July 26, 2023
Finding My Voice
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Features
Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1 CLASSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3 Moore On Life, Lifestyle & Crossword. Pg. F-4 Submitted photos Variety St. Louis has launched a new St. Charles County initiative that addresses the frustration, isolation, and helplessness felt by those who are unable to communicate verbally. Variety’s My Voice program provides communication devices to local children who qualify who do not have consistent access to this critical technology. My Voice is currently available to children ages three to 20 years old in St. Louis City and St. Charles County.
Variety’s My Voice program provides communication devices to local children who do not have consistent access to this critical technology By Brett Auten A world where abilities are redefined, and possibilities are reimagined for those with special needs, Variety St. Louis is doing its part to bring this ethos to fruition as it rolls out a new initiative for those in St. Charles County The program is now available to help those who need assistance to express their wants, needs and feelings every day. The initiative addresses the tribulations felt by children who are unable to communicate verbally. While some (depending on the school district) can use communication
devices at school or during speech therapy, often they do not own them, leaving many kids literally voiceless in the evenings, on weekends and during the summer. Between costly communication devices and even communications apps designed for tablets, the payments are not affordable for many families. With My Voice, Variety provides eligible participants with the device, the prescribed communication app, a protective case and any necessary accessories (wheelchair mount and more), and a two-year warranty. Variety works with the child’s speech-language pathologist to determine which spe-
cific tools will meet the child’s needs and to help integrate the device into the child’s everyday life. My Voice is currently available to children ages three to 20 years old in St. Louis City and St. Charles County. “The costs vary, but the baseline model, before even putting on the apps, is around $5,000, minimum, with the apps being $2-300,” Brian Roy, executive director of Variety St. Louis, said. “We realized they needed the whole package. This is a critical tool and this way the family doesn’t have to worry if they have enough.” Variety’s My Voice program provides See ‘VOICE’ page 2
Serving St. Louis, St. Charles and Lincoln Counties | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 25 No. 30 | 636-379-1775
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