Strength in numbers.... CASLPA currently has more than 700 audiology members, making us the largest national professional association representing audiologists in Canada.

How membership with CASLPA benefits you:

A National Voice for Your Profession
Clinical Certification & Professional Standards
Advocacy and Lobbying
Public Awareness
Insurance Programs
Third Party Payers and Extended Health Benefit
Resources
Publications and communication
Research
Continuing Education
Awards
Discount Programs
Website

Join CASLPA

 

A National Voice for Your Profession
Representing audiology and speech-language pathology nationally…

• Vision - The Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists ... the national voice and recognized resource for speech-language pathology and audiology.
• Mission - The Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists…supporting and empowering our members to maximize the communication and hearing potential of the people of Canada.
  

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Clinical Certification & Professional Standards
Striving for excellence...

• Clinical certification is voluntary and is a status and benefit open to members of the association that many audiologists, employers and clients highly value. Clinically certified members of the association must be current members in good standing and be committed to meeting continuing education requirements.
• CASLPA's national professional code of ethics sets forth fundamental values, principles and standards to guide members' professional conduct and to help maintain public accountability and credibility.
• National professional scope of practice provides a description of the scope of practice for the profession of audiology, highlighting the broad range of services provided.
• CASLPA is a member of the Council on Accreditation for the Canadian University Programs in audiology and S-LP ensuring the quality of higher education and strengthening the educational preparation of audiologists and S-LPs.
  

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Advocacy and Lobbying
Projects and initiatives to advocate on your behalf…

• CASLPA is part of a national working group focused on improving the disability tax credit form/criteria for hearing loss. This group has met with MPs and participated in a press conference on Parliament Hill to advocate for fair access to the DTC by simplifying the terminology.
• A press conference on Parliament Hill launched CASLPA's position paper on Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (2010), advocating for access to hearing screening for all babies in Canada.
• CASLPA's lobbying efforts were instrumental in ensuring changes in regulations regarding a reduction in the maximum allowable decibel levels for toys. CASLPA appeared as a witness to the Health Committee to provide input into Bill C-6 (Consumer Product and Safety Act) on this issue. Members of Parliament are now very aware of the important role that audiologists play regarding hearing health.
• CASLPA is leading a Concerned about Classrooms Coalition to enhance the learning environment of students and vocal health of teachers through proposed amendments to the National Building Code. The role of speech-language pathologists and audiologists is featured in this advocacy effort.
• CASLPA attended a Liberal Roundtable entitled "the Health of Canadians; 2017" on January 29, 2010 on Parliament Hill hosted by Carolyn Bennett (Liberal Health Critic) and Kirsty Duncan (Liberal Public Health Critic) looking at health goals feedback on potential priorities for the Liberal party platform and was a key opportunity to talk about the importance of early identification of communication disorders (CASLPA's lobbying priority for 2010).
• CASLPA is a member of the Health Action Lobby (HEAL) with 37 other national health organizations who are currently advocating on the key area of health human resources.
• CASLPA is a member of the Canadian Coalition for Public Health in the 21st Century, the Mental Health Table and Group of 7 Health professions. All groups work collaboratively to impact federal policy. Through the G7 - key issues of human resources, access to services and education and training were brought forward to the Minister of Health.
• CASLPA members have access to advocacy and lobbying toolkits to assist with provincial/territorial or regional lobbying efforts. The tools can help members make contact with government officials to ensure key speech, language, swallowing and hearing issues are addressed.
  

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Public Awareness
Raising your profile...

• CASLPA developed a consumer website, speechandhearing.ca, designed to provide the public with quick and easy access to basic information and resources about communication and other related disorders. For individuals requiring the services of our professionals, this site can put them directly in touch with an expert through our "Find a Professional" database.
• Television, radio and print public service announcements featuring audiology raises awareness about the issues of speech, language and hearing disorders and to help direct those with communication problems, and their family and friends, to our national website and our network of members (to view ads click here).
• As part of CASLPA's physicians awareness campaign 50,000 growth charts and brochures of speech-language and hearing milestones were distributed to physicians and early childhood education centres nationwide (growth chart and brochure available on our website).
  

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Insurance Programs
Covering your interests...

• A large membership base allows CASLPA to negotiate the best possible rates for you on a variety of insurance packages including home and auto with TD Insurance Meloche Monnex and life and extended health with Manulife Financial.
  

Insurance

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Third Party Payers and Extended Healthcare Plans
Lobbying federal third party payers...

