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International Day of Persons with Disabilities

    In celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, we have created a poster series featuring speech and debate coaches and alumni! In addition, you’ll find a literature collection featuring stories by or about persons with disabilities below.

    Poster Series

    Click each image below to view individual posters, or download the complete set.
    Know an alum the NSDA should feature in the future? Email us!

    Person With Disabilities Poster Series
    "SOME SAY THAT SPEECH AND DEBATE HAS CHANGED THEIR LIVES, BUT IT’S STILL CHANGING MINE DAY BY DAY." - Jarrius Adams
    Jarrius Adams
    "SPEECH AND DEBATE GAVE ME AN OUTLET FOR MY COMPETITIVE SPIRIT. PARTICIPATING IN IT FOR FOUR YEARS, COUNTLESS TOURNAMENTS, GOING TO STATE AND NATIONALS, REALLY HELPED TO SHARPEN MY ACADEMIC AND SPEAKING SKILLS THAT I WILL USE FOREVER." - Alistair Tollar
    Alistair Tollar
    "SPEECH AND DEBATE PROVIDED ME WITH THE SKILLS TO FORMULATE EFFECTIVE ARGUMENTS, WHICH TRANSLATED INTO THE ABILITY TO ADVOCATE FOR MYSELF AND BE A VOICE FOR DISABILITY RIGHTS. AS A COACH I BELIEVE IN GIVING STUDENTS TOOLS THEY CAN USE TO FIND THEIR OWN PATH, WHEREVER THAT MAY LEAD." - Jan Friedman-Pizzo
    Jan Friedman-Pizzo
    "SPEECH AND DEBATE WAS MY SAFE PLACE. FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE I FELT LIKE I BELONGED ON EARTH. I WASN’T AFRAID TO BE SEEN AND HEARD. I FELT UNSTOPPABLE; EVEN I COULDN’T STOP ME." - Sasha Bogan
    Sasha Bogan
    "JOINING THE SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM IN HIGH SCHOOL PROVIDED ME A COMMUNITY WILLING TO OVERLOOK MY DIFFERENCES AND ALLOWED ME TO GROW INTELLECTUALLY BY USING MY VOICE. AS A COACH, I HOPE TO PROVIDE MY STUDENTS WITH THE SAME WELCOMING COMMUNITY AND A PLATFORM ON WHICH THEY CAN EFFECT CHANGE THROUGH COMMUNICATION." - Meg Howell-Haymaker
    Meg Howell-Haymaker
    "DOING SPEECH AND DEBATE WAS A TRULY PRICELESS AND FUN TIME I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR. IT PROVIDED ME A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT TO EXPRESS MYSELF WHEN I WAS GOING THROUGH A LOT OF TRANSITION, SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION, AND DISCOVERING WHO I WAS." - Marie Burke
    Marie Burke
    "SPEECH AND DEBATE IS SOMETHING TO WHICH I OWE MY LIFE. I’M FOREVER THANKFUL FOR THE MEMORIES I’VE SHARED, FRIENDS I’VE MADE, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY HAS HAD FOR ME." - Loc Nguyen

    Loc Nguyen

    Download All Posters

    NSDA Poster Template

    You can make your own posters featuring current students, coaches, or alumni from your program! Download the template below and follow the instructions to start creating.

    This resource is provided under the framework of our Honor Society. We ask that you please feature individuals who live by our Code of Honor.

    Get the Template

    Additional Resources

    We’re constantly striving to make speech and debate a more inclusive activity. You can download our free resources below to help make your team and your tournaments a safe and welcoming space for all.
    International Day of Persons with Disabilities Image
    Presentation: Ensuring Access to Speech and Debate for Students with Disabilities
    Article: Ensuring Access to Speech and Debate for Students with Disabilities
    Universal Design Powerpoint Template
    Will I Stutter? How One Alum Built a New Paradigm of Confidence
    Accessible Tournament Checklist
    Etiquette for Working wIth Students With Disabilities
    Conscious Style Guide
    Speech Disorder Resources for College Students

    Coaches and teachers, visit the NSDA’s online learning platform, NSDA Learn, to find free courses on:

    Engaging and Mentoring Students with Disabilities

    Engaging and Mentoring Students with Disabilities

    Enroll Now!
    A Philosophical Perspective on Equity and Inclusion

    A Three-Part Rostrum Series on Promoting Opportunities or Persons with Disabilities in the Speech and Debate Community.

    Rostrum: Volume 95, Issue 1 Sept/Oct 2020
    Part One
    Rostrum: Problem Solvers Volume 95, Issue 2 Nov/Dec 2020
    Part Two
    Rostrum: Volume 95, Issue 3 Feb/Mar 2021
    Part Three

    We believe educators featuring topics, themes, and issues that impact an assortment of peoples and our society at large can create more informed global citizens and a space where students feel heard, welcomed, and encouraged to learn. Visit our Diversity and Inclusion page for specific competitive resources to diversify the subject matter at your tournament, classroom, or practice.

    Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month
    Celebrate Pride Month
    Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
    Celebrate Women's History Month
    Celebrate Black History Month
    Celebrate Native American Heritage Month
    Diversity and Inclusion Resources