You are viewing the website for the aac-rerc, which was funded by NIDRR from 2008-2013.
For information on the new RERC on AAC, funded by NIDILRR from 2014-2019, please visit rerc-aac.psu.edu.
AAC-RERC Writers Brigade
Chris Klein |
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A Voice and Helping Hand to Those with Disabilities
I am a voice to those that have none and helping hand to those with disabilities, even though I was born with cerebral palsy and use augmentative communication to help me interact with the rest of the world. I have used my first augmentative communication device since I was 6 years old. This allowed me to be mainstreamed starting in third grade, and opened doors that nobody thought were achievable.
I am a graduate of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary and have my Masters of Divinity. This has opened my doors for me and allows me to speak at churches, conferences, retreats, and schools. I have been published in Christianity Today. This has led me to start Writing Lessons from the Big Toe. It is my faith journey and provides unique insights regarding God, people and the importance of community. It challenges the reader to see these concepts from a different perspectives examine these in their walks of faith.
Because I have committed my life to assisting others like myself, I have founded Clay Vessel Inc a not-for-profit resource for assistive technology (AT). The organization is a destination, guide, resource and link to AT. Our mission is to give people the tools and information they need to obtain devices. We are committed to educating, advocating, guiding, and then accessing funds. We we even directly provide devices if needed.
My goal is to set up a mentor program for AAC users. I want to have successful adults, who use AAC, come along side of families and AAC users to mentor them. I believe we need to raise expectations, so that everybody can achieve their goal to be a productive member of society.
That is one of the reasons I became a member of the AAC-RERC Writers Brigade. Doing so allows me to available to educate others about issues that effect people with speech disabilities, advocate for myself and my peers, as well as develop, promote, and link to assistive funding resources. As a result, I give a voice to those who have none, offer opportunities where there are few, and bring hope where it has been lost.