• CASLPA continues to work with the Federal Healthcare Partnership which includes Veterans Affairs Canada/Blue Cross Medavie, RCMP, DND and Health Canada (NIHB) in order to ensure that the audiology programs and services are meeting the needs of clients and the interests of audiologists. CASLPA hosts an annual meeting at the national conference thereby providing a continued forum for discussion of relevant issues and effecting change in these programs.
  

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Resources
Supporting you in your practice…

• CASLPA Position Papers keep you abreast of emerging issues and include Universal Newborn Hearing Screening, Cochlear Implants in Children, Professional Doctorate Degree in Audiology, , The Use of Telepractice for CASLPA Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology in the Multicultural, Multilingual Context.
• PowerPoint presentations were developed for school based audiologists and S-LPs and as well as those working with seniors which can be used by our members as a general information tool for a variety of audiences.
• Updated CASLPA information sheets (patient focused) are available on CASLPA's website.
• CASLPA is part of the Canadian Interorganizational Group for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology whose mandate is to coordinate the work of regulatory bodies, professional associations and universities on projects/activities of mutual benefit and interest for the betterment of the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology and to collaborate on the development of practice standards and guidelines. The Group has released its first national document, Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines, and is currently working on guidelines for auditory processing disorders.
• May Speech and Hearing Month materials including a May Month Marketing Kit are available on CASLPA's website. Materials include media release, publicity tips, celebration ideas, ad mats, public service announcements, assorted fact sheets and feature stories, poster, clip art sheet, photo gallery and much more.
  

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Publications and communication
Keeping you informed...

• CASLPA's professional quarterly journal, the Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (CJSLPA) publishes clinical, educational and research articles, clinical practice and technical notes, review of professional resources and commentaries on professional issues.
• Communiqué, CASLPA's quarterly newsletter, provides a forum for the exchange of information between CASLPA members.
• CommunE-cate, our monthly e-news bulletin, updates members on association news.
• Get all the latest news about CASLPA and the professions on

  Facebook: tinyurl.com/caslpaonfacebook
  Twitter: twitter.com/CASLPA
  YouTube: youtube.com/user/CASLPA
  

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Research
Supporting your profession...

• CASLPA surveyed its members in speech-language pathology, audiology, and supportive personnel self-identified in the membership database as working in the educational sector. In response to concerns expressed in membership surveys about poor working conditions and the lack of guidelines for members of our professions working in schools, CASLPA conducted a survey in February 2011 to gather information on working conditions in schools. The results of the survey led to recommendations for working conditions that members can use as guidelines. View the report on the CASLPA members only section of the website.
• With funding from Health Canada, CASLPA carried out a project from December 2010 to April 2011 to collect information on speech, language and hearing services for First Nations, Metis and Inuit Children. The project resulted in three reports which are available on the CASLPA website.
• CASLPA clinical research grants, available to members only, are awarded annually and support an increase in the clinical evidence base in the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology.
• The results of the 2008 salary & benefit survey were used to produce a report to inform audiologists about compensation trends in their sector and to help audiologists make comparisons with the salary and benefits level of their peers.
• CASLPA conducts a membership survey every three years. The results of the 2011 survey will be used by the CASLPA Board of Directors in developing the 2012-2014 strategic plan for the association.
• CASLPA's university survey is used as a resource for potential students seeking information on Canadian programs and used to monitor important trends that may affect the profession now and in the future.
• Inclusion in CIHI survey Canada's Health Care Providers Reference Guide, 2008. This document provides aggregate, supply-based trend information by province/territory and year for 24 health occupations in Canada including speech-language pathologists and audiologists.
• CASLPA Members can access links to relevant evidence based research in the Cochrane Collaboration.
  

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Continuing Education
Professional development and networking...

• The 2011 CASLPA conference is being held in Montreal, Québec from April 27 to April30. Several webcast sessions from previous CASLPA annual conferences are available on CASLPA's website
• CASLPA brings a world of learning to your fingertips with online learning opportunities.
• Check out monthly workshops and conferences on the "coming events" section of the CASLPA website.
  

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Awards
Recognizing your achievements and contribution to the profession...

• The CASLPA awards program annually honours deserving individuals in eleven categories. Recipients are presented with awards at the CASLPA banquet held during the annual CASLPA conference.
  

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Discount Programs
Offering you savings...

• CASLPA has signed partnership agreements with several companies (ASHA, Nelson Education Ltd., GoodLife Fitness, MBNA Canada and Hotel Management International) to provide you with significant savings and discounts.

Discounts

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www.caslpa.ca website
Providing you easy access to information...

• CASLPA maintains a first class website offering you features such as a chat room to post and answer questions, a career advertising section, and a members only section with resources including a national membership directory, progress reports on CASLPA initiatives, the annual report and electronic copies of publications.

 

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