Spanish-English Bilingual Project 

Proyecto Bilingüe Español-Inglés

Working towards better service for Spanish-English speakers with brain injury

In the U.S., the number of people who speak two languages has doubled since 1980, with Spanish-English bilingual speakers being the largest group. Our goal is to improve services for Spanish-English speaking adults who need to see a Speech-Language Pathologist due to brain injury. We are developing language assessments to more accurately diagnose conditions such as aphasia and dementia. We aim to improve access to speech-language therapy services for bilingual speakers and reduce health disparities with our research.

You can help - we're recruiting people with and without brain injury

If you are a person who fluently speaks English and Spanish, you can help us meet our goal. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I participate?

By participating in this research project, you will contribute important information on how fluent bilingual Spanish-English speakers use their languages. This in turn, will help to develop accurate assessments and reduce health disparities for minorities. 

Is my information safe? Will my participation be confidential?

All of your personal information is securely stored according to research guidelines at the University of Maryland. Any identifying information that is gathered will be de-identified (your name replaced by a code) and stored in password protected locations. We do not share your name or contact information with others unless required by law.

Do I need to meet in person?

No, if you have access to a computer, the internet, and a quiet space, we can test you online. You may also meet us at a public location such as a library for participation. If you prefer an in-person visit to our research facility, we can discuss options with you. 

How long is the study? Will I be paid?

We will first speak with you on the phone to determine eligibility (~30-35 minutes). If you are not eligible for the study, there will be no payment involved. Eligible participants will complete about 5 hours of testing spread over multiple sessions. You will be paid $100 at the completion of your participation.

Can I tell my friends and family?

Yes, we welcome your assistance in informing others about this study. Please ask us for brochures. If you have their permission, you can provide us with the contact information of others who might wish to participate.

Book an appointment

Select a 30 minute slot for the initial phone call for eligibility (this part is not paid). 

If you have already had your initial phone call, please select a 2-hour slot for the first testing appointment.

This project is funded by the National Institutes of Health grant R21DC018916A to Dr. Yasmeen Faroqi-Shah at the University of Maryland's Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences. This project is approved by University of Maryland's Institutional Review Board, #1726372