Communication is a human right. Many nonspeakers type to communicate, but their right to do so has often been violated in group homes and other public settings.

The NY State Assembly passed the Communication Bill of Rights unanimously last June, benchmark legislation that makes communication rights crystal clear.

Senator Fahy, the chair of the Disability Committee, recently amended the Communication Bill of Rights (S7792C) in a way that would effectively strip communication rights from people with disabilities.

The original bill, S7792B, was the version our community supported — it protected the right of people with disabilities to use the manner of communication that works best for them. The amended version does the opposite. A Bill of Rights should expand disability rights, not restrict them.

Please ask the current Senate co-sponsors of the Communication Bill of Rights to withdraw their co-sponsorship of S7792C.