CHAT is a nonprofit that believes in accessible, inclusive services to help anyone communicate, regardless of their socio-economic status or any other demographic factor. We are committed to providing services that address the depth and breadth of communication needs, from articulation and language to our newest practice area, voice and communication change for transgender/gender non-conforming (GNC) individuals. As COVID-19 widens the already-existing equity gaps that disadvantage our most marginalized families, our work becomes even more critical.
As the only nonprofit dedicated to speech and language services in greater Chicagoland, what makes us so different is our commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Within our organization, we continually ask ourselves how we are personally, professionally, and operationally embodying these values. This continual self-assessment allows us to authentically provide our services to the broader community from a shared sense of equity and justice. These principles extend into everything we do, from the way we stay informed and proactive about existing and emerging issues of equity related to our field; to the use of culturally competent, inclusive language in communications; to the ways we engage in community outreach to build partnerships with values-aligned organizations, and so much more. CHAT makes change in the world by bridging the gaps of inequity through our services; we cultivate relationships with our employees, clients/students, and the wider community that are rooted in collective values of equity and inclusion. CHAT is committed to meeting our clients where they’re at—providing life changing speech therapy to our students and clients in the ways and places that serve them best. In light of COVID-19, this has required a 100% pivot to teletherapy services. If you can help us support more families in need in this transition, please donate today.