Directory of Organizations
Audiology and Speech Pathology Services, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Director: Lucille B. Beck, Ph.D.
Public Information Contact: Cathy Greener
Address: VA Medical Center, 50 Irving Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20422
Voice: (202) 745-8578
Voice: (202) 745-8270
Fax: (202) 745-8579
E-mail: cathy.greener@va.gov
Internet: www.washingtondc.va.gov/departments/audiology.asp
Description:
Audiology and Speech Pathology Services of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides high-quality, comprehensive, state-of-the-art clinical services to eligible veterans. Diagnostic and treatment services are offered in a timely manner and in an environment that fosters respect, communication, and compassion. Audiology services include evaluation and treatment of hearing loss and tinnitus, along with assessment of balance problems and, in some locations, balance rehabilitation. Diagnostic auditory and vestibular assessment, provision of hearing aids and assistive and alerting devices, cochlear implant management, and auditory rehabilitation also are available. Speech pathology services include evaluation and treatment of speech, language, voice, and swallowing disorders.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Executive Director: Arlene A. Pietranton, Ph.D., C.A.E.
Public Information Contact: ASHA Action Center
Address: 2200 Research Boulevard, Rockville, MD, 20850
Voice: (301) 296-5700
Toll-free Voice: (800) 638-8255
TTY: (301) 296-5650
E-mail: actioncenter@asha.org
Internet: www.asha.org
Description:
The mission of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is to promote the interests of and provide the highest quality services for professionals in audiology, speech-language pathology, and speech and hearing science, and to advocate for people with communication disabilities. Holds annual conference; contact ASHA for date and location. Professional brochures/pamphlets, journals, and professional/consumer online publications are available. Some materials are available in Spanish.
Publications:
American Journal of Audiology
Frequency: semiannual
Type: journal
American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
Frequency: quarterly
Type: journal
American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
Frequency: quarterly
Type: journal
Advocure NF2, Inc.
Chairperson: Marie Drew
Treasurer: Cynthia Henrion
Address: P.O. Box 4118, Clearwater, FL, 33758-4118
E-mail: contact@advocurenf2.org
Internet: www.advocurenf2.org
Description:
Neurofibromatosis Type II (NF2) is a rare, genetic disease that causes tumors to grow throughout the brain and spinal cord, threatening hearing, vision, mobility, and even basic life functions such as swallowing. Advocure NF2, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) public charity and liaison group that advocates for the NF2 Crew (an online-based support community for patients and others) and the NF2 international community. Advocure NF2, Inc., monitors research and drug developments worldwide and works to expedite systemic therapy that may treat and possibly even cure NF2. Its website offers
information on understanding and living with NF2, research, and other resources. A quarterly newsletter is available online.
Publications:
NF2 Compass
Frequency: quarterly
Type: newsletter
Birth Defect Research for Children, Inc. (BDRC)
Executive Director: Betty Mekdeci
Address: 976 Lake Baldwin Lane, Suite 104, Orlando, FL, 32814
Voice: (407) 895-0802
E-mail: staff@birthdefects.org
Internet: www.birthdefects.org
Description:
Birth Defect Research for Children, Inc., (BDRC) provides parents and expectant parents with information about specific birth defects and their causes and treatments, support group referrals, and parent-matching services. BDRC also provides information about environmental exposures that may be associated with birth defects. To study these exposures further, BDRC sponsors the National Birth Defect Registry, an online research project that collects data on birth defects and prenatal/preconception exposures of both parents. A consumer newsletter, fact sheets, and other publications are available.
Publications:
Birth Defect News
Frequency: monthly
Type: e-mail newsletter
Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA)
President: Mary Sturm, M.D.
Public Information Contact: Kathy Hennessy
Address: 416 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15209
Voice: (412) 343-7102
E-mail: helpdesk@apraxia-kids.org
Internet: www.apraxia-kids.org
Description:
The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA) is the only national nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity representing the needs of children with apraxia and their families. CASANA’s goal is to provide credible, reliable, and comprehensive information on apraxia of speech in children. Guided by a professional advisory board of experts in childhood apraxia of speech, CASANA offers information and resources based on the current prevailing professional literature and expert opinion. CASANA raises awareness and provides online services, educational training, workshops for professionals and parents, and research support. Educational DVDs are available on topics that include an introduction to childhood apraxia of speech, treatment strategies, and ways to help children with apraxia practice speaking at home and in the community.
