Vermont HR 17: House resolution affirming that all Vermonters are presumed to be competent to communicate and must be provided effective communication resources of their choice

Bill Text

VTLEG#389313 v.1
State of Vermont
House of Representatives
Montpelier, Vermont
House Resolution
H.R. 17
Offered by Committee on Human Services
House resolution affirming that all Vermonters are presumed to be competent to
communicate and must be provided effective communication resources of their choice
Whereas, in the early 1990s, facilitated communication (FC) was introduced in
Vermont, and, in 1994, practice and validation guidelines to enhance FC’s integrity
were implemented, and
Whereas, in 2000, an important step in serving those Vermonters for whom
alternative communication methods are essential occurred with the establishment of the
Vermont Communication Task Force, a statewide communication network that works in
coordination with the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living’s
Developmental Disabilities Services Division, and
Whereas, the fundamental tenet of the Task Force is “that all persons are competent,
can communicate, and must receive the support, training and technology needed to
actively participate in all aspects of life,” and
Whereas, the Task Force, with the support of two regional communication
specialists, offers guidance, policy recommendations, research monitoring, and training
on the individual, provider, and State levels, in the context of developmental disabilities
services, and
Whereas, this operational structure is intended to ensure Vermonters receive the
necessary support to communicate through the method of their choice, and
Whereas, it is of the utmost importance that individuals’ communication challenges
not be viewed as indicative of a limitation of their intellectual competence, and
Whereas, the Rapid Prompting Method of communication assistance may be a
beneficial option for assisting individuals to communicate, now therefore be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives:
That this legislative body affirms that all Vermonters are presumed to be competent
to communicate and must be provided effective communication resources of their
choice, and be it further
Resolved: That the Clerk of the House be directed to send a copy of this resolution
to the Vermont Communication Task Force.