Imagine a Week Without Speech: A Reflection On "The Right to Communicate"

Being a person who can not only use spoken language to communicate with others, but one who works with literature, linguistics, and the language arts, I was, for the most part, oblivious to the fact that for about two million individuals, verbal communication is impossible and non-existent. Up until my viewing of Dr. Diane Nelson Bryen's presentation, "The Right to Communicate: Augmentative and Alternative Approach, " I was unaware of the extent to which individuals with communication disabilities suffered because they did not have a working system of language. In fact, according to Bryen, of those who have a communication disability, only half have the proper tools and technology to have a working system of language. So, with my ignorance toward such issues, I became very informed by Dr. Bryen's presentation concerning the Communication Bill of Rights and technological tools that cater to individuals with communicative disabilities.
The Communication Bill of Rights are a set of 12 rights produced by the National Joint Committee for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities, that outlines what rights that not only every human being should have in terms of communication, but especially and specifically those rights concerning communication that individuals with disabilities should have. For example, one such right is the right to request information. As a person without a communication disability, I am able to gain access to a wealth of knowledge through the simple formation of a verbal question. With this ability, I gain a sense of independence and safety. However, in our modern society, those who cannot speak are seen as uncaring, content, or "stupid." Clearly, this is not true. During Dr. Bryen's presentation, she shared with the audience a group of individuals with communicative disabilities who, using technology, explained that they wanted to be heard and they do have things to say. In terms of technology, anything from a ten cent piece of paper with letters on it, to a 12 thousand dollar digital communication board can make all the difference in the world of a person who cannot communicate in a traditional manner.
During Bryen’s presentation, she shared with the class that as a part of her curriculum for being able to work with individuals with communicative disabilities is a project in which students are not allowed to verbally communicate for two weeks. I try to imagine myself pointing at a picture of a salad and trying to find a way to communicate "Italian dressing" or ordering at a drive through. Just that simple reflection made me realize, not only how much I take granted the fact that I can speak, but more so, that as a future educator, I will one day be faced with an individual with communicative disabilities and so will my communication-abled students. However, after this presentation I felt a little more prepared to work with communicative disabled individuals. I’m no expert, but I came away from the presentation with the idea that education, patience, and advocacy is necessary to ensure that all human beings, disabled or not, have the right to communicate.
Bryen, Diane N. "The Right to Communicate: Augmentative and Alterantive Approach." Special Lecture Series. University of Guam, Mangilao. 17 Oct. 2008.