RADFORD, Va., July 20 -- Radford University issued the following news release:

Each morning this summer, Ayah Ibrahim loaded her four children into the car and made the drive from Botetourt County to Radford University.



Her daughter, Amelie Burpee, participates in Radford University's RiteCare Summer Program through the Radford University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic. After seeing significant growth during last year's program, returning this year was an easy decision.



Finding consistent speech-language services has not always been easy, Ibrahim said.

"Availability has to precede access and affordability," she said.



For families living in rural communities, specialized services can be difficult to find close to home. Ibrahim lea...