Our Right To Vote

My name is Niko Tax, and I live in Tucson, Arizona. I had sat alone in my head for many years. My mind does not communicate with my body; I have never been able to speak.

I began to communicate by spelling letters on a letter board three years ago.
Typing gave me the freedom to be myself. I am here to speak my truth.

You are likely reading this blog because you are a non-speaker or you support non-speakers like me and my friends. Two issues are dear to my mind and need all the attention we can offer: our right to vote by mail, and our right to communication.

I have major concerns that the current administration will gut our ability to vote. Will you fight with us to secure our right to vote by mail and our right to communicate?

Voting by mail is the most pressing issue, so we can keep our voices in the conversation through the ballot. Mailing my ballot is the only way my body allows me to express my choice. Without a vote, we have no say in policy.

If you can vote, you must vote. If you already vote, it is time to take the next step and write your local and state representatives. Explain that our bodies do not always travel on command, but our minds are highly intelligent and can comprehend complicated policies, bills, and laws. Our views and opinions need to be included in the count. This is our country too.

I have a close group of friends who get together once a week to discuss the important things, as well as the fun, less important, stuff.  We call ourselves the Spelling Heroes. This past weekend we discussed mail-in-voting. The discussion led to the reasons we are each fighting for our right to vote.

These are our responses…

My friend Aulton shared “I vote to make my voice loud”.

Ashton echoed this with “Yes, we need to be loud about our rights.

My thoughts were, “Communication is a basic human right. All voices matter, even the silent ones.”

Ethan, who is not yet 18 and can’t yet vote, shared, “ I deserve my rights as much as anyone else.  The world will only change if we make our voices heard.”  Our voices will be heard if we all stick together.

Which brings me to my other issue: communication as a basic right. This is not a new concept. We provide sign language interpreters for the deaf, braille for the blind, and translate legal materials for those who use English as a second language. Needing support to communicate should not exclude you from a public education, shut you out of your own medical choices, or take away your voice or your right to vote. Non-speakers have brilliant voices trapped in broken bodies. We have a voice, and we have the right to be heard. Typing restores humanity to our lives. Everyone deserves a voice. Believe our voices.

The time is now! Sign up to vote! Deadlines are in early October. Check Vote.org for your states’ deadline. Strong voices must be combined for change to happen.