About Us
Our Mission
To unlock voices, to foster friendships, and to promote lives of purpose for non speaking, minimally speaking, and/or unreliably speaking teens and adults.
What We Offer
Real Voices of Philadelphia is a nonprofit learning group offering education and social connection for non-speakers. Young adults who type and spell to communicate gather to practice supported communication in an educational setting that offers lots of opportunities for cross talk. Real Voices believes that dis-regulated movements (such as spinning, grabbing, flapping, lack of eye contact or facial expression, and inability to generate meaningful speech) do not in any way indicate a lack of mental acuity. We presume competence - that is, we assume that under any behaviors is a perfectly intelligent being.
Our Story
Real Voices began as a dream that Owen Simons and his parents Wystan and Edward had, for a place that would be an academic and social bridge to the rest of the world. Owen was presumed intellectually disabled until May of 2018, when his voice was freed.
Summer Sessions
Marine Biology and Short Stories with Discussion Group.
WHO: Meghan Shupp
WHEN: Fridays: 10-12pm - June7, June 21, July 12, July 19, August 2, August 23
WHERE: Bryn Athyn, PA 19009
COST: $170
Available Outings
End of Year Celebration Picnic!
WHEN: Friday June 7, 2024 • 12-1pm
WHERE: Bryn Athyn, PA 19009
MORE ACTIVITIES TO KNOW ABOUT
RealVoices Group Activites:
Thursdays 10-12. - Swim (and sauna) with a group at the Willow Grove YMCA, 3300 Davisville Rd, Hatboro, PA.
Wednesdays 4-4:30 - Group CrossFit at Central Bucks CrossFit - 1800 Mearns Road, Warminster, PA. $40 per month.
Wednesdays 10-10:30am - Volunteer Opportunity - at Somerton Food Bank. Meet up to buy groceries (your contribution) and to deliver them. Sommerton Interfaith Food Bank, 510 Sommerton Ave, Philadelphia, PA (off Bustleton Ave).