Spilling the Intersectionali-Tea: Holistic and Affirming Voice and Communication

This course, led by a Punjabi-American, trans non-binary, queer and neurodivergent voice professional, Interweaves lived experience expertise and allied health-driven evidence based practices in its exploration of what it means to be both holistic and affirming in our provision of voice and communication services as SLPs. Individuals who are People of the Global Majority (Black or Brown of varied ethnocultural and linguistic backgrounds), neurodivergent, disabled, LGBTQIA+ and particularly of Trans communities, deserve and benefit from client-centered, functional and trauma-informed lenses. While many continuing education opportunities discuss theoretical backgrounds and overviews for more equitable service provision, this course expects attendees to have an introductory understanding of antiracism, gender diversity and inclusivity, and disability justice education. This course discusses a framework to guide the clinician in making holistic and affirming choices throughout the episode of voice and communication care. While this course could not possibly cover all vulnerable population examples, it strives to offer an accessible approach to authentically centering client’s needs given possible intersectional considerations.

Presenters

Ruchi Kapila
M.S., CCC-SLP
Ruchi Kapila, MS, CCC-SLP, NCVS trained vocologist (they/she) is owner of Kapila Voice and Speech Services on unceded Muwekma Ohlone territory (see https://www.muwekma.org/)in Hayward, CA, providing voice and communication services with a gender-inclusive lens as a speech-language pathologist and singing voice specialist. Mx. Kapila also teaches singing voice in their private studio. They frequently present, publish, and educate nationally on gender-affirming voice care and intersectional cultural responsiveness within the SLP field. She also serves as a founding member of Trans Voice Initiative, board member for the newly-formed Disability Caucus, and officer and parliamentarian for L’GASP (LGBTQ+ Caucus of ASHA). In addition, they serve as a lecturer at Cal State University - East Bay Speech, Language, and Hearing Science (SLHS) department and work in home health settings with adults following an extensive acute rehabilitation and acute care hospital background.

Learning Objectives

Describe at least 3 guiding principles of providing holistic and affirming voice and communication services.
Demonstrate at least 3 approaches to facilitating accessibility for voice and communication strategies.
Apply trauma-informed principles for 3 functional examples across evaluation, intervention, and discharge for voice and communication.

Agenda

5 minutes	Presenter Introduction and Disclosures
5 minutes	Discussing Intersectionality Primer Resources
10 minutes	A Holistic and Affirming Framework for Voice and Communication
30 minutes	Application of Trauma-Informed Considerations for Case Scenarios
10 minutes	Future Directions and Takeaways

Disclosures

Speakers - Financial	Royalties: I am paid content contributor for CREDIT Institute and receive royalties. Consulting Fees: I offer peer/colleague consultation in the area of voice, especially gender affirming voice care. Owner or Co-Owner: I am owner and sole proprietor of Kapila Voice and Speech Services. Employed by Cal State University - East Bay as a lecturer. Ruchi is receiving compensation for this course
Speakers - Nonfinancial	Advisory: Volunteer founding member and organizer for Trans Voice Initiative. Parliamentarian for L’GASP. Board member and researcher role for the Disability Caucus.
Course - Content	Ruchi has no additional content information to disclose.
Course - Financial Support & In Kind	This course is being sponsored by SLP Toolkit and Having Our Say.

ASHA

This course is offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs, Intermediate Level, Professional Area, Professional Area