That all people with disability labels, who do not communicate through speech, have means of communication which allows their fullest participation in the world; that people can communicate using their chosen method; and that their communication is respected by others
People who have disability labels, and who use alternative forms of communication, will be active at the local, state, and national level in shaping public policy.
Facilitated Communication will be accepted in practice and policy as a legitimate augmentative communication method.
Our Values...
Presumption of Competence
We are people with varying disability labels, AND we are often misperceived as being incompetent or less able because we do not speak. We want others to recognize that we are competent people who do make our own decisions about our lives in our own way ~ and we will work together to overcome other people’s ideas about what we can and cannot do.
All people can be competent communicators. It is lack of opportunity to develop methods of communication; lack of access to quality education, accommodations and supports; and lack of environmental awareness that contributes to perceived incompetence.
Belief, Respect, Value For Each Person’s Communication
We want the right to communicate and all forms of communication methods to be accepted and respected.
We want funding and policy practices in place to assure all people, regardless of disability, have the support, access to quality education, and equipment to meet their needs.
Autonomy & Participation
We need support and help to clear away the barriers that make it hard or impossible for us to communicate and to actively participate in decision-making and public policy that affects our lives.
We want to work collaboratively with other advocates to gain support for the right to communicate.
