Preliminary Validation of the Accent Impact Index, a Psychosocial Speaker-Centered Tool

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) 2026 Annual Convention, Indianapolis, IN Technical Session This session presents preliminary validation of the Accent Impact Index, a multidimensional self-report tool that captures the perceived foreign-language accent magnitude and its impact. Data has been collected from 97 speakers of a wide range of influencing languages (the sources of the accents) and target languages (in which the accents manifest). Validation includes McDonald’s omega and Exploratory Factor Analysis to evaluate internal structure, along with participant self-rating of their experiences across a wide range of communicative settings. Descriptive analyses highlight distinct patterns across cultural linguistic groups, demonstrating the Index’s sensitivity to diverse language experiences. Attendees will gain insights into speaker self-perception, sociolinguistic influences, and applications for culturally responsive practice.