Access to Speech-Language Pathology Services for African-American Clients with Aphasia: A Qualitative Study

The purpose of this article is to report the perceptions and experiences of family members of five African-American clients with aphasia as they accessed speech-language pathology services. Client or family responses to a survey and during a semi-structured, ethnographic interview revealed information on barriers and facilitators influencing access to speech therapy services. These data are part of a larger investigation into cultural and linguistic barriers that might influence racial and/or ethnic minority clients’ awareness of, access to, and utilization of speech-language pathology services. Results reveal the presence of distinct barriers and facilitators that can influence timely, sustained access to speech-language pathology services for African-American clients and their families. These data have critical implications for speech-language pathologists (SLPs), audiologists, and all healthcare providers.