Models and frameworks of practice are important for shaping the thinking and rationales underlying decisions made and actions taken by speech pathologists in clinical practice. For example, transitions in conceptualisations of health and disability over the past three to four decades have influenced practice shifts from a focus on individual impairment under the medical model, to more work with communication partners and environments as prompted by the social and biopsychosocial models of practice. In addition to shifts in clinical practice, increased understandings of the role of social inequity in health and disability have contributed to an expansion of the speech pathology role to include health promotion and prevention at the population level. This includes greater emphasis on provision of capacity-building services, with aims to change social attitudes, biases, policies and procedures, as well as advocacy at the level of governments and global organisations.

Additionally, a newer discussion that has emerged over the past decade has been the role of human rights in speech pathology practice. Professional associations, including SPA, have declared a commitment to communication as a human right, and to a human rights model of practice. This conversation aligns with the broader social justice discussion within the profession, and the responsibility of speech pathologists to directly address social inequities. However, models and frameworks are only as useful as the conceptualisations and contexts through which they are applied.

This presentation will discuss the findings of a scoping review which aimed to explore the current conversation around speech pathology practice and human rights. The findings of the review sought to identify contemporary working definitions and conceptual interpretations of “human rights practice” within the field of speech pathology, and to clarify and summarise the current practice guidance for practitioners seeking to respond to human rights imperatives in their work.

Hersh, D. (2018). From individual to global: Human rights and aphasia. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 20(1), 39-43, DOI: 10.1080/17549507.2018.1397749

Martin, R. (2018). Just Sentences: Human rights to enable participation and equity for prisoners and all. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 20(1), 21-25, DOI: 10.1080/17549507.2018.1422024

McAllister, L., Carroll, C., Gillett-Swan, J., & McGill, N. (2023). Responsibilities of speech-language pathologists in supporting children’s rights: more than listening. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, 25(2), 70-75. 

McCormack, J., McLeod, S., Harrison, L. J., & Holliday, E. L. (2022). Drawing Talking: Listening to Children With Speech Sound Disorders. Language, Speech & Hearing Services in Schools, 53(3), 713–731.

McLeod, S. (2018). Communication rights: Fundamental human rights for all. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 20(1), 3-11, DOI: 10.1080/17549507.2018.1428687

Murphy, D., Lyons, R., Carroll, C., Caulfield, M., & de Paor, G. (2018). Communication as a human right: Citizenship, politics and the role of the speech-language pathologist. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 20(1), 16-20. 

Speech Pathology Australia (2020). Professional Standards for Speech Pathologists in Australia.

Watson, J. (2023). Stretching beyond our perceived boundaries: The role of speech-language pathology in realising autonomy through supported decision-making. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 25(3), 355-362.