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Students from the Jackson State University Communicative Disorders Department participated in the annual Legislative Day at the Mississippi Capitol held recently in collaboration with the Mississippi Speech-Language Hearing Association (MSHA) and the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) for students in the profession of speech-language pathology and audiology.
Five JSU students, along with those from various other universities, were selected to participate in the 22 student-selected event on Jan. 12. Communicative Disorders Department chair Dr. Brandi Newkirk-Turner said students were able to screen more than 70 hearings by legislators and staff, tour the House floor, attend House and Senate sessions, be recognized from the floor and have lunch with lobbyist and GOP Rep. Steve Massengill of the 13th District.
One participant from JSU was first-year communicative disorders student and NSSLHA liaison Emily Warner, who said Legislative Day allowed them to understand “the stages that bills go through in order to be passed and that student advocacy for speech-language pathology is extremely vital.” As well, Warner said she learned that hearing aids are not covered by insurance – although some lawmakers are working to pass a bill that would provide coverage to patients from infants to age 21.
Assistant professor and NSSHLA adviser Whitney Perkins said, “I believe that students see the importance of advocating in our profession. I think the students gained understanding of the process of passing a bill and also what it takes on our part to help the bill pass. The people they interacted with at Legislative Day are the same people that can make a difference in our profession.”