Publications:
Apraxia-KIDS Newsletter
Frequency: published bimonthly
Type: other
CHERAB Foundation
Founder: Lisa Geng
Address: P.O. Box 8524, Port St. Lucie , FL, 34985
Voice: (772) 335-5135
E-mail: help@cherab.org
Internet: www.cherab.org
/ www.apraxia.org
Description:
The CHERAB Foundation (CHERAB) is a worldwide nonprofit organization that helps individuals with speech and language delays and disorders through communication help, education, and research that is apraxia-based. Its area of emphasis is verbal and oral apraxia, which are severe neurologically based speech and language disorders that hinder children's ability to speak. The foundation is committed to assisting with the development of new therapeutic approaches to, and prevention and cure of, neurologically based speech disorders. CHERAB brings together parents and medical, research, and educational professionals to help give a voice to all. Sign up to receive updates at http://twitter.com/TheLateTalker.
Hear Me Foundation
Executive Director: Tamala Irish
Executive Director: Tamala Irish
Address: 4814 Woodstream Village Drive, Kingwood, TX, 77345
Voice: (281) 359-6725
Fax: (281) 361-9109
E-mail: info@hearmefoundation.org
E-mail: mirish4814@earthlink.net
Description:
The mission of the Hear Me Foundation is to promote positive life experiences via camp activities and year-round events primarily for oral-deaf and hard-of-hearing children, their siblings, and their families. The Hear Me Foundation provides families with the resources to learn specific skills necessary to monitor their child’s healthy development, including listening, speech, language, and emotional and socialization skills. The foundation also is a service provider for the Interactive Metronome, a training system to improve a child’s coordination, focus, and attention span. Holds annual meeting (Camp Hear Me); contact the Hear Me Foundation for date and location.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Director: James F. Battey, Jr., M.D., Ph.D.
Public Information Contact: Susan Dambrauskas, Chief, Office of Health Communication and Public Liaison
Address: Office of Health Communication and Public Liaison, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2320, Bethesda, MD, 20892-2320
Voice: (301) 496-7243
Toll-free Voice: (800) 241-1044
Toll-free TTY: (800) 241-1055
Fax: (301) 402-0018
E-mail: nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov
Internet: www.nidcd.nih.gov
/ www.noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov
Description:
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), one of the National Institutes of Health, supports and conducts research and research training on the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language. The NIDCD develops health information based on scientific discovery and disseminates it to the public. In October 2008, the NIDCD launched It's a Noisy Planet. Protect Their Hearing (www.noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov). This national campaign is designed to increase awareness among parents of youth ages 8 to 12 about the causes and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss. The NIDCD provides a toll-free telephone service through its information clearinghouse. Fact sheets, brochures, teaching curricula, and reports are available, with many in Spanish.
Publications:
Inside
Frequency: quarterly
Type: newsletter
NIDCD Resources Directory
Frequency: biannual
Type: print and online directory of organizations and their resources
NIDCD Resources Directory
Frequency: biannual
Type: print and online directory of organizations and their resources
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) Information Clearinghouse
Project Officer: Susan Dambrauskas
Project Manager: Charlotte Ball
Address: 1 Communication Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20892-3456
Toll-free Voice: (800) 241-1044
Toll-free TTY: (800) 241-1055
Fax: (301) 770-8977
E-mail: nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov
Internet: www.nidcd.nih.gov
Description:
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) Information Clearinghouse, a service of NIDCD, is a national resource center for health information on hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language for health professionals, patients, and the public.
National Cued Speech Association (NCSA), Deaf Children's Literacy Project
President: Shannon Howell
Executive Director: Marah Baltzell
Address: 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 190-713, Washington, DC, 20004
Toll-free Voice: (800) 459-3529
Toll-free TTY: (800) 459-3529
E-mail: info@cuedspeech.org
E-mail: president@cuedspeech.org
Internet: www.cuedspeech.org
Description:
The National Cued Speech Association (NCSA) and its Deaf Children's Literacy Project promote the effective use of cued speech for communication, language acquisition (in more than 50 languages), and literacy through the use of cued speech. NCSA provides education, awareness, and support for people with language, hearing, speech, and learning needs through publications, exhibits, family/professional learning vacations, and conferences. NCSA sets standards of cueing and certifies instructors of cued speech. Visit NCSA's bookstore for books, games, computer software, and more.
Publications:
On Cue
Frequency: triannual
Type: newsletter
United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC)
President: Patricia Ourand, M.S., CCC-SLP
Public Information Contact: Barbara Figueiredo, USSAAC Office Manager
Address: P.O. Box 1195, Burlingame, CA, 94011
Voice: (928) 585-8525
Fax: (410) 296-5710
E-mail: info@ussaac.org
Internet: www.USSAAC.org
Description:
The purposes of the United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC) are to enhance the communication effectiveness of people who can benefit from augmentative and alternative communication and to support the goals of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. USSAAC supports individuals in their right to communicate and participate fully in society; promotes public awareness; influences national and state public policy and legislation; disseminates legislative, regulatory, and funding information; facilitates high-quality service delivery; and promotes transdisciplinary professional education. Sponsors a conference every two years; visit the USSAAC website for date and location.
Publications:
SpeakUp
Frequency: triannual
Type: magazine
