05/13/2026
š¬āØ Everyone has a voice, but not everyone has access.
š A big part of our work as Speech Therapists is making sure they do. May is Speech & Hearing Monthā¦(my favourite month) and itās always a time that makes me pause and reflect.
š
As an SLP, Iām constantly reminded how powerful communication really is, and how much our role matters in creating access in our communities.
At the recent national Speech Language & Audiology Conference (SAC), one idea really stuck with me: access changes everythingā¦.. And I see that play out every day.
ā¤ļøAccess isnāt just about services. Itās about feeling seen and understood. Communication isnāt one-size-fits-allāit might look like speech, AAC, gestures, visuals, or something else entirely. But every attempt is effort, and when that effort is recognized, thatās when progress can begin.
šOne experience thatās stayed with me over the past while was working with a university student recovering from a mild brain injury. On the outside, everything looked āfine,ā but he described living in a constant cognitive fog. When he felt truly understood, something shiftedā¦ and slowly, communication started to feel possible againāand eventually, he began to succeed again in both daily life and his exams.
āØItās a reminder I come back to often: effort does not equal ability. So many people are working incredibly hard in environments that donāt match how they think, learn, or communicate. When we slow down and really listen, we create space for dignity, connection, and meaningful expression.
š² Iām so proud of the work happening across our Speech Language Network teamāsupporting clients across the lifespan and expanding access, including in northern communities.
šIām also honoured to be part of launching the new Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) program at the University of Saskatchewan this fall (2026). A long-awaited step forward to improve access, train strong clinicians, and support more integrated care.
ā¤ļøTo the clients, families, and communities we work with, thank you for trusting us ....
Kara
š¬š Speech & Hearing Month is a reminder that communication is more than wordsā¦ itās connection, identity, and possibility.
