ACAE prides itself on having the most sophisticated, interactive, and up-to-date electronic system for accreditation not only for audiology, but the electronic platform rivals any other discipline for seamless data entry, retrieval, interaction between reviewers and programs, and ability to update with minimal effort. 

So why hasn’t all this wonderful technology done away with the (historically dreaded) site visit? The site visit remains critical to the accreditation agency and the program, and if done correctly, does not need to be dreaded by either party. 

As members of the Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) Board, we often hear that one of the greatest challenges local SAA chapters and our student members face is incorporating advocacy into their daily and chapter activities. When students think about advocacy, it tends to be on a large scale. We envision pictures of students standing in front of the Capitol in Washington, DC. with their folders, clipboards, and leave-behinds.

The 2018 mid-term elections left a reshaped Congress, with nearly 100 new representatives and senators coming to Washington, DC. This much turnover has led to great opportunities for the Academy’s government relations department to build relationships with new members of Congress, many of whom have not held elected office before. The new class is the most diverse and the most educated in congressional history.

Twenty years ago, a group of Academy members came together to develop a certification that would serve audiologists by verifying credentials in an independent process that offers an alternative to the American Speech–Language–Hearing Association Certificate of Clinical Competence–Audiology. They developed a program of rigorous education and experience verification with strong continuing education requirements and called it Board Certified in Audiology, in recognition of the substantial requisites.