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What is Advocacy and Why Does It Matter?
Advocacy is defined as "the active support, recommendation, or pleading of a cause, policy, or group to influence decisions within political, economic, and social institutions."
While policy work can feel daunting, advocating for our clients and our profession is not only valuable—it’s necessary. Change requires many small actions. You might remember the classic Schoolhouse Rock! segment on how a bill becomes a law from your school days, but as adults, few of us spend much time thinking about how the legislative process impacts our daily clinical practice.
Let's explore how we can lend our voices to the field of speech-language pathology!
Where Do Our Voices Fit In?
Much of advocacy starts with a simple conversation—whether that’s with community members, colleagues, or elected officials.
The value of our work is undeniable, but we must take the initiative to highlight the issues that directly impact our practice and the individuals we serve. A great place to ground your understanding is by exploring ASHA’s Advocacy Center.
Where to Start?
Getting involved doesn't have to happen all at once. Here are a few simple ways to begin:
- Find Your Representatives: Visit your state’s general assembly directory (such as the Tennessee General Assembly Representative Search) to find out who represents your district.
- Track Relevant Legislation: Use state legislation portals—like Tennessee’s Advanced Bill Search—to search active bills using keywords related to healthcare, education, or therapy services.
- Get Involved Locally: Join your state association (like TAASLP) and consider volunteering on advocacy committees, participating in letter-writing campaigns, or attending a "Day on the Hill."
- Seek Mentorship: If you aren't sure how to take that first step, connect with advocacy leaders in your network and start asking questions!
Take Action Today!
You can make a difference right now in under five minutes. Use the ASHA Take Action Portal to send pre-formatted advocacy letters directly to your legislators.
At its core, advocacy starts with a willingness to say "yes" to meeting current needs. While stepping into this role can feel intimidating, staying open and eager to learn is what moves our profession forward. Start advocating today for yourself, your colleagues, and the clients who count on us!
-Hannah Collie M.S., CCC-SLP
Date
Share
What is Advocacy and Why Does It Matter?
Advocacy is defined as "the active support, recommendation, or pleading of a cause, policy, or group to influence decisions within political, economic, and social institutions."
While policy work can feel daunting, advocating for our clients and our profession is not only valuable—it’s necessary. Change requires many small actions. You might remember the classic Schoolhouse Rock! segment on how a bill becomes a law from your school days, but as adults, few of us spend much time thinking about how the legislative process impacts our daily clinical practice.
Let's explore how we can lend our voices to the field of speech-language pathology!
Where Do Our Voices Fit In?
Much of advocacy starts with a simple conversation—whether that’s with community members, colleagues, or elected officials.
The value of our work is undeniable, but we must take the initiative to highlight the issues that directly impact our practice and the individuals we serve. A great place to ground your understanding is by exploring ASHA’s Advocacy Center.
Where to Start?
Getting involved doesn't have to happen all at once. Here are a few simple ways to begin:
- Find Your Representatives: Visit your state’s general assembly directory (such as the Tennessee General Assembly Representative Search) to find out who represents your district.
- Track Relevant Legislation: Use state legislation portals—like Tennessee’s Advanced Bill Search—to search active bills using keywords related to healthcare, education, or therapy services.
- Get Involved Locally: Join your state association (like TAASLP) and consider volunteering on advocacy committees, participating in letter-writing campaigns, or attending a "Day on the Hill."
- Seek Mentorship: If you aren't sure how to take that first step, connect with advocacy leaders in your network and start asking questions!
Take Action Today!
You can make a difference right now in under five minutes. Use the ASHA Take Action Portal to send pre-formatted advocacy letters directly to your legislators.
At its core, advocacy starts with a willingness to say "yes" to meeting current needs. While stepping into this role can feel intimidating, staying open and eager to learn is what moves our profession forward. Start advocating today for yourself, your colleagues, and the clients who count on us!
-Hannah Collie M.S., CCC-SLP
