Nonspeakers do not need permission to communicate.
They need law to stop standing in their way.

Senator Fahy: Reverse the language.
Restore the bill.
Do the right thing

#CommunicationIsAHumanRight #DisabilityRights #Nonspeaking #AutismAdvocacy #PresumeCompetence #CommunicationRights #senatorfahy

I have cerebral palsy.

It shaped my muscles—but strengthened my voice.

Children with disabilities grow up.

We belong in the rooms where decisions are made.

#CerebralPalsyAwareness #PresumeCompetence

four-panel cartoon of Trumpy (#55, volume 2), with the title/logo in the top left corner, "by the Dæricks Gröss" in the top right corner, the Studio G logo in the bottom left corner with "find us on BlueSky @trumpy.studiogart.net", and "Vol.2#55 03-18-2026" in the bottom right corner. All four panels depict Trumpy in the background standing at a lectern speaking to the press, represented by a bunch of hands holding microphones pointed at him. In the foreground, we see the backs of the heads of several of the reporters. The panels are basically the same, with Trumpy changing expressions on his face in the background. Panel 1 Trumpy: "I think a president should not have learning disabilities, OK? And I know it's highly controversial to say such a horrible thing.*" Caption: "*Actual horrible quote, March 16, 2026" Panel 2 Trumpy silent, smiling smugly. Panel 3 Trumpy silent, looking surprised by the lack of response. Panel 4 Trumpy wincing as someone in the crowd speaks Random voice in the crowd: "Fuck you."

#Trumpy satire strip #55

i didn't add the f-bomb gratuitously. if you have someone you love with *any* disability, please consider reposting this everywhere you can think to share it.

#ShineALight
#InclusionMatters
#PresumeCompetence

BROKEN NEWS
When behavior is treated as the problem, communication gets missed.

Behavior is often language — especially for nonspeaking autistic people.
If we don’t listen, we don’t help.

#Neurodiversity #ListenToAutistics #PresumeCompetence #BrokenNews

Empowering Non-Speaking Students: Tools and Mindsets for Inclusive Schools ~ 1312 Empowering non-speaking students with inclusive tools and mindsets. Learn strategies to presume competence, support communication, and create equitable classrooms.

Too many nonspeaking students are present in classrooms without real access. Lisa’s conversation with MCIE Think Inclusive highlights presuming competence, apraxia, and what schools must change now.

#PresumeCompetence #Inclusion
#Education #CommunicationAccess

mcie.org/think-inclus...

@orion-kelly.bsky.social | Orion Kelly - That Autistic Guy: "Unlock Workplace Success - Neurodiversity Secrets!" | #Disability #PresumeCompetence #DontAssume #Ask
www.youtube.com/shorts/6g-jZ...

A gradient blue background features a quote in white and black text: "The least dangerous assumption about human beings is to assume that they are capable of emergent literacy and communication, regardless of the severity or complexity of their disabilities." Attributed to Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver.

What happens when we see possibility before limitation?

We stop underestimating human potential.
We start unlocking communication, literacy, and inclusion for all.

💡 Explore how possibility takes flight at https://bit.ly/4b83mtX

#PresumeCompetence #SpecialEducation #InspirePotential

Damon Kirsebom, a nonspeaking Autistic man, is on Episode 2, now streaming on CBC Gem or YouTube. #PresumeCompetence Damon asks his question using AAC: we just have to give each other time and space: fb.watch/De0IBU9R3D/?...

And that EA support is taken away from students who have a "greater capacity to learn"

Maybe he was repeating or paraphrasing what was said to him

Whatever

Students with high support needs can STILL learn. The ableism is atrocious

#OntEd #ONpoli #autism #PresumeCompetence

EVERY human is capable of learning. It's HOW that learning is TAUGHT to them

Not everyone is going to MIT but humans, regardless of ANYTHING, deserve to be taught in a way that allows them to learn

#OntEd #autism #disability #neurodiversity #PresumeCompetence

It’s Not About You: Why Trust is the Foundation of Supporting Nonspeaking Student Communication Communication grows where trust runs deep—and trust deepens when students know their honesty will be met with listening, not defensiveness.

From @reacheveryvoice.bsky.social:

Why Trust is the Foundation of Supporting Nonspeaking Student Communication

shorturl.at/B6FvC

#OntEd #EduSky #autism #AAC #communication #NonSpeaking #PresumeCompetence

A teal and blue background with a white post it paper clipped in the middle. The words on the post-it say, "Reminder: Students don't need to 'look like' they're listening in order to learn. Sitting at a desk should not be a prerequisite for access to education." Credit: Reach Every Voice

Sitting still & making eye contact are not prerequisites to learning

#OntEd #autism #neurodiversity #PresumeCompetence

In my presuming competence era | Bonfire Buy In my presuming competence era merchandise that supports Rev Accessability Inc.. Featuring Athletic Heather Premium Unisex Tees, professionally printed in the USA.

Help us support communication access for ALL learners and make a statement with our shirts this school year.

New year, new shirts..

