2016 TASH Conference

This session will provide participants with information about the Wellspring Guild, a not-for-profit organization, that envisions a future where all people are presumed competent and seen as valued contributing citizens exercising their right to communicate. Communication is essential to citizenship and community participation. The mission of Wellspring Guild is to train and certify practitioners employing a uniformed standard of practice to ensure for all a meaningful voice that is personal, authentic, and effective. After this session participants will be able to; a) explain presumption of competence and that everyone has the desire and ability to express themselves and direct their own lives. b) define evidence based practice in relationship to AAC, movement differences, inclusive schools, and inclusive communities. c) summarize the importance of a total communication approach and that all people are entitled to a robust communication system which allows for full effective expression, and self-advocacy. d) define Wellspring Guild's professional standards and conduct which include, use of informed consent, promotion of respectful collaboration with professionals of other disciplines and deliverance of culturally and age appropriate supports and services.