Communication exclusion stems from inequities in the development of communication skills, where certain groups—particularly children from low-income, ethnic minority, and disabled communities—become disenfranchised because existing structural systems allocate power to groups who adhere to communication norms. Research shows that there exists a significant socio-economic gap in language exposure, with children from wealthier families hearing millions more words annually than children from lower-income families, which directly impacts linguistic development and school performance (Hart & Risley, 1995). 

For my critical civic-engagement project, I am partnering with The Collaborative for Educational Services to help address these inequities by serving children and families most impacted by communication exclusion. By using publicity strategies like social media and newsletters, I’m performing community outreach to inform families about the availability of resources such as the Early Literacy Program, Strong Foundations for Young Children, and Parent Support Groups. Through this project, I am improving my own verbal and creative communication skills. I am drawing from my own experiences as a Chinese American, where my way of communicating was often unacknowledged and undervalued. Eager to explore these inequities and continue implementing strategies to address them in future communities, I look forward to encouraging families and their children to take back the power that was taken from them by educational and political systems which perpetuate communication exclusion.