When we talk about communication access, we often forget that some voices are doubly silenced. For BIPOC nonspeaking individuals, the battle for basic human rights isn’t just about finding their voice – it’s about having that voice heard and respected in a world that often overlooks both their disability and their race.
Defining the Problem
The numbers tell a devastating story, but behind each statistic is a human being fighting to be seen. Black children are waiting three years longer than their white peers for autism diagnoses, and when we dig deeper, we find they’re 56% less likely to be identified as needing special education services compared to white children with similar needs. As Ben McGann, a 24-year-old Black autistic man, powerfully reflects in his response to George Floyd’s murder, this intersection of disability and race creates a unique form of discrimination that cuts twice as deep.
The employment landscape reveals equally troubling patterns. A Drexel University study found that while 66% of white adults with disabilities secure employment, only 37% of Black adults and 34% of Latino adults find work. These aren’t just numbers – they represent dreams deferred, talents wasted, and voices silenced. The unemployment rate tells an even starker story: 12.3% for Black disabled people compared to 6.6% for white people with disabilities. Each percentage point represents countless individuals denied the chance to contribute to society.
Perhaps most alarming is the safety crisis facing this community. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that people with disabilities are 2.5 times more likely to be victims of violent crime, with multiracial individuals facing even higher rates. For nonspeaking individuals, the situation is even more precarious. As noted by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, many crimes go unreported because victims lack access to appropriate communication tools. Think about that for a moment – imagine being unable to report abuse because you literally cannot communicate it to authorities.
The research from the Autistic People of Color Fund adds another layer to this crisis: “Few studies exist that examine the relationship between autism, race, and mental health, but those that do suggest that autistic people of color are more likely to have psychosocial disabilities than their white autistic counterparts.” This lack of research itself speaks volumes about systemic neglect.
A Way Forward
But there’s hope in action. Organizations like The Color of Autism Foundation are working to bridge these gaps. As Carly Fleishman and Ido Kedar have demonstrated, “non-speaking does not necessarily equate to a disconnect from accessing emotions or communicating about them.” These pioneers are showing the world that given the right tools and support, nonspeaking individuals can and do communicate powerfully about their experiences.
The way forward requires acknowledging a hard truth: disability is often “understood through a white and wealth privileged lens,” as noted in research on police violence against Americans with disabilities. This limited understanding means that formal definitions of disability used in government and mainstream disability rights actions may overlook the unique experiences of disabled Black people and other people of color.
The intersection of race and disability isn’t just an academic concept – it’s a lived reality for millions. When we talk about communication equity, we must ensure our solutions address both aspects of this double barrier. Only then can we begin to create truly inclusive spaces for all.
S&A Takes On #CommunicationEquity
The statistics and stories shared paint a clear picture of the urgent need for change in how we approach communication access for BIPOC nonspeaking individuals. But awareness alone isn’t enough – we need concrete action and sustainable solutions. This is where Spellers and Allies (S&A) steps in, working hand in hand with the International Association for Spelling as Communication (I-ASC) to create real change.
S&A is a dedicated advocacy group of nonspeaking individuals and their allies who work tirelessly to increase access to Spelling to Communicate (S2C). Through educational outreach, compelling presentations, and community building, we’re working to ensure that every nonspeaking person has the opportunity to access reliable communication methods. Our advocates understand firsthand that communication is not just about having the right tools – it’s about having the proper support, training, and community understanding to make those tools genuinely effective.
Our current #CommunicationEquity campaign addresses the critical gap in BIPOC access to S2C. The disparities we’ve highlighted – from delayed diagnoses to employment barriers – underscore why this work is so urgent.
As part of S&A’s commitment to communication equity, we’re taking a focused approach to create lasting change through:
- Active outreach and partnership building with BIPOC organizations to better understand and serve their communities.
- Creation and delivery of targeted presentations that address the unique challenges faced by BIPOC nonspeaking individuals
- Development of funding initiatives to ensure S2C lessons are accessible to all who need them
- Collaboration with BIPOC advocates and allies to ensure our approach is culturally responsive and effective
How You Can Help
The path forward requires all of us. Whether you’re a potential practitioner, family member, advocate, or supporter, there’s a place for you in the S&A movement. By joining forces with our dedicated group of spellers and allies, you become part of a larger mission to ensure that every voice has the opportunity to be heard and respected, regardless of how it’s expressed or who expresses it.
We invite you to learn more about Spellers and Allies and how you can contribute to our mission of communication equity. Together, we can build a future where access to communication is truly universal.
Learn more about our work and how you can get involved at https://i-asc.org/advocacy/spellers-allies-advocacy-network/. Interested in supporting the #CommunicationEquity campaign directly? Consider informing us about BIPOC organizations in your community with this simple form. Every step toward communication equity is a step toward justice.
Resources and Citations
- American Autism Association. “Obstacles Black Autistic Individuals Face.” myautism.org.
- McGann, Ben. “Autistic Reflections on Racism.” Personal blog post reflecting on George Floyd’s murder and experiences of discrimination.
- Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). “Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009-2015: Statistical Tables.” U.S. Department of Justice. https://bjs.ojp.gov/library/publications/crime-against-persons-disabilities-2009-2015-statistical-tables
- Autistic People of Color Fund. “Autism, Race, and Mental Health.” Research Report.
- Autistic People of Color Fund. “Autism, Race, and Employment.” Research Report featuring Drexel University study on employment rates.
- 6. Journals.sagepub.com. “Special Education Black Minority Students Research.” https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3102/0013189X17726282
- Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). “Autism & Safety Toolkit.” https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/safety/
- “Listening beyond words: The absence of non-speaking autistic input in counselling psychology research and practice.” Academic research paper featuring insights from Carly Fleishman and Ido Kedar.
- “Black, Disabled and at Risk: The Overlooked Problem of Police Violence Against Americans with Disabilities.” News article/research paper.
About The Author
I’m Cian Fullam, a 22-year-old speller and member of S&A. I currently reside in Tampa, Florida. I believe there is much to learn about accessibility and acceptance from nature which is in a state of constant change, yet continues to thrive.
