Whose Truth Matters? Communication Access and Training Against a Backdrop of Controversy

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Ten
  In Roundtable Session: Using Disability Studies and Social Justice Perspectives to Explore Ability in Schools (Table 16)

Abstract

Supported typing allows individuals to communicate by pointing or typing with the support of a facilitator or communication partner. However, controversy over the validity and reliability of these methods has hindered access to these methods as well as informed the practice of trainers and leaders in typing to communicate methods. Informed by Critical Rhetorical Studies, we examine the ways these trainers understand the controversy and describe the rhetorical moves they make to maintain access and provide communication training in the face of skepticism and outright denial. We ask, Who decides what forms of communication are valued? Whose “truth” matters? How can we expand the notion of evidence to include the experiences of typers and privilege their voices in this work?

Authors

• Nikkia D. Borowski, Syracuse University
  Presenting Author

• Christine Elaine Ashby, Syracuse University
  Presenting Author