The traditional term for not speaking is ‘dumb.’ That says it all. If someone can’t talk then they are ‘dumb.’ I am dumb, apparently.
The thesaurus offers these synonyms for dumb: among them mute, speechless, silent, and then fifty additional synonyms for stupidity, including the colorful pinheaded and dim-witted. The bias equating intelligence with speech stacks the deck against those with limited speaking ability.
People who are unable to speak are among the most maligned of all people. Treated as stupid. Under-educated. Far too often mistreated with no recourse.
No one has ever spoken up for the civil rights of the non speaking in a systemic, legal way. Until now.
Communication First is the only civil rights organization that advocates for the legal rights and the human rights of non speakers or those with unintelligible speech.
Please check out this brand new formidable organization as it makes its debut as a 501(c)3 organization.
I am proud to serve on its Board of Directors.
We will be loud in silence.