Empowering Kids Through Communication
Can you imagine what life would be like for a child who couldn’t talk? How would they tell someone if they’re hurt and what’s hurting? If they’re thirsty or hungry? To joke with friends or say “I love you” to parents? Or simply share their thoughts and feelings?
Many children in our community are voiceless because they do not have access to a communication device. While some kids can use devices at school or during speech therapy, they do not own them and often cannot take them home in the evenings, on weekends, and over the summer. At more than $1,000, many families cannot afford the costly device and the prescribed communication app. Without this critical assistive technology, many children cannot express their wants, their needs, or their feelings.
Variety St. Louis wants to help children who cannot be heard!
Finding a Voice
Variety has launched the My Voice® program to provide communication devices to eligible children living with a communication disorder to give them a voice at all times.
Variety provides a device restricted exclusively for communication in collaboration with the child’s Speech-Language Pathologist.
Participants receive the device, the prescribed communication app, a protective case, any necessary accessories (e.g. a wheelchair mount), and a two-year warranty.
Who Is Eligible?
Variety’s My Voice® program is available to residents of St. Louis City and St. Charles County. Variety is currently piloting an expansion of the program to children living in the Jennings, Hazelwood, Ferguson-Florissant, and Riverview Gardens districts.
The program is designed for individuals, ages 3-20, who have a communication disorder documented by a licensed/certified Speech-Language Pathologist.
Applicants must provide a Letter of Medical Justification along with all other required documentation, including demonstrated financial need. Variety prioritizes those with an Adjusted Gross Income of $85,000 or less and will consider applications above that threshold on an individual basis.
My Voice® in the News
Variety is spreading the word about this new, innovative program that is unlocking the voices of children throughout the St. Louis region.