The Call for Access to Spelling for Nonspeakers in Schools with Danny and Tara Whitty

Think Inclusive

About the Guest(s):

Danny Whitty is a non-speaking autistic advocate who uses spelling to communicate. He has gained attention for his insights into living as a non-speaker and his advocacy for disability rights. Danny is a co-host of the podcast "All Our Brave Hearts" along with his sister, Tara. Their podcast aims to amplify the voices of non-speakers and advocate for more inclusive practices in education and society.

Tara Whitty is Danny's sister and his main communication regulation partner. She plays a crucial role in helping Danny communicate and is an advocate for inclusive education and disability rights. Tara holds a PhD in a field unrelated to speech communication, but she has trained herself to be a practitioner to support Danny in his communication journey. Together, they produce the podcast "All Our Brave Hearts."

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of "Think Inclusive," host Tim Villegas converses with Danny and Tara Whitty, shedding light on the transformative power of alternative communication methods like spelling to communicate. Through a detailed discussion, Danny shares his experiences of living a "shadow of a life" before gaining the ability to communicate via spelling. Tara discusses the crucial role of a communication regulation partner and the struggles associated with hiring one outside the family.

Danny and Tara delve into the barriers to full inclusion in schools, highlighting the resistance and skepticism surrounding alternative communication methods such as spelling to communicate. Despite the challenges, Danny’s journey stands as a testament to resilience, illustrating the power of presuming competence and the essential human right of communication. The episode serves as a powerful reminder that an inclusive mindset can make a significant difference in the lives of non-speakers.

Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/3zwexqa26T51HJx2DWfwAmsyptU

Key Takeaways:

• The introduction of spelling to communicate can drastically improve the quality of life and autonomy for non-speaking individuals.
• Hiring and training communication regulation partners is challenging but necessary for granting non-speakers more autonomy.
• There is significant bias and skepticism within educational and professional communities regarding the validity of alternative communication methods.
• Inclusive education should prioritize presuming competence and providing necessary communication tools to all students, regardless of their initial perceived abilities.
• Danny and Tara's podcast, "All Our Brave Hearts," aims to foster understanding and acceptance of non-speakers and broader disability rights issues.

Resources:

All Our Braves Hearts: https://allourbravehearts.substack.com/

Danny with Words: https://dannywithwords.com/

SPELLERS: https://youtu.be/8h1rcLyznK0?feature=shared

MCIE: https://www.mcie.org/

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