About the FCI

Established 1992
Syracuse University School of Education

Facilitated Communication is an alternative means of expression for people who cannot speak or whose speech is highly limited (echoed, limited to one or a few word utterances) and who cannot point reliably.

Research:

• Strategies for enabling individuals to become independent in their typing
• Methods for confirming authorship of typed communication
• Parent/family experiences with the method.
• The relationship between facilitated communication and speech development
• Autobiographies of people with disabilities who use facilitated communication
• Self-determination and participation
• Inclusive schooling and community living

Training:

The institute provides introductory training, skills enhancement, and technical assistance for families and professionals interested in learning facilitated communication. Introductory level training consists of foundational and how-to workshops.

Click here for more information on training. 

Public Education:

The institute is committed to providing the most recent information about facilitated communication to the public

• Publications: Faculty, graduate students, and staff produce research articles and books that explicate facilitated communication.
• Training manuals and guides: Developed by national trainers, our manuals and guides are designed to be used by both professionals and parents.
• Training videotapes: Series of five training tapes, produced by academy award winning documentary film makers, focus on different age groups and progressive stages of independence.
• Documentaries: Film accounts of individuals who learned to communicate with facilitation, including one documentary about the artist, Larry Bissonnette, and another about a student, Jamie Burke, who developed the ability to speak before and as he types.
• Speakers: Members of the Institute regularly hold informational seminars for parents, professional groups, and agencies.  

The web site contains comprehensive information about the Institute, including a current schedule of upcoming activities, the full text of facilitated communication conference keynote speeches by facilitated communication users, and an interactive page to submit questions or to be put on the Institute's mailing list.

The work of the FCI would not be possible without the financial support of our contributors, including both private individuals and foundations. We would especially like to acknowledge the key support provided by the Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation and the Hussman Foundation.