Thread by @notanautismmom

When I advocated in front of @VaHouse for my nonspeaking child, his peers, and their teachers, I didn't realize I would be going up against @autismspeaks and @CASProviders

a thread (1/) #IStandWithNonspeakers #ListenToNonspeakers

A modest, but meaningful bill, HB 1047, was brought forth by Delegate Tran yesterday.
(2)
lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp60…

The bill would protect nonspeaking students by ensuring that -

a student's need for AAC wouldn't be used as a reason to segregate that student,

school staff receive training to support the student before school starts,

IQ test results wouldn't be used to deny access to AAC

These are basic protections already put in place under IDEA. But they don't happen.

This is why the bill was brought forth... Because nonspeaking students are segregated at an alarming rate, and many aren't even offered AAC. (4/)

Yesterday, I went to speak in favor of this very modest bill. I was joined by several others, including our state's education association @VEA4Kids, because our teachers WANT training to support their nonspeaking students. (5/)

After we spoke, @autismspeaks and @CASProviders gave nearly identical testimony about their concerns for the bill. You can watch what happened here:

Our bill starts at 9:46. They start speaking at 10:06
(6/)
virginiageneralassembly.gov/house/chamber/…

Are they against nonspeakers gaining access to communication?

Are they against inclusion for nonspeakers?

Are they against teacher training to support nonspeakers?

Because that was the entirety of this bill.

And now the bill is dead. (7/)

So before you "light it up blue" this April, and before you get a team together for one of their walks, just remember...

Autism Speaks advocated AGAINST protections for my son, his nonspeaking peers, and his teachers in Virginia yesterday. (8/)