Collaborative Efforts to Address Hearing and Speech Disability Stigma: University of Maryland Delegation Visits SBAHS, College of Health Sciences

On Monday, 18th March, 2024, the School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences at the College of Health Sciences played host to a delegation from the University of Maryland, United States of America. The purpose of their visit was to explore collaboration opportunities, delve into issues surrounding hearing and speech disability stigma, and tour the facilities at SBAHS. Their visit is part of the Faculty’s Annual Study Abroad Program-Global Perspectives in Service-learning.

In her welcoming remarks, Dr. Awurama Owusu Ampadu, Head of the Department of Audiology, Speech and Language Therapy, extended a warm welcome to the University of Maryland delegation, emphasizing the significance of the partnership. She expressed optimism that the ensuing program would be enlightening, stimulating, and foster interactive exchanges.

Professor Samuel Antwi-Baffour, Dean of the School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, echoed Dr. Ampadu's sentiments, expressing keen interest in the collaboration and affirming the school's readiness to support such initiatives. He commended the efforts of the department and encouraged both institutions to engage in knowledge-sharing activities, emphasizing the potential for further collaboration.
Ms. Priscilla Keren-Tetteh, a Lecturer at the Department of Audiology, Speech, and Language Therapy, provided an overview of the Department's history, accredited programs, and enrollment figures. She outlined the department's long-term goal of establishing a sophisticated audiology, speech, and language center, along with short-term objectives such as offering short courses and conducting periodic medical screenings and outreaches.

Professor Eliza Akua Thompson, Assistant Clinical Professor and Team Lead of the University of Maryland delegation, expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended by the department during their visit. She pledged her support to ensure the growth and sustainability of the Audiology, Speech, and Language Therapy program, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration.

Ms. Breama Pope and Joi Kenner, students from the University of Maryland, delivered a presentation on hearing and speech disability stigma, highlighting the types and causes of disabilities and strategies to overcome associated stigma. They emphasized the role of education, sensitization campaigns, policy review, and community involvement in facilitating early interventions. They outlined the stigma associated with disabilities and possible ways to overcome it, such as, self-help strategies which includes rehabilitation service for people with communication disabilities in Ghana. According to Ms. Kenner, public health stigma associated with hearing and speech disability may prevent people from seeking help, social media isolation from certain groups, hinder public health efforts such as campaigns, sensitization, among others. She concluded by urging students and stakeholders to champion education and sensitization campaigns, review of policies and legislation and involvement of community leaders for people with hearing and speech disabilities for early interventions.

The program facilitated fruitful exchanges of knowledge and ideas between the University of Maryland delegation and the Department of Audiology, Speech, and Language Therapy, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing hearing and speech disability stigma.
Notable attendees at the event included the Dean of the School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, Professor Samuel Antwi-Baffour, Dr. Awurama Owusu Ampadu, Head of Department, Audiology, Speech and Language Therapy, Professor Eliza Akua Thompson, Lecture and team lead, University of Maryland, Ms. Priscilla Keren-Tetteh, Lecturer, Department of Audiology, Speech and Language Therapy, Ms. Caroline, programme moderator, and students of the University of Maryland and School of Biolmedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana.