Reach Every Voice, LLC

I’m wrapping up a few very fulfilling days at this year’s TASH national conference in New Orleans. It’s so gratifying to be able to be in community with so many like-minded people committed to doing the work of inclusion and it feels even more remarkable to be in this space with teammates from both my beloved organizations, Reach Every Voice and Communication for Education. My team at Reach Every Voice, LLC included one of our nonspeaking students, Nick Barry, who began work with us as a 19 year old, and now, at 26, he played a pivotal role in the development of our presentation, Creating Student Designed Spaces for Nonspeaking and Minimally Speaking Learners and he also traveled to New Orleans to present in person with me, Ingrid Ventura Ellis and Anne Butler. Nick is an incredible advocate and it was such a joy to be a part of his first professional presentation. I am certain there are more in his future. My team at Communication for Education, Julie Sando, Edlyn Pena and I presented about the Benefits of Collaborative, Multidisciplinary Approaches to AAC Training in Schools. It was an amazing experience to share the takeaways from our research implementing CFE’s training course with school teams in four states and Nicaragua and to engage with an audience who knows that AAC training needs to involve all school stakeholders in all environments because communication happens everywhere! I’m so grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with so many old friends and to meet new ones. Until our paths cross again - keep causing good trouble!

I'm thrilled to be a part of the Maryland State Department of Education's initiative to focus on communicative competency and work to make education more accessible and equitable for all learners, especially those who have communication access needs. Later this month, I'll be presenting for the Access, Equity, Progress (AEP) virtual webinar, Proficiency is Not a Prerequisite: Removing Roadblocks and Ensuring Access for Nonspeaking Learners. Although this session is targeted to Local Directors of Special Education and other nonpublic supervisory positions, it is open to interested outside parties as well. I hope some of my Maryland-based families and educators will consider joining or viewing the recording, which will eventually be posted on YouTube. This virtual session will be held on October 24, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The virtual meeting space will be opened at 12:45 p.m. and the session will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. The purpose of this session is to provide a deep dive into what communicative competence is and how to provide a robust system of communication support for students with complex support needs, a continued initiative of the Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services. Advance registration is required: https://lnkd.in/eSup8P2b #CommunicationAccess #InclusiveEducation ?

Are you a parent or educator looking to learn more effective and neurodiversity-affirming ways to support your nonspeaking students? Our groundbreaking online course offers unmatched learning for teachers and parents alike. You'll learn from skilled educators, world renowned leaders in the disability community, and the experts themselves - nonspeaking individuals. Join our free info session on August 17 to ask your questions and learn more. https://lnkd.in/e7hND6ut

I’m speaking in Annapolis, Maryland, on August 6 & 7 for MCIE Summer Institute 2024. This 2-day institute will provide valuable insights on inclusive school leadership, team collaboration, and specially designed instruction for educators, families, and partners on the journey towards inclusive schooling. You can find me leading a breakout session (Text-Based Multimodal AAC: Including All Learners) and as a panelist (A Conversation with Inclusionists). Check out all the sessions here: bit.ly/MCIE-Summer-2024 There is still time to register. Will we see you there? Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education #PresumeCompetence #MultimodalAAC #CommunicationIsAHumanRight #AAC #AugmentativeAndAlternativeCommunication #Inclusion #InclusiveEducation #EveryoneBelongs #Educators #MarylandEducators