Reclaiming My Voice Communication Is a Right, Not a Privilege

By Dr. Crystal Jordan, L.H.D.

Auesomely You Magazine™

Published: September 2, 2026

Pillar Focus: Advocacy

What does it mean to have a voice?

For many of us, the answer seems simple. We open our mouths, speak our thoughts, ask for what we need, say no when something doesn't feel right, tell someone when we're hurting, and share the things that bring us joy.

But having a voice and using spoken words are not the same thing.

Across our communities are children, teenagers, and adults who are nonspeaking or have limited speech. Some communicate through AAC devices. Others use tablets, gestures, sign language, pictures, letter boards, body language, or a combination of communication methods.

They have thoughts.

They have preferences.

They have emotions.

They have opinions.

They have stories.

And they have voices.

The responsibility of the rest of us is to make sure they have access to the tools necessary to express them.

Nonspeaking Does Not Mean Nothing to Say

One of the most harmful assumptions we can make about a nonspeaking person is that because they don't communicate in the way we expect, they don't understand what is happening around them.

Communication can look different.

A person may not verbally tell you, “I need a break,” but that need still exists.

They may not speak the words, “I don't like that,” but their preference still matters.

They may not verbally say, “I love you,” “I'm scared,” “I'm hungry,” “That hurts,” or “I want to go home.”

That doesn't make those thoughts any less real.

We have to stop measuring someone's intelligence, personality, potential, or humanity by how many spoken words they use.

Speech is one form of communication. It is not the definition of communication.

Imagine Not Being Able to Tell Someone What You Need

Think about your own day.

How many times do you communicate something?

You order food.

You answer a question.

You tell someone you're uncomfortable.

You make a choice.

You ask for help.

You say you're in pain.

You tell someone to stop.

You make a joke.

You say someone's name.

You tell your family you love them.

Now imagine having all of those thoughts but not having reliable access to a communication system that allows you to express them.

That is why communication access is not an extra.

It is a necessity.

And that's where the mission of Auesomely You Cares Inc. becomes deeply personal.

Giving Someone A Voice

Through our Give A Voice campaign, Auesomely You Cares Inc. is working to help nonspeaking individuals and families gain access to tablets, AAC devices, communication tools, supportive technology, and resources that can help create more opportunities for meaningful communication.

A device may look like a piece of technology to someone else.

To a nonspeaking individual, it can become something much bigger.

It can mean:

I want that.

No.

Yes.

I'm hungry.

I'm hurting.

I need help.

I need a break.

I don't understand.

I'm happy.

I'm scared.

I love you.

Listen to me.

Those words carry power.

The ability to communicate preferences, needs, boundaries, emotions, and ideas can influence nearly every part of someone's life, from home and school to healthcare, relationships, safety, employment, and independence.

A Tablet Can Be More Than a Tablet

When people hear that we're working to provide tablets and communication resources, I want them to understand what they're actually helping provide.

They're not simply helping us hand someone a screen.

They're helping create access.

For some families, communication technology can be financially difficult to obtain or maintain. Families may also need help understanding available communication options and identifying resources that could support their loved one.

Our goal is to help close that gap.

Because a family's financial circumstances should not determine whether their loved one has an opportunity to communicate.

Give Them Time to Answer

Providing technology is only part of the conversation.

We also have to change how we interact with nonspeaking people.

Communication access means respecting the person using the device.

It means speaking to them, not only to the person standing beside them.

It means allowing additional processing time.

It means not grabbing their device.

It means not speaking for them automatically.

It means recognizing that communication may look different from moment to moment.

Most importantly, it means presuming that the person in front of us has something worth communicating.

Because they do.

Reclaiming the Meaning of “Voice”

This is why I love the words Reclaiming My Voice.

Voice doesn't have to mean sound.

A voice can come through a tablet.

A voice can come through AAC.

A voice can come through sign language.

A voice can come through pictures.

A voice can come through gestures.

A voice can come through typing.

A voice can look completely different from what society traditionally expects.

The goal should never be to make every person communicate like everyone else.

The goal should be to make sure every person has a way to communicate that works for them.

This Is Bigger Than Technology

The Give A Voice campaign is ultimately about dignity.

It's about choice.

It's about safety.

It's about advocacy.

It's about participation.

It's about making sure nonspeaking children are not overlooked in classrooms.

It's about making sure nonspeaking adults remain part of the conversation.

It's about reminding families that communication differences do not erase someone's personality, intelligence, preferences, dreams, or right to be included.

And it's about challenging the rest of society to expand our understanding of what having a voice actually means.

At Auesomely You Cares Inc., we believe every person deserves the opportunity to communicate.

Not someday.

Not only if they learn to speak.

Not only if their family can afford the technology.

Now.

Because everyone deserves a way to say:

This is who I am.

This is what I need.

This is what I choose.

This is my voice.

And we need to be willing to listen.

Support the Give A Voice Campaign

Your support can help Auesomely You Cares Inc. continue working toward communication access and resources for nonspeaking individuals and their families.

Because giving someone access to communication isn't about speaking for them.

It's about giving them the tools and opportunities to speak for themselves, in whatever form their voice takes.

Auesomely You Cares Inc.Give A Voice Campaign

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