Spellers & Allies
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 (ages 18-30) working to make acceptance and awareness a reality.
I-ASC initiated the Spellers & Allies Advocacy Network because we knew that we needed to build the I-ASC movement on relationships. We wanted all speaking allies to have a chance to have a conversation with a nonspeaker so that they knew who nonspeakers are and why this advocacy is so important. This is one of the ways that we make “nothing for us without us” a true tenet of I-ASC and our advocacy work. Unfortunately, in-depth conversations between nonspeaking people and speaking people of the same age group rarely happen. We want to work to change this. Here is a snapshot of these first conversations. Now you can get to know the members of the Spellers & Allies Advocacy Network and so that you can imagine a different world with us.
Since group members are located all across the world, our best way to communicate is via online meetings. We typically meet once or twice a month, depending on the need and on-going advocacy project. Our meetings take place on weekends. Once you sign up (see bottom of this page), you will receive email more information from us and notices for meetings.
Presume competence means to never underestimate the abilities of a nonspeaker by visualizing them as having an intellect. During the initial meetings and conversations in Spellers & Allies, spelling members repeatedly brought up how important presuming competence was to them and how they felt that people all around them continue not to presume competence. For this reason, we decided to launch an online meme campaign about presuming competence. Check out I-ASC’s social media pages Facebook and Instagram to share and like our memes. Do you have an idea for a meme? We would love to hear from you!
Are you a passionate nonspeaker or speaking ally who is dedicated to advocating and supporting issues that concern nonspeaking people? We would love to have you join us! All young adults between the ages of 18-30 are welcome- self advocates and allies! Please tell your young adult friends and family about our network and invite them to join. Contact Us or send Monica, our coordinator, an email at monica@i-asc.org.
Learn more about our network and important information before getting involved in our Orientation Handbook.
Not 18-30 and still passionate about advocacy, join I-ASC and let us know that you want to learn about ways to support the Spellers & Allies Advocacy Network as well as other I-ASC advocacy initiatives.
