Patient/Client Rights

Clients as consumers receiving audiology or speech-language pathology services have:

1. The RIGHT to be treated with dignity and respect;
2. The RIGHT that services be provided without regard to race or ethnicity, gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability;
3. The RIGHT to know the name and professional qualifications of the person or persons providing services;
4. The RIGHT to personal privacy and confidentiality of information to the extent permitted by law;
5. The RIGHT to know; in advance, the fees for services, regardless of the method of payment;
6. The RIGHT to receive a clear explanation of evaluation results, to be informed of potential or lack of potential improvement, and to express their choices of goals and methods of service delivery;
7. The RIGHT to accept or reject services to the extent permitted by law;
8. The RIGHT that services be provided in a timely and competent manner, which includes referral to other appropriate professional when necessary;
9. The RIGHT to present concerns about services and to be informed of procedures for seeking their resolution;
10. The RIGHT to accept or reject participation in teaching, research, or promotional activities;
11. The RIGHT, to the extent permitted by law, to review information contained in their records, to receive explanation of record entries upon request, and to request correction of inaccurate records;
12. The RIGHT to adequate notice of and reasons for discontinuation of services; an explanation of these reasons, in person, upon request; and referral to other providers if so requested.

These rights belong to the 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.

Reference: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.  (1994).  Model Bill of Rights for People Receiving Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology Services.