Hi All:

The House public hearing for HB1553 has been set for this coming Monday, January 22nd, starting at 9:30am in LOB 205-207.

HB1553 would require the Department of Education to establish the spelling to communicate pilot program offering "Spelling to Communicate" (S2C) services to students with autism and/or apraxia. Under the program, any parent may apply on forms provided by the Department for a grant of up to $4,500 per fiscal year. The grants will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Talking Points

This is your opportunity to let legislators know the impact that Spelling to Communicate may have on you and/or your family member. For example, if you are using S2C now:

• What breakthroughs in communication have you seen?
• How has the ability to communicate changed your relationship?
• How has the ability to communicate improved behaviors?
• What new opportunities have emerged for your family member?

Template for Testimony

The following is an example template to indicate support for the bill. You are welcome to write your own testimony from scratch to indicate your position. If you use the template, replace the words in italics with your information.

Date

Dear Chairman Ladd and Members of the House Education Committee,

My name is Your Name and I live in Town, NH. I am asking you to SUPPORT HB1553 and the creation of a pilot program to offer "Spelling to Communicate" (S2C) services to students with autism or apraxia. Communication is a fundamental right.

I want to tell you a bit about (myself/my family member). (Share a brief paragraph about yourself or family member and specific examples of how S2C has had an impact on you and your family member. If you are creating the testimony using Microsoft Word or other word processing software, consider providing a picture with a photograph of yourself or family member communicating using S2C.)

Thank you, Chairman Ladd and Members of the Education Committee, for considering my testimony. I urge you to SUPPORT HB1553 and the creation of a pilot program offering "Spelling to Communicate" (S2C) services to students with autism and/or apraxia. This will help (me/my family member) live a full, inclusive, and productive life.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Your Address

Attending In Person

The hearing is in LOB 205-207 this coming Monday, January 22nd, starting at 9:30am. Plan to arrive EARLY and be prepared to pay for parking. If you can, please make 19 copies of your testimony to give to the committee.

If you plan on speaking, please also review our testimony tips to help you give the most effective testimony possible. Practice ahead of time to keep your testimony short and concise - you will only have 3 minutes to speak. Ideally you should not read from your written testimony; it is perfectly acceptable if your spoken testimony is not identical to your written testimony.

The address for the Legislative Office Building (LOB) is 33 N State St, Concord, NH 03301, and the hearing is on the second floor in room 205-207.

CLICK HERE for downtown Concord parking information.

Submitting Testimony Online

To register your opinion online, fill out this form - it takes less than a minute:

• Step 1: Fill out your personal information
• Step 2: Select Monday, January 22nd
• Step 3:
• Select the Committee: "Education"
• Choose the Bill: "9:30am - HB1553"
• I am: "A Member of the Public"
• I'm Representing: "Myself"
• Indicate Your Position on this Bill
• Step 4: Upload your testimony
• Step 5: Submit your testimony

Viewing the Hearing

You can watch the hearing live on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NHHouseofRepresentatives

Please let me know if you need help writing your testimony and thank you for your advocacy,

Will