Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Communication Therapy International (CTI) exists to share knowledge and critical thinking to improve the quality and impact of collaborative working relationships between Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) in High-Income Countries and people they collaborate with in Low and Middle-Income Country (LMIC), including:

  • SLTs
  • Other communication disability professionals
  • Development and humanitarian agencies
  • Organisations of People with Disabilities (OPDs/ DPOs)
  • Service users.

We are committed to anti-racist, anti-oppressive practice, that supports peace and collaboration. We recognise the need for increased awareness and understanding of the intersectionality of racism with other characteristics.

We therefore seek to understand each unique individual and community, to ensure that the services that CTI supports, are accessible to all. We strive to be sensitive to the following list of characteristics and identities:

  • Age
  • Gender
  • Sexuality
  • Disability status
  • Educational status
  • Geographical location
  • Urban/rural
  • Socio economic status
  • Religion
  • Language/s spoken
  • Ethnicity
  • Neurodiversity
  • History (social and historical)
  • Clans
  • Tribal groups
  • Political beliefs
  • Caring responsibilities

This list is not exhaustive. We recognise the significance, importance and contributions of our counterparts in formerly colonised countries, in leading the decolonisation of SLT training curricula, research and working practices, particularly in LMICs. As we work with colleagues in LMICs, we are striving to ensure our materials, resources and knowledge reflect the diversity of our sector and shared value base.

We aim to be inclusive and accessible in our work, to recognise to champion diversity, promote and practise allyship, to reduce discrimination and unconscious bias within the organisation.

To this end, we resolve to:

  • Continually educate ourselves
  • To evaluate critically the working practices of CTI
  • To look critically at the diversity of CTI’s membership and leadership, and how we can better increase it
  • We will signpost and liaise with Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and other organisations, where appropriate.