• a teenage light skinned boy with freckles, wearing a black jacket, blue and white striped sweater, pink collared shirt is standing in front of large columns and steps that lead to the Lincoln Memorial

All the people saw my intelligence. No test first.

My family saw. I had hopeful times . Tracy invited me home to Vermont to learn . I went to ICI to learn. All the people saw my intelligence . No test first. It was very free. I never had many people understand. To wait. To listen. Not outside home. I did not want to go back to people unknowing. I read more words from typers watching my movie to feel community. Full presentation here

Inclusion, Communication and Civil Rights

"Learning is easy when the teacher knows you can learn. " Henry Frost

Reason # 202 Why You Should Come to See Wretches & Jabberers Next Weekend..

The incredible soundtrack. J. Ralph, recently nominated for an Academy Award for his song, Before My Time, for the documentary Chasing Ice, composed and performed the songs in this incredible documentary, He is joined by some of the most talented folks in music.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay Stand Up for Inclusion

Presented and discussed will be the importance of inclusion and friendship for youth with disabilities. The cast and of the acclaimed feature documentary, Wretches & Jabberers will be joined by The National Center on Inclusive Education’s Mary Schuh, PhD, and Tampa advocate, 13 year old, Henry Frost.

April and Autism Acceptance at Tampa Theatre

Get your advocacy on. April and Autism Acceptance is in Tampa. The rock stars of disability advocacy- Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette- are back.

Ollibean Art for Change at USF: April. Autism. Advocacy. Acceptance.

A day of inclusive education, community acceptance, and self-advocacy at USF with Academy Award Winning Director and Stars of the Acclaimed Documentary Wretches & Jabberers, NCIE's Mary Schuh, PhD, and Tampa advocate Henry Frost. CARD (The Center for Autism and Related Disorders) at the University of South Florida) will host at USF's Marshall Hall.

What We Must Learn From History About Inclusion

Wretches & Jabberers | Tracy's Blog The big typing of my friends, Kris and Scott, is a compelling argument for inclusion for all people. I met a young film maker, Adrian Esposito at a self- advocacy conference in Albany, NY last fall. Adrian made a film “We Can Shine-From Institutions to Independence.” Jeanette and I connected with Adrian and his Mom. My friends and I recently gathered to watch this history of moving to community life. Dayna and Jeanette looked nervously at each other like it was too much for my young typing pals and me to watch. I think

  • Woman with brown hair and white skin holding a painting by Larry Bissonette.

Advice from Someone Who Has Been There

I love Larry Bissonnette- artist and disability rights activist. If you have seen Wretches & Jabberers or My Life as an Artist, or seen Larry present- I'm sure you are right there with me. His paintings are extraordinary, his words brilliant, and his wit and personality beyond wonderful. He is an exceptional person I feel privledged to call friend. We have been lucky enough to spend a lot of time with Larry; a weekend at our home in Tampa, a week in Vermont (where we were able to visit Larry's studio and watch him create his paintings) and numerous conferences

Henry’s Road to Inclusion Part 1

Henry met Tracy, Larry, Harvey Lavoy, and Pascal Cheng on June 9, 2011. It was a very special day, one that would change Henry's life forever.

UNH IOD Standing With Henry

But after watching Wretches and Jabberers, a film about autism and self-advocacy, Henry’s way of interacting with the world changed radically. He realized that he had a voice, could use it, and had a right to participate in discussions about his education and life.

  • woman reading a book in lounge chair with ocean in background

Ollibean Mama Spotlight

Connect and learn with other parents like Tonya who presume competence and celebrate their children for being exactly who they are. #allofakind

Change Leader: Larry Bissonette

Our first Change Leader is artist and disability rights advocate, Larry Bissonnette. Larry's art, writing, presentations, and films are changing perceptions about disability around the world. His quote in Wretches & Jabberers, "More like you than not" says it all.

Larry Bissonnette featured on National Geographic

The amazingly talented artist Larry Bissonnette, of Wretches Jabberers, will be featured on an upcoming episode of the National Geographic TV program, Taboo.Check it out.

Douglas Biklen: “Begin by presuming competence”

"Presuming competence is nothing less than a Hippocratic oath for educators. " Douglas Biklen

Stories From The Road | Chapter Eight | “On Common Ground”

"On Common Ground": While in Houston to speak to teens at "Stand Up! For Inclusion" a conference aimed at inspiring youth to make a difference in the world, Larry takes time to exchange creative ideas with a young artist.

Stories From The Road | Chapter Thirteen | “The End Of The Road”

"The End Of The Road": Larry and Tracy take time to reflect on their spiritual journey of disability awareness as they prepare for the theatrical premiere if their film, "Wretches & Jabberers" in New York City.