#PresumeCompetence #CommunicationAccess #InclusiveEducation

5) #ListenToNonSpeakers & #AACUsers

Hear
@jordynbzim’s story in #ThisIsNotAboutMe

Access @Communica1st events, resources and powerful short film
#Listen

#PresumeCompetence
#CommunicationIsAHumanRight

Amplify.
thread
below = numerous powerful perspectives of #NonSpeakers x.com/ekverstania/...

Lovely graphic. Suggestion to remove ‘ASD’ next time as it is not aligned with Neurodiversity or Acceptance but is rather a medical model-based diagnostic term. Hashtags to highlight:
#ListenToNonSpeakers
#PresumeCompetence
#CommunicationIsAHumanRight
#NormalizeStimming
#RedInstead

Exclusion Image Description: Close up photo of a chain link fence Sneh Duggal recently wrote a powerful piece in The Trillium placing on the proverbial table the data related to school exclusions. In a timel…

Exclusion exists in the context of oppressive neuronormative defaults. We need to do better.
#PresumeCompetence
#ListenToNonSpeakers
#NormalizeStimming
#NothingAboutUsWithoutUs

neurorealme.wordpress.com/2025/04/08/e...
@chandrapasma.bsky.social

I love this blog post because this is what I'm learning every day now. Ever since my autistic son began his typing journey, I feel like our relationship has changed. #defyinggravity #presumecompetence #s2c

Ten Ways to Presume Competence in Nonspeaking Kids and Adults | I-ASC As a Registered S2C Practitioner, presuming competence is the heart and soul of what I do every day. But it wasn’t that long ago that the term was unfamiliar.

Presuming competence in our community members with communication disabilities includes having the patience to not speak for or over someone who needs time and effort to communicate. More examples:

i-asc.org/ten-ways-to-... #autism #neurodiversity #PresumeCompetence

A blue gradient background with a quote in black and white text: "When we are not sure what students can learn, Presume Competence and the ability to learn." - Cheryl Jorgensen, PhD.

Every student has potential.

Always presume competence while providing the support they need to be successful. Belief in their ability to learn can make ALL the difference! 💡

#BelieveInBetter #PresumeCompetence #EduSky #AllMeansAll

Every “win” brightens the day. I know they will continue to grow and learn. #presumecompetence
😊

Presuming Competence: Perspectives in Learning Journeys Using lessons from the beach to illustrate the importance of honoring different learning journeys, and presuming competence of all learners.

Presuming competence means believing all students can learn—each in their own way & time. Like kids finding different ways to climb a floating trampoline, learning isn't one-size-fits-all. Let’s champion every learner! #AllMeansAll #PresumeCompetence

www.buildingwings.com/presuming-co...

A motivational quote graphic with a dark blue background and a tilted rectangular text box in light gray. The quote inside reads: 'We need to make the positive so loud that the negative almost becomes impossible to hear.' — George Couros.

Let’s turn up the volume on what’s working! When we amplify the positive, the negative fades into the background. 📢✨

ALL students have endless possibilities with literacy!

#EduSky #SpedEd #PresumeCompetence #AllMeansAll

#teacher #TeachersofBlueSky #education #specialeducation #presumecompetence #autism #hope

When you let me use my actual preferred communication my intelligence cannot be denied."

TJ Thompson, REV Student

#NonspeakingDoesNotEqualNonthinking #AAC #CommunicationAccess #CommunicationIsAHumanRight #PresumeCompetence
🧵3/3

Going Off-Script: Don't let what you hear impact how you treat me. What do you do when an autistic person recites the script of a cartoon? Does their speech show what they're intending to say?

“My speech goes beyond what I think of as unreliable. To me it is reliably annoying.” Our student Nick shares why AAC is crucial to his being understood.

#PresumeCompetence #ActuallyAutistic #CommunicationAccess

a black and white photograph from behind of a young man pointing to a letter on a keyboard with his right hand, using a fidget with his left hand.

#PresumeCompetence #CommunicationAccess
#AugmentativeAndAlternativeCommunication

Slide titled 'Why Attribute Meaning?' with a list of five bullet points: Natural response to child's writing, Teaches student to be less random, Builds understanding over time, Sends message of competence, High expectations. Includes a cartoon of a woman with curly hair thinking.

Attributing meaning to emergent writing isn’t just a strategy—it’s a message: 'You are capable.' 🌟 Let’s empower AAC users with high expectations, competence, and understanding. 💬✍️

Learn more today: bit.ly/3OYBePI

#AAC #SpedEdu #PresumeCompetence

Image of a single white daisy with a yellow center against a blurred natural background. Text on the image reads: 'Everyone has something to offer, regardless of ability

Everyone has something to offer, regardless of ability. Let's celebrate strengths, embrace diversity, and create spaces where all voices are valued. 🌼

#Inclusion #PresumeCompetence #EveryoneBelongs #EduSky #AllMeansAll

I hope to understand.

I'm not begging forgiveness; My apologies are for others, not me.

Anyone want to explain for me, instead of explain me?

#HelpMeUnderstand
#HelpMeDoBetter
#ActuallyAutistic #Neurodivergent #Autism #Autistic #Disability #Disabled #PresumeCompetence

Quote on orange background that says "Don't let assumptions hold someone back."

Assumptions can be the biggest barriers to learning. Believe in the potential of every learner, and you'll open doors to possibilities. 💡

#PresumeCompetence #AllMeansAll #EduSky