Call for Volunteers: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

The Academy is offering an exciting opportunity to join the new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. We invite members to volunteer to serve on this committee that is vital in the Academy’s pathway to institutional change for inclusion and increasing diverse representation in all levels of activity to strengthen our organization and profession.

The Academy is committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive professional home for all audiologists and future audiologists, as well as promoting equity in the audiology profession. The DEI Committee is responsible for ensuring continued progress toward the Academy’s vision of diversity, equity, and inclusion. To accomplish this, the committee will recommend priorities and initiatives, design and implement activities and resources, and serve as a resource and liaison to councils and committees to ensure that all Academy activities take into consideration diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The inaugural chair of the DEI Committee is Dr. Tony Joseph, a nationally recognized audiologist researcher, clinician, and educator who has served on the Academy Board of Directors and most recently served as chair of the Inclusion, Representation, and Equity Steering Group.

We are seeking volunteer members to join Dr. Joseph in launching the Academy DEI Committee and rolling out its charges, which include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Cultivate diversity, equity, and inclusion awareness skills.
• Coordinate across Academy committees and councils to promote diversity, inclusion, equity, and multicultural competencies.
• Identify priorities and initiatives for the Academy.
• Develop opportunities for increased engagement in organizational activities by audiologists from underrepresented groups.
• Cultivate a welcoming environment that values diversity of people and perspectives in approaching the activities of the DEI Committee.  

Volunteer terms will stagger from one- to three-year time periods to mitigate disruption to committee activities.

To apply for a volunteer appointment on the Academy DEI Committee, please fill out the application, which includes a brief statement of interest (not to exceed 150 words) to describe how you believe you might contribute to the aims of the committee.

The Academy hopes to assemble a diverse group of members from across the profession, including practitioners, clinical educators, researchers, industry representatives, and students.