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End Communication Discrimination

Spellers & Allies Campaign

Campaign Goal

#EndCommunicationDiscrimination is a nonspeaker-led campaign to increase public awareness about the issues spellers face in schools, employment, health care, and the justice system. We aim to bring change for nonspeakers in each of these areas. We will attain our goals by winning the hearts and minds of the general public and convincing thought leaders, ally organizations, and policymakers to give us a seat at the table on all issues that affect us.

campaign hashtags

#endcommunicationdiscrimination | #IASCyoutolisten | #NonspeakingDoesNotEqualNonthinking | #ECD | #CommunicationChoice | #CelebrateCommunicationDiversity | #spellersandallies | #iasc

We have started a social media campaign to reach out to organizations and thought leaders in need of education about nonspeakers and our communication needs. We also want to express our gratitude and highlight organizations that have supported spellers and their method of communication.

Here’s how it works!
Step #1: Download an #EndCommunicationDiscrimination sign HERE.
Step #2: Decide which organization(s) you feel need education about us and which ones you are planning to thank for their support.
Step # 3: Take photos of yourself facing the camera and holding the #EndCommunicationDiscrimination sign prominently visible while standing in front of the building or office of the organization you select. We want you to take these photos in front of offices and buildings in your local area that house organizations that you want to celebrate for their demonstrated actions in welcoming the use of letterboards and keyboards by nonspeakers. This is not intended to be used to honor people who are just nice to us. This is for organizations that actively engage in communication with you and accept your method of communication as authentic. In addition, please consider taking photos in front of the offices of organizations and thought leaders who would benefit from education about nonspeakers and our communication needs. For example, you might feel that your local pediatric group or disability advocacy group might benefit from learning about nonspeakers.

 

Take Action

Step #4: Send an email to a leader of the organizations you selected inviting them to:
Register to watch a Spellers and Allies Advocacy Network online webinar.
Watch this brief video written by one of our fellow nonspeakers, Gregory Tino.
Invite us to a meeting either on Zoom or in-person to discuss our concerns about [insert name of organization] on the topic of nonspeaking people. [For example: “I am requesting a meeting with Dr. Smith to discuss the medical school curriculum about nonspeaking autistics.” Or “ I am requesting a meeting with [insert name of disability organization] to discuss the needs of nonspeakers and how we can work together.” ]
Make sure you attach to your email the photo you took!
Be sure to copy Spellers and Allies Advocacy Network on the email you send to the organization you select to contact at spellers-allies@i-asc.org.

Step #5: Post your photo and the email you write on your social media using our #EndCommunicationDiscrimination and other campaign hashtags.

Step #6: Connect us to others in your community who you think would be receptive to hearing about us. We would like to meet with smaller groups in person or on Zoom and are also available to give a presentation to larger groups.

Learn More

  • HERE are complete instructions about how you can get involved
  • HERE is the #EndCommunicationDiscrimination campaign sign
  • HERE are a few examples of People/Places/organizations where you may want to take a photo and send a letter
  • HERE are examples of topics to discuss with local leaders.
  • HERE is a template for organizations in need of education.
  • HERE is a template to thank organizations for supporting us
  • HERE is a list of our hashtags to use when posting on social media
  • If you have any questions, please email us, and we would be happy to meet with you. spellers-allies@i-asc.org
  • Sign up for the monthly newsletter of the International Association for Spelling as Communication (I-ASC)
  • Follow the I-ASC on social media by clicking the icons at the bottom of our website.
Dispelling Common Myths about Nonspeakers
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End Communication Discrimination
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Inclusive Education for Nonspeakers
View campaign

The I-ASC Spellers & Allies Advocacy Network is a group of spellers and allies who advocate together around issues that concern nonspeaking people, such as agency, autonomy, and access. Through public education and advocacy campaigns, we seek to make real change for all nonspeaking people. The Spellers & Allies Advocacy Network welcomes nonspeaking, minimally speaking, and unreliably speaking adults above the age of 18. We welcome allies and anyone over 18 interested in becoming an ally to join us.

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