The Penn State Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic was awarded a five-year grant from the Parkinson Voice Project worth more than $280,000 in training, services, supplies, and equipment, the university announced last week.

SPEAK OUT! Therapy and Research Center will be used to provide therapy at no cost to people with Parkinson’s Disease to help them retain or rebuild their speech, along with reducing swallowing complications. SPEAK OUT!, a research-based speech therapy protocol, can minimize the risk of life-threatening swallowing complications.

Parkinson’s Disease is the fastest-growing neurological disorder and the second-most common brain disease in the United States. Ninety percent of people with this disease are at risk of losing their ability to speak, and the leading cause of death among people with Parkinson’s is swallowing complications.

Pennsylvanians will be able to receive in-person or online treatment from the Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic.

“We are excited and motivated to serve people with Parkinson’s in our community and state to improve their voice and quality of life,” clinic coordinator Anne Marie Kubat said.

The grant includes a variety of services and benefits, including education and training, therapy and research supplies, speech therapy workbooks, and educational materials for outreach and patients.

Penn State is one of 16 universities across the country to receive this grant as part of the Parkinson Voice Project’s Campaign to Reach America this year. Other universities include Arizona State University, the University of Nebraska, and the University of South Florida.