URGENT ACTION NEEDED
Protect Communication Rights for Nonspeaking Individuals
New York bill S7792 was originally intended to protect communication access. Recent amendments have changed the bill in ways that could harm nonspeaking individuals who rely on letterboards, spelling-based AAC, and trained communication support.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO LIVE IN NEW YORK TO HELP
Why This Matters
Recent amendments have fundamentally changed this bill in ways that could harm the very individuals it was meant to support.
Many nonspeaking people experience motor planning differences, apraxia, sensory dysregulation, anxiety, or unreliable body control. They may require trained communication support to access their thoughts and express themselves.
The amended language includes terms like “autonomous,” “validated,” and “independent.” Those words may sound protective, but they could be used to deny communication rights to people who rely on letterboards, spelling-based AAC, typing, and communication regulation partners.
Support is not proof that communication is invalid. Support is access.
Step 1: Call NY Senators
Please call all co-sponsors of S7792 and urge them to withdraw their co-sponsorship immediately.
You will most likely leave a voicemail or speak with a staff member or intern. A short, clear message is enough.
Call Script
Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME]. I’m calling to urge Senator [NAME] to withdraw their co-sponsorship of S7792 immediately.
Senator Fahy’s amendments have gutted this bill. The words “autonomous” and “validated” would strip communication rights from nonspeaking individuals who use letterboards and spelling-based AAC.
We supported this bill to protect our community, not harm it.
Please pull your co-sponsorship now.
Thank you.
Step 2: Email All Co-Sponsors
In addition to calling, please email the senators and ask them to withdraw their co-sponsorship of S7792.
Please BCC Typing4freedom@gmail.com so we can track the emails.
Email Senators Individually
Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr
SD 15
Senator George Borrello
SD 57
Senator Jabari Brisket
SD 25
Senator Samra Brouk
SD 55
Senator Stephen Chan
SD 17
Senator Cordelle Cleare
SD 30
Senator Jeremy Cooney
SD 56
Senator Nathalia Fernandez
SD 34
Senator Kristen Gonzalez
SD 59
Senator Peter Harckham
SD 40
Senator Andrew Lanza
SD 24
Senator Jack Martins
SD 7
Senator Michelle Hinchey
SD 41
Senator John Liu
SD 16
Senator Mario Mattera
SD 2
Senator Robert Jackson
SD 31
Senator Monica Martinez
SD 4
Senator Rachel May
SD 48
Senator Shelley Mayer
SD 37
Senator Gustavo Rivera
SD 33
Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton
SD 23
Senator Skoufis
SD 42
Senator Siela Bynoe
SD 6
Senator Zellnor Myrie
SD 20
Senator Jessica Ramos
SD 13
Senator Christopher Ryan
SD 50
Senator Luis Sepulveda
SD 32
Senator Julia Salazar
SD 18
Senator Jose Serrano
SD 29
Senator Samra Sutton
SD 22
Senator James Tedisco
SD 44
Senator Bill Weber
SD 38
Sample Email
Subject: Urgent: Withdraw Support for S7792
Hi,
I am writing to urgently ask that you withdraw your co-sponsorship of S7792.
Recent amendments to this bill have significantly altered its intent and impact. The inclusion of terms like “autonomous” and “validated” threatens to strip communication rights from nonspeaking individuals who rely on letterboards, spelling-based AAC, and trained communication support.
This community initially supported the bill as a way to protect and expand communication access, not restrict it. In its current form, it does the opposite.
A harmful bill is worse than no bill.
Please take immediate action to remove your co-sponsorship.
Thank you for your time and attention to this critical issue.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
Copy Email Addresses
You can also copy the full list of senator email addresses from the contact sheet and paste them into the "To" field of your email.
Please help spread the word. This issue affects the broader fight for communication rights, AAC access, and the presumption of competence for nonspeaking individuals.
Share this page with families, educators, therapists, disability rights advocates, AAC users, spellers, typers, and anyone who believes communication is a human right.
You do not need to live in New York to help.
Why This Matters:
Every call, email, and share helps protect access to communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to live in New York to help?
No. You do not need to live in New York to call, email, or share this page. This bill could influence the broader national conversation around communication rights, AAC access, and the validity of spelling-based communication.
Why are people asking senators to withdraw support?
Recent amendments changed the bill in ways that could harm nonspeaking individuals who need communication support. The community is asking co-sponsors to withdraw support from the current version of S7792.
What language is causing concern?
The main concerns are words like “autonomous,” “validated,” and “independent.” These words could be interpreted in ways that exclude people who require trained communication support due to apraxia, motor planning differences, sensory regulation needs, or unreliable body control.
Why does support matter?
Some nonspeaking individuals need support to regulate their bodies, access motor planning, stay focused, or point accurately. Needing support does not mean they are not communicating. It means their access needs are being met.
What should I say when I call?
Keep it simple. Say that you are calling to urge the senator to withdraw co-sponsorship of S7792 because the amended language could harm nonspeaking individuals who rely on letterboards, spelling-based AAC, and trained communication support.