Stories From The Road | Chapter Nine | “Lightning Rods”

"Lightning Rods": The Vermonters meet up with Stephen Kuusisto, author of "Planet of the Blind". He interviews Larry and Tracy about the journey they took while making "Wretches & Jabberers" and shares a few insights of his own about his disability.

Stories From The Road | Chapter Ten | “Apple Store Adventures”

"Apple Store Adventures": While in New York City to promote the theatrical release of the film, the Vermonters take an opportunity to visit the Apple Store and try out the new iPad 2.

Stories From The Road | Chapter Seven | “Stand Up! For Inclusion”

"Stand Up! For Inclusion": Larry, Tracy, Harvey & Pascal speak to teens in Houston at the 26th Annual BBYO Lonestar Convention. The theme of this year's convention is "Stand Up! For Inclusion" to inspire youth to make a difference in the world around them.

Stories From The Road | Chapter Twelve | “All That’s Newsworthy”

From our friends at Stories from the Road, "All That's Newsworthy": Larry and Tracy join director Gerardine Wurzburg on the WPIX Channel 11 Morning News to discuss the upcoming theatrical release of their documentary 'Wretches & Jabberers'. The guys get the star treatment as they share their experiences with anchor Jim Watkins.

Stories From The Road | Chapter Eleven | “Teaching The Teachers”

"Teaching The Teachers": The Vermonters are invited to speak at Teachers College at Columbia University. A subway ride brings them to their destination as they find open minds, caring hearts, and an invitation for beer!

Stories From The Road | Chapter Six | “Mile-High Marvels”

"Mile-High Marvels": Larry, Tracy, Harvey & Pascal are asked to speak about their experiences making "Wretches & Jabberers" at the 35th Annual TASH Conference held in Denver, Colorado.

Stories From The Road | Chapter Five | “A Small World After All”

More from the amazing W & J and State of the Art/Dan Curl. "A Small World After All": Tracy invites Finnish friends Henna and Antti to join him at his monthly task force meeting at Community Developmental Services in Barre, VT. Here other people with autism advocate for people with communication challenges, quality of life initiatives, and increase public awareness.

Stories From The Road | Chapter Four | “Breakfast at Larry’s”

From our friends at Wretches & Jabberers, "Breakfast at Larry's": Larry invites visiting international friends Chammi, Antti & Henna to his home for a traditional Vermonter breakfast. With the help of his sister Sally, Larry hosts a meal not soon forgotten!

Stories From The Road | Chapter Three | “Wretches Reunite”Stories From The Road | Chapter Three | “Wretches Reunite”

"Wretches & Jabberers" co-stars from Finland and Sri Lanka descend upon Burlington, Vermont to visit Larry and Tracy and discuss how the film has impacted their lives.

Stories From The Road | Chapter One | “A Night With The Stars”

"A Night With The Stars": Larry, Tracy, Harvey & Pascal take to the road to promote a new documentary titled "Wretches & Jabberers" following their recent "World Intelligence Magnified Tour". Their first stop is Syracuse, NY where they meet with the Disability Cultural Center Initiative at Syracuse University and answer questions about the film.

Stories From The Road | Chapter Two | “Syracuse International Film Festival”

"Syracuse International Film Festival": Larry, Tracy, Harvey & Pascal on the road to promoting "Wretches & Jabberers" following their recent "World Intelligence Magnified Tour". Their second stop was Syracuse, NY is to present the film and their personal narratives at the Syracuse International Film Festival.

Institute on Communication and Inclusion

The Institute on Communication and Inclusion (ICI) is a research and training center that is part of the Inclusion Institutes of the School of Education at Syracuse University. Formerly the Facilitated Communication Insitute, our new name - the Institute on Communication and Inclusion - represents a broadened focus developed over the past 20 years, reflecting lines of research, training and public dissemination that focus on school and community inclusion, narratives of disability and ability, and disability rights, as well as research and training on faciltiated communication. Its initiatives stress the important relationship of communication to inclusion.   Led by Director

Wretches & Jabberers Tampa Screening

The " World Intelligence Magnified Tour" took Tampa by storm. The screenings of Wretches & Jabberers the weekend of June 10 were an enormous success.

Ollibean Art for Change: Wretches & Jabberers Screening and Q & A at Tampa Theatre

Academy Award winner, Gerardine Wurzburg's documentary, "Wretches & Jabberers ", Screening and Q & A at Tampa Theatre . The rockstars of self advocacy, Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette take Tampa by storm, shattering misconceptions of autism and intelligence.

Wretches and Jabberers at Tampa Museum of Art

Academy Award winner, Gerardine Wurzburg's documentary, "Wretches & Jabberers ", Screening and Q & A at Tampa Theatre . The rockstars of self advocacy, Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette take Tampa by storm, shattering misconceptions of autism and intelligence.

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