Aphasia Access

AphasiaAccess seeks to provide cooperative exchange of programming knowledge, research collaboration, and best practices in governance, fundraising, and promotion to further the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia.

We are actively engaged in a number of strategies towards our goals.

- Online Presence: we continue to expand and enhance our website, AphasiaAccess.org, to create a meaningful knowledge exchange amongst members of our community and give members the opportunity to have a supportive dialogue with colleagues worldwide.

- Speakers Series: Aphasia Access hosts three distinct speakers series (Distinguished Speakers, Virtual Brag & Steal, Public Town Hall) designed to foster knowledge sharing and dialogue on key issues of the day and to foster new collaborations amongst members.

- Podcast Series: Aphasia Access Conversations has now published nearly 70 episodes (April 2021) in its ongoing dialogue with thought leaders and front-line clinicians making an impact in aphasia care.

- Tavistock Trust for Aphasia Distinguished Scholar in the United States: Aphasia Access supports the work of the UK-based Tavistock Trust for Aphasia by administering a special award focused on recognizing and growing the work of aphasia researchers who are in the early stages of their career.

- International Partner: Aphasia Access has been selected to host the prestigious International Aphasia Research Conference (IARC) which will be held in Philadelphia, PA in June 2022.

Aphasia Access capabilities start with a robust board and committee structure that includes over 50 active professionals in care. This group of volunteers conceives, strategies, and implements the major initiatives of the organization. Supporting this committed group of volunteers is a management team that has been with the organization since its inception, resulting in a collaboration that is rooted is shared goals and objectives along with mutual trust to carry out each other's part in the organization's success.

April 2011. Inaugural gathering of LPAA aphasia leaders at the Adler Aphasia

Center, Maywood, NJ.

 April 2013. Aphasia Center West Texas hosts aphasia community program

leaders from 15 U.S. cities and two Canadian in Midland Texas. Decision made

to officially create a North American resource for LPAA providers.

 Summer 2013. Organizational name decided and founding board of directors

elected.

 January 2014. Board Strategic Planning Retreat held.

 March 2014. Founders join working committees: Education & Research,

Membership & Communications, Governance, and Finance & Development.

 June 2014 AphasiaAccess database created.

 July 2014. $60,000 total 3-year Abell-Hanger Foundation challenge grant.

 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status achieved.

 August 2014. Executive Director hired.

 October 2014. Website, Membership Offerings, and Leadership Summit

Registration launch.

 November 2014. Educational series production begins (if funded)

 March 14-15, 2015. AphasiaAccess Leadership Summit held at Boston

University.

Building on the Information Above which was shared during our initial filing with Guidestar, other highlights of the organization to date have included:

Membership: The organization has grown from approximately 200 at its inception to over 400 in 2021.

Leadership Summit: Aphasia Access has hosted a successful leadership Summit in 2017 (Orlando, Florida), 2019 (Baltimore, MD), and 2021 (virtual, due to COVID-19). The attendance has grown at each subsequent Summit, surpassing 300 in 2021.

Teach-In: In 2020, Aphasia Access held a 24 virtual global teach-in bringing together 58 presentations (71 presenters) for a full day (including overnight) of continuous programming. Participation was over 200 with more than 10 countries represented.

Podcast Series: The Aphasia Access Conversations Podcast series has delivered nearly 70 episodes (April 2021) and had over 70,000 downloads to date. The series shares conversations with leading researchers and clinicians on the front lines of aphasia care on topics of key importance.

Medicare: Aphasia Access spoke out in light of potential Medicare reimbursement changes which would have negatively impacted Aphasia Access, advocating on behalf of the organization to ASHA and collaboratively to key agencies within the Federal Government.