Model Bill of Rights for People Receiving Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology Services
Relevant Paper
Task Force on Protection of Clients' Rights
About this Document
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This model bill of rights is an official statement of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) approved by the Legislative Council in 1993 (LC 26-93). This model bill provides guidance on the rights of people receiving audiology or speech-language pathology services, but is not an official standard of the Association. It was developed by the Task Force on Protection of Clients' Rights: Joseph A. Caniglia, Mary Pat Ciccariello, Charles C. Diggs (coordinator), Elizabeth Kennedy, Jean M. Lovrinic (1991–1993 vice president for governmental and social policies, monitoring vice president), and Seleria J. Williams.
Clients as consumers receiving audiology or speech-language pathology services have:
The Right to be treated with dignity and respect
The Right that services be provided without regard to race or ethnicity, gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability
The Right to know the name and professional qualifications of the person or persons providing services
The Right to personal privacy and confidentiality of information to the extent permitted by law
The Right to know, in advance, the fees for services, regardless of the method of payment
The Right to receive a clear explanation of evaluation results; to be informed of potential or lack of potential for improvement; and to express their choices of goals and methods of service delivery
The Right to accept or reject services to the extent permitted by law
The Right that services be provided in a timely and competent manner, which includes referral to other appropriate professionals when necessary
The Right to present concerns about services and to be informed of procedures for seeking their resolution
The Right to accept or reject participation in teaching, research, or promotional activities
The Right to the extent permitted by law, to review information contained in their records, to receive explanation of record entries on request, and to request correction of inaccurate records
The Right to adequate notice of and reasons for discontinuation of services; an explanation of these reasons, in person, on request; and referral to other providers if so requested
These rights belong to the person or persons needing services. For sound legal or medical reasons, a family member, guardian, or legal representative may exercise these rights on the person's behalf.
Index terms: ethics, patients' rights
Reference this material as: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (1993). Model bill of rights for people receiving audiology or speech-language pathology services [Relevant Paper]. Available from www.asha.org/policy.
© Copyright 1993 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association disclaims any liability to any party for the accuracy, completeness, or availability of these documents, or for any damages arising out of the use of the documents and any information they contain.
doi:10.1044/policy.RP1993-00197
