Aphasia Community Programs

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The Center for Aphasia Research and Treatment offers three different programs for community members living with aphasia. All programs offer the opportunity to communicate in a supportive environment.

• Thursday Aphasia Groups
• Aphasia Choir
• Supported Volunteer Program

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We offer a variety of aphasia community groups throughout the year. Groups are intended for people with aphasia to create a community, practice communication, meet others living with aphasia, share ideas, learn and have fun! 

Groups are made up of 8-10 individuals with aphasia and are facilitated by a Speech-Language Pathologist and trained volunteer. Note there is a fee associated with Thursday Aphasia Groups.

Our groups run on a quarterly basis, four times a year:

• Winter: January to March
• Spring: April to June
• Summer: July to September
• Fall: October to December

When: Groups meet on Thursdays.  

Where: Members can join via Zoom or in person at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, 355 East Erie Street, Chicago, IL. 60611. Virtual participants will receive the Zoom link upon registration.

Types of Groups:

• Conversation Group: This group provides an opportunity to talk about anything you want – what is happening in the world, politics, entertainment, hobbies, living with aphasia, etc. Members will listen, share, and get to know others with aphasia in a supportive environment.
• Book Club: Group members read or listen (via audiobook) to 2-3 assigned chapters each week and meet on Thursdays to discuss. Audiobooks, chapter summaries, and weekly worksheets are provided.
• Film Group: We offer a Film Group each winter. A theme is chosen for the quarter and a new film is discussed each week. Members can watch films independently or together on Tuesdays, and then meet for the Thursday group to discuss.

Register Now for Winter 2025 Aphasia Community Groups

Registration deadline is Friday, December 20, 2024.

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The Aphasia Choir is a free community choir/music group for individuals living with aphasia. No singing experience is necessary to join! We meet weekly to have fun singing old favorites and new songs suggested by members. You can sing along, harmonize, move, dance or simply enjoy the music.

• When: Every Tuesday at 11 am.  
• Where: Members can join via Zoom (you’ll mute your microphones while singing) or in person at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, 355 East Erie Street, Chicago, IL. 60611. Virtual participants will receive the Zoom link upon registration. 
• Cost: No cost

Register Now for Aphasia Choir

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The Supported Volunteer Program provides an opportunity for individuals living with aphasia to volunteer at local established sites with the support of a speech-language pathologist. The goal of the program is to help individuals with aphasia serve the greater community, practice communication skills and increase awareness of aphasia. 

Volunteers serve in pairs or small groups at local organizations (e.g., church meal programs, animal shelters). 

Volunteers must provide their own transportation to and from sites and regularly attend the agreed upon shifts. 

For more information, please email Rachel Hitch at rhitch@sralab.org or call 312.238.6163.

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Aphasia Community Programs are supported in part by a generous donation from John and Joan Wories. Read their story.

Interested in supporting our Aphasia Community Programs? Donate Here

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For more information about our Aphasia Community Programs, contact Elizabeth Salley at 312.238.6163 or esalley@sralab.org.