[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E969]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR SPELLING AS COMMUNICATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JAMES R. WALKINSHAW

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 2026

  Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
International Association for Spelling as Communication, known as I-
ASC, for its work supporting nonspeaking individuals and their families 
and advancing communication access, inclusion, agency, and autonomy.
  Founded in 2019, I-ASC is a nonprofit organization whose mission is 
to advance communication access for nonspeaking individuals through 
training, education, advocacy, and research. The organization brings 
together nonspeaking self-advocates, families, practitioners, 
researchers, and allies around the shared goal of expanding 
opportunities for individuals who cannot reliably use speech as their 
primary means of communication.
  I-ASC supports augmentative and alternative communication, with a 
particular focus on spelling and typing. The organization also provides 
practitioner training in Spelling to Communicate, or S2C, a methodology 
developed to teach nonspeaking individuals to communicate by pointing 
to letters.
  Central to I-ASC's work is a belief that communication access can 
open doors to greater participation in education, employment, 
relationships, and community life. Its programs seek to ensure that 
nonspeaking, minimally speaking, and unreliably speaking individuals 
have opportunities to communicate and exercise greater agency in their 
own lives.
  I especially commend I-ASC for elevating the perspectives of 
nonspeaking individuals themselves. The organization's Nonspeaking 
Leadership Council provides nonspeaking adults with a formal role 
advising I-ASC's leadership and helping shape its work. This commitment 
reflects an important principle for all of us who work in public 
service: policies and programs affecting people with disabilities 
should be informed by their experiences and perspectives.
  Here in Northern Virginia and across the country, families of people 
with disabilities are powerful advocates for their loved ones. 
Organizations like I-ASC help build communities where families can find 
resources, education, and connections while working toward a future in 
which individuals with disabilities can participate more fully in every 
aspect of community life.
  As we continue working to make our schools, workplaces, public 
spaces, and institutions more accessible, we must remember that 
accessibility includes communication. Every individual deserves 
dignity, respect, and meaningful opportunities to participate in the 
decisions and communities that shape their lives.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
International Association for Spelling as Communication and the 
nonspeaking individuals, families, practitioners, advocates, and 
community members who contribute to its work. I wish I-ASC continued 
success as it works to advance communication access and inclusion for 
nonspeaking people.

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