ABOUT THIS PROJECT

Communication is connection, identity and belonging. Since 2017, the University of Delaware Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic’s Aphasia Groups have grown from a once-monthly coffee house-style conversation group into a thriving community offering twice weekly conversation groups and activities, including games and a movie club. All programs are free of charge, creating ongoing opportunities for people with aphasia to communicate, participate and build meaningful social connections. Our Aphasia Groups empower individuals with communication challenges to fully engage in life, expanding beyond traditional therapy. 

In 2025, programming was expanded with a half-day Aphasia Retreat, bringing together people with aphasia and their caregivers for activities that promote communication, participation in everyday life and connection to others who share similar experiences. 

These programs also serve as a powerful learning community for our graduate student clinicians, who co-lead groups alongside experienced clinical educators. Each year, approximately 25 graduate students gain hands-on experience delivering person-centered, compassionate, and culturally responsive care. Students honor individual identity and authentic communication while developing clinical skills needed to become thoughtful and inclusive speech-language pathologists. 

Today, the program offers more than 90 meetings each year, serves more than 50 active members and welcomes approximately 10 new participants annually. Weekly groups average 15 participants with attendance reaching as high as 26 people with aphasia in a single gathering. Since the program began, approximately 100 individuals have participated. 

More than a clinical program, this is a community where people with aphasia are heard, valued and connected, and where future clinicians learn to ensure that every person has a voice and a place to belong. 

THE IMPACT OF YOUR SUPPORT 

Your gift helps ensure that people with aphasia can communicate, connect and belong without financial barriers to participation. Your support provides staffing to expand access and program continuity, adaptive communication tools and supplies for hands-on participation and food and hospitality to foster social connection and community. 

At the same time, your support strengthens the education of future speech-language pathologists, giving graduate student clinicians meaningful opportunities to develop inclusive, person-centered care alongside experienced clinical educators. Every gift helps build confidence, connection and quality of life for people with aphasia while preparing future clinicians to make a lasting impact on the lives of people with communication differences.