Spellingway

10/13/2026

💙A new poem by nonspeaking autistic Luke Verhoeff, after the success of our first UNMUTED event in Kamloops, BC, September 17 2026.

📣
UNMUTED
In the light of a new dawn
Hope emanates across the horizon
Beckoning change
A smile dances from ear to ear
From a soul once left behind
His voice rises
Fiery as the phoenix
Infectious as the plague
The needle inches forward
Bit by bit
Voice by voice
With every inspired CRP*
A new world is imminent.
Unmuted.



*Communication Regulation Practitioner / Provider

10/11/2026

⭐UNMUTED in Kamloops on September 17 was powerful. ⭐

✏️For those that were not able to attend, we'd like to share with you poems Luke, Damon, and Cash wrote; 5x7 prints were gifted at the event.

💙 Please like and share, and help us to continue to bring awareness to spelling on a letterboard as a successful and life-changing communication method for autistic nonspeakers.

🙏🏻Thank you!

📍Stay tuned for upcoming UNMUTED events in the New Year... in Vancouver and Calgary!

10/07/2026

Sandra:

💙Calgary. Blue Sky City. Big Love.

Luke and I often come to Calgary to visit Madison, mentoringminds.ca, the Rapid Prompting Method (RPM) Provider that has been with us, supporting Luke for 3 years. She’s a true gem.

We have found a second family here, with people like Geoff, Sarah, Eric, Mo, Wayne, Tammy, Tommy, and more.

This time, Betty—my sister, Luke’s aunt, and Spellingway’s secretary—joined us. Everything’s better with Betty.

And last night, we made more friends….

📣On behalf of Spellingway, we hosted a Calgary social for nonspeakers, their friends and caregivers and we were gratefully provided free space, free parking and insurance coverage by the amazing Sinneave Foundation (at the University of Calgary). Amy, our liaison, was incredibly hospitable… allowing us to use the flexible “green” room which had moveable tables/chairs and a variety of seating options including a huge pillow and bean bag chairs. There was even a “sensory room” for those who needed a break, as well as access to an equipped kitchen.

🎉 Unbelievable.

Thirty-eight people attended.

38!!!!

Many new faces: nonspeakers, parents, teachers, CEAs, people keen to become CRPs, people who just heard about letterboards, and even just friends (Brenda Jenkyns and her friend Siren came, just to support us! Brenda even provided free nut varieties from her company “GoingNuts.ca”).

Many authentic, understanding, and enlightening conversations.

Plus it was Michael’s 25th birthday, so we HAD to sing “Happy Birthday!”

What. An. Incredible. Night.

Yes, it snows too much in Calgary… but that is made up by the expansive blue and sunny sky, and the kindness of the people.

We look forward to coming back, again and again.

Luke: GREAT TURNOUT AND VIBE. I'M GLAD THERE WERE SOME NEW FACES.

10/01/2026

✨Call for Poems✨

Calling for poetry submissions from all non/minimal/unreliable speakers of diverse abilities from Western Canada who use alternative methods of communication! 🇨🇦

Mentoring Minds in collaboration with Signet Studio is producing volume 3 of Pointed Poetry, a collaborative poetry book highlighting the works of non/minimal/unreliable speakers who use letterboards & keyboards to write poetry. 🔠

Deadline for submissions: November 2, 2026📨

🔗 https://forms.gle/q2jyTqd1Ufdg9oTv6

09/30/2026

📣 Spelling Social event happened in Langley!

Spellingway wants to acknowledge Rana Hayre for hosting an amazing social event at her beautiful home in Langley on Saturday September 19.

There were games, and prizes (donated by Spellingway), delicious food, and amazing friendships and conversations.

Rana: "It turned out to be a great day to have a social. Thank you to all of you who attended. You made it a wonderful get together that needed to happen. It was well worth the smiles on the faces of our kids!"

Our community continues to grow, and we are grateful to Rana for opening her home to spellers, caregivers, and families, and friends.

09/27/2026

📣Spellingway was proud to support a Community Event in Edmonton. This was written by the host, Antigone Oreopoulos:

On September 13, Edmonton’s spelling community gathered for the third annual Sensory-Friendly Outdoor Concert.

The event was born from a comment made by one of our adult spellers, who shared that he wished he could experience live music but found the volume and crowds of traditional concerts inaccessible. That simple comment sparked an idea — and, three years later, the event has become a much-loved annual gathering.

Once again, local Edmonton cover band The Repercussions joined us for the event and did an incredible job creating a fun, welcoming atmosphere for our families.

Each year, Edmonton families who use motor-based communication are invited to attend, along with their allies — including siblings, extended family members, friends, therapists, aides and teachers. This year, a former nanny of one of our spellers, who is now a teacher, attended with a fellow teacher and introduced two new families to the community. It was a wonderful opportunity to build awareness and understanding of motor-based communication in a relaxed, pressure-free environment.

Accessibility and flexibility are an important part of the event. An indoor gym and therapy space, complete with swings and other equipment, was available for anyone who needed a quieter break from the music and outdoor activity. Several of our nonspeaking attendees made use of the space throughout the afternoon.

Along with the live music, families enjoyed snacks and a barbecue, as well as a variety of adapted and accessible activities, including bowling, lawn darts, giant Connect Four, a trampoline, balloon volleyball and badminton, and axe throwing. The parents even ended up in an axe-throwing competition of their own, which resulted in plenty of laughter.

Most importantly, the afternoon gave spellers and families a chance to reconnect, meet new people, dance, relax and enjoy some outstanding live music together.

We are grateful to The Repercussions and Spellingway and to everyone who helped make this year’s event such a welcoming and joyful afternoon for our community.

09/22/2026

Spellingway is coming to Calgary and we would love to meet other Spellers and/or nonspeakers and their caregivers!

Please join us for free refreshments, and a casual social to create community and get to know and support each other.

RSVP by October 2 the number of people and if you have any allergies to [email protected].

Can't wait to meet you on October 5th at the Sinneave Foundation (parking is free with a code / insurance coverage forms must be signed upon arrival).

Please, please share!!! See less

09/19/2026

Look for the UNMUTED event news coverage on the CFJC-TV website. Our clip aired last night!

09/19/2026

Our UNMUTED was covered on the CFJC-TV news last night!

KAMLOOPS - Luke Verhoeff, Damon Kirsebom and Cash Dennis are non-speaking autistic individuals who communicate...

09/19/2026

Our UNMUTED was covered on the CFJC-TV news last night!

https://cfjctoday.com/2026/09/18/unmuted-event-an-opportunity-to-learn-about-spelling-to-communicate-methods/