Welcome to the Spellers and Allies Advocacy Network (Spellers & Allies)! We are thrilled to have you visit our site. We strive to advance the I-ASC mission of communication access for all nonspeaking, minimally and unreliably speaking people. We hope that you find our work enriching, informative and positive. We hope that you choose to join our ranks in solidarity as a self-advocate or ally.
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 interested in becoming an ally between the ages of 18-30.
Visit OUR INITIATIVES to learn about what the Spellers & Allies Advocacy Network is currently working on and to support our efforts to make real change for nonspeaking people.
Sarah Ackerman is a 27-year-old with autism and apraxia. She is proud to have been a member of the Spellers and Allies Advocacy Network since its inception.
Sarah loves to be a voice for those who are without spoken words. She cares deeply about helping nonspeakers and wants to ensure that they are represented and have access to communication.
Sarah has contributed to articles and blogs about representation and rights for nonspeakers. She has presented at panel discussions and has had her poetry published. When she is not doing advocacy work, she loves to read, participate in group discussions with other nonspeakers, and spend time with family.
Sarah is honored to be a part of the Spellers and Allies Advocacy Network. She is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such a great team of caring and dedicated individuals. She is looking forward to new and exciting events with the group in the coming year!
We know that true accessibility requires more acceptance and awareness in our communities at large and that young people are a strong voice in advocacy. I-ASC wishes to create a network of passionate and informed young people working to make acceptance and awareness a reality. Join our movement now by emailing spellers-allies@i-asc.org.