes to learn practical strategies for creating more accessible and supportive conversations.

Aphasia often occurs following a stroke or brain injury and can impact a person's ability to communicate. The interactive workshop-style event will introduce simple communication techniques that promote inclusion and accessibility in everyday interactions.

"Our students and ACE clients are thrilled to take part in this community event during Aphasia Awareness Month,” said Allison Mezo, faculty specialist in the department of speech, language and hearing sciences. “Aphasia affects millions of people, yet it remains widely misunderstood, and this campaign is about changing that through education, advocacy and expanded resources. Everyone who stops by will leave with a card of aphasia facts and a communication board, so they're ready to support someone who may need visual communication access in the future.”

The event will be led by individuals living with aphasia alongside graduate students in speech-language pathology from WMU's Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences.

The Communication Access Ambassador Program is housed within the Unified Clinics in the College of Health and Human Services and aims to improve communication access and awareness throughout the community.

The event is supported in part by the PIO Instructional Development Grant through the Office of Faculty Development at Western Michigan University.