Aphasia can impact many areas of communication, including the voting process. Voting requires a person to use reading comprehension (voter card) or listening comprehension (following multiple step directions).

 

MnCAN participants use the life participation approach to aphasia in our programs. Participating in life is both fulfilling and necessary; this includes being an active citizen through voting if voting was something important to the person before aphasia. Voting is a part of our identity. 

 

More information on voting with aphasia:

  1. National Aphasia Association: https://aphasia.org/stories/voting-for-people-with-aphasia/
  2. US Vote Foundation: https://www.usvotefoundation.org/disability-voting-aphasia
  3. ASHA WIRE: https://leader.pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/leader.OTP.21092016.38

 

Tips for voting:

  • Print out pictures of candidates and include their names so you can match the picture to the name on your voting card
  • Bring a helper to vote
  • Request an absentee ballot so you can vote at home 
  • Ask the poll workers or voting judge to be patient with you
  • Bring your aphasia communication pocket card to explain aphasia
  • Request accommodations from the voting judge. Ask to sit down if needed.
  • Vote early
 

What year did you join MnCAN?

"I joined MnCAN in October 2023 because MnCAN was strongly promoted to me by my neurologist and my other providers at the Health Partners Neuroscience Center. In September 2023 I had the diagnosis of my aphasia and during my several appointments during September I was asked if I had joined MnCAN because all of my providers discussed that it is very important to help my Aphasia."

What are your hobbies and interests?

"My biggest hobby is taking a run almost every day in the beautiful parks all around the Twin Cities.  I learned where to go using trail maps that all the parks provide and having done several times I now know where to go. My other interest is being a member of a Book Club and reading is another great way for me to improve my language understanding." 

What do you enjoy most about MnCAN?

"It is terrific to talk with other individuals that have aphasia because they understand if I am unable to remember the right language. In addition the leader of our meetings provides very great information about Aphasia and also helps all of us to have great conversations. The conversations during our meetings have had a great improvement of my ability to talk."

What do you want people to know about aphasia?

"Aphasia has an impact on individuals' ability to remember words to talk to either one person or a few people. Before I started working on improvement with MnCAN, I had a tough time to join conversations at social situations and I would feel terrible.  While everyone talked I didn’t at all and they thought I was ignoring them. Since I had my aphasia diagnosis I have explained it to all my friends and family, and they now help me to improve my language. How to get language help from friends and family was taught to me by MnCAN."

 
  • The 12-week Fall session is underway. We have a record number of participants in our programs this Fall. 
 

Give to the Max is a state-wide giving campaign that has become a tradition in Minnesota. This year Give to the Max happens on November 21st but giving towards this campaign opens on November 1st. 

 

MnCAN has a special focus for donations to our organization during Give to the Max this year:

 

Funding program participant scholarships and support groups

 

Each year MnCAN gives over $10,000 in scholarships so our participants experiencing significant financial need can join our programs.

 

We also offer 4 different support groups and a coffee club group for people with aphasia that are free of charge to participants. Our costs for these groups are covered by our generous donors. All dollars raised during the upcoming Give to the Max Day will directly go to our program funds for scholarships and support groups/coffee club. 

 

The MnCAN Board of Directors is looking to add 2 board members. Our current board has a diverse background and we are looking to add to the team.

If you are interested in learning more, please email us at contact@mncan.org. 

 

Some of our MnCAN aphasia conversation groups also incorporate meaningful and functional language activities.

Some of the language activities are things you also could do together at home.

Check out these sample ideas:

- Share a favorite recipe

- Share a hobby

- Picture Bingo

- Pictionary

- Jeopardy

All of these activities incorporate the Life Participation Approach and Supported Conversation to Aphasia to ensure our participants with aphasia are supported in participating in life and communicating in whatever way works best!

Thank for you for taking the time to read our updates!

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