Cultural Safety and Responsiveness in Canadian Speech-Language Pathology Practices: How Far Have We Come?

This project explores how Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) services in Canada address the cultural and communication needs of Indigenous and other marginalized communities. Because communication is closely tied to culture, it is important that SLP services are respectful, culturally aware, and grounded in approaches that support diverse worldviews. However, it is not yet clear how well current SLP practices meet these needs or whether they provide care that feels culturally safe. This scoping review will examine existing research on culturally responsive SLP practices in Canada, including approaches such as cultural competence, humility, responsiveness, and cultural safety. By mapping what is known and identifying gaps, the project aims to support future research, clinical practice, and policy efforts that promote more equitable and culturally safe communication care.