The Washington County Communication Alliance Stepping Forward Together 2019: Promoting Cultural Competence and Equity in Communities March 14, 2019

Communication Alliance Scott Brodie Kris Medina Conor Cleveland Tracy Thresher

Communication Alliance Mission Statement: The Washington County Communication Alliance Mission Statement: The Communication Alliance is a group of advocates who have communication challenges and we type to express ourselves. We advocate for an individual’s right to communicate, for Quality of Life initiatives and for increased public awareness and education. For more information about the Task Force and their activities contact: Tracy Thresher: rightsrus@wcmhs.org Harvey Lavoy: HarveyL@wcmhs.org

Communication Alliance The group takes part in a variety of advocacy projects; some have included educating legislators, senators and other decision makers regarding necessary communication supports and services that are essential in helping them lead enriched lives.

Communication Alliance The group has also been diligently sharing their message that they are thinking, feeling people who have a lot to say and who should be presumed to be competent to communicate in some way under the right circumstance.

Communication Alliance The group is always on the lookout for educational opportunities such as presenting at schools, conferences and workshops - where they can share their stories and experiences in an effort to be a resource to others.  

Communication Alliance “The overall mission of the Learning Collaborative is to promote the right to communicate and educate about how individuals with disabilities learn to advocate for themselves.” The presentations you are about to hear will focus on individuals with autism who type to communicate. Each Alliance Member is accompanied by a facilitator who is providing support while they type.

Communication Alliance The Communication Alliance hopes to convey that people with disabilities have the same potential as a person who doesn’t experience a disability. Our topic is our lives with disabilities and typing being our only reliable way to communicate. The most important message is being aware of the privilege to communicate and to communicate with clarity and good intention. We also hope to spread the word and educate others about supported typing and to show that we have a voice just like anyone else.

Communication Alliance Each person on the panel will be sharing a PowerPoint presentation and short video. At the end there will be time for questions and answers. We will take one question at a time and wait for all the presenters to finish before the next question.