Spring into Action at Spring into Spelling

I-ASC works with nonspeaking people with various motor-sensory issues that affect the ability to use speech as a primary and effective means of communication. There are an estimated 2.3 million nonspeaking individuals in the US and 26 million nonspeaking people worldwide. Nonspeaking people have been marginalized, labeled “low-functioning” and given limited communication and education opportunities. THIS MUST CHANGE! 

“S2C GAVE ME A MEANINGFUL LIFE. I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL TO EV, I-ASC AND GKTC STAFF FOR BELIEVING IN ME. I AM SMART AND NOW I CAN TELL THE WORLD. PLEASE GIVE.”

~Joel Nyland, Nonspeaker & Autism Advocate, WA

We strive to solve these problems by 

• Providing free educational content for spellers, families, practitioners and the greater community. 
• Rigorously training highly skilled S2C Practitioners to work with the nonspeaking people and their families.
• Standardizing and creating affordable training for CRPs (Communication Regulation Partners).
• Elevating the roles, contribution and advocacy of the Spellers & Allies Advocacy Network and Nonspeaking Leadership Cadre. 
• Collaborating with researchers to advance an understanding of the motor, sensory, cognitive, regulation, and communication for nonspeaking people.

“I couldn’t ask for a better form of communication, having S2C in my life has exponentially made it better in all aspects. Getting to express my deepest thoughts using a letter board is something I never imagined.”

~Anshil Kumar, Speller & Autism Advocate, Orlando, FL

As the spellerverse is ever expanding, the work never stops, and your help is needed. We believe, as everyone should, communication is a fundamental human right. We are at the precipice of public support and acceptance for spelling as communication as evidenced by the incredible expansion of S2C worldwide. With communication, nonspeaking kids and adults can participate in meaningful education, develop deep relationships with family and friends, and live full, rich lives. 

” Spelling to communicate has changed my life for better. Now I can pursue my dream of getting an education and going to college. I can share my thoughts and feelings with my friends and family. I hope that every nonspeaking autistic person can access means of communication that works for them. I want everyone to see that nonspeaking people can be intelligent and smart.”
~Divyesh Jain, I-ASC Nonspeaking Leadership Council, FL

This May 19th, we will host “Spring into Spelling,” Benefit for Communication Access at 7 pm ET. This exciting virtual event will be a fun-filled evening celebrating the nonspeaking community. The night will include a heart-pumping live auction, awards, entertainment, and uplifting stories of success from the nonspeaking community. Purchase a raffle ticket for your chance to win a Dream Vacation! You don’t want to miss this spectacular event, register now! 

We will be honoring this year’s Community Partner Award winner, Neuroclastic.  The Community Partner Award recognizes and celebrates the allies and advocates that work on behalf of the nonspeaking community to further the practices of access, agency, and autonomy. Neuroclastic has been a phenomenal community partner, centering and amplifying nonspeaking voices, educating the greater neurodiverse and neurotypical world about the recognition and inclusion of nonspeaking people, and celebrating neurodiversity in their professional and personal lives.

“My autism used to be a prison that kept all of my thoughts and feelings inside taking away my freedom to be me. Spelling to Communicate unlocked my true self and set me free.”

~Caden Rainey, Nonspeaker & Autism Advocate, OH

We will also be announcing this year’s Board Blazer!  The Board Blazer is an exceptional role model, leader, and advocate in the nonspeaking, minimally and unreliably speaking community. This nonspeaker educates the neurotypical world about autistic and nonspeaking acceptance by showing pride in neurodiversity, highlighting the intelligence and capabilities of nonspeaking people, and pushing for understanding of neurodivergent needs and concerns. Their compassionate leadership, dedication, and determination inspires others to explore what their best life as a neurodivergent person looks like, and inspires allies to support neurodivergent people in building this life. They embody the fact that nonspeaking does not equal nonthinking, that outsides do not always match insides, and that dysregulation does not equal disinterest. Check out last year’s Board Blazer, Gregory Tino. 

Your attendance at Spring into Spelling, your ongoing support and your steadfast commit ment to the nonspeaking commUnity advances the I-ASC mission that EVERY nonspeaking person has access to effective and reliable communication! 

The mission of I-ASC is to advance communication access for nonspeaking individuals globally through training, education, advocacy, and research.  I-ASC supports all forms of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) with a focus on methods of spelling and typing. I-ASC currently offers Practitioner training in Spelling to Communicate (S2C)with the hope that other methods of AAC using spelling or typing will join our association