CommunicationFIRST

seen, be proud, be counted, and be heard. We must show up and advocate. We must do all we individually and collectively can, as if our lives, and those of our parents, brothers and sisters, and sons and daughters depend on it, because… they do.]

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Williams shares the following statement through his speech generating device and a sign language interpreter: The services and supports many of us need to live are being cut and eliminated. Public officials openly mock and question our humanity. So, now more than ever, we must show up, be...

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The work we do to advocate for people with speech-related #disabilities is more important than ever. To celebrate SIX years of hard work, we want to raise $10k by 10/10, our 6th birthday. Share our birthday #fundraiser far and wide so we can meet our goal! lnk.to/pledge

[Video: Bob...

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compilation of video clips of AAC users affiliated with CommunicationFIRST that is published across the two posts in this thread.]

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We’ve spent the last SIX years advocating for everyone with communication #AccessNeeds, such as those from #autism, #aphasia, & any other #disability. In celebration, we want to raise $10k by 10/10, our 6th birthday. Please join our b-day fundraiser today! lnk.to/pledge

[Video: Short…

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closeup of red, white, and blue lights on the roof of a police car.]

[Image: A closeup of red, white, and blue lights on the roof of a police car.]

Last call: take our short survey if you haven't yet! lnk.to/env We want to know your thoughts on #BlueEnvelope programs, programs aimed to reduce misunderstanding between drivers with disabilities & police in a traffic stop. We've been asked what we think about them.

[Image description: A…

Alison Chandra

[Image: Bob Williams wears a plaid hat and glasses. He sits in a powerchair with a microphone near his speech-generating device. Behind him is the US Capitol building.]

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[Image: Bob Williams wears a plaid hat and glasses. He sits in a powerchair with a microphone near his speech-generating device. Behind him is the US Capitol building.]

We spent much of summer rallying. Our Co-Founder Bob Williams gave this address at a 60-Hour #ProtectMedicaid Vigil: lnk.to/prtct. As #Medicaid policy battles continue, try to remind yourself: no matter what is done, can be undone. Keep fighting the good fight with us!

📷: Photo by…

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CommunicationFIRST logo.]

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McLeod smiles at the camera. Next to his image it says, “If my research is used to create more opportunities for people who use AAC to have better options for AAC, mentorship, and peer support, then my dissertation will have done its job. Lateef McLeod.” Below Lateef’s name is the…

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[Image: Lateef McLeod smiles at the camera. Next to his image it says, “If my research is used to create more opportunities for people who use AAC to have better options for AAC, mentorship, and peer support, then my dissertation will have done its job. Lateef McLeod.” Below Lateef’s name is the CommunicationFIRST logo.]

We interviewed Board member Lateef McLeod about his dissertation on #PeerMentorship for people who need & use #AAC. It confirmed the importance of mentorship by us & for us, & of co-creating mentorship spaces #accessible to people who use a variety of AAC. lnk.to/aacphd

[Image: Lateef…

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you’re learning new skills, and you’re developing each and every day something new.”]

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speakers arranged in two rows: Rebecca Salon, Donna and Ricardo Thornton, Bob Williams, Bre Mercier, and a sign language interpreter. All look somber. Ricardo Thornton says, “You didn’t do a crime and shouldn’t be doing time. You should be living in a community where you are free, and…

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People with #disabilities don’t want to live in #institutions. Two survivors of #ForestHaven, an infamous D.C. institution, told their stories during our webinar: lnk.to/fhweb. Hear from Ricardo and Donna Thornton on one of the worst US cases of #InstitutionalAbuse.

[Video: A panel of Zoom…

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Critically important information, wonderful to see the complete special issue is now freely available! See link in original post

[Image: AAC users Lateef McLeod (left) and Lance McLemore (right) present on stage at the Future of AAC Research Summit in May 2024. Lateef and Lance type on communication devices. Across from them, the backs of two audience members’ heads are visible. They appear to be listening attentively.]

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[Image: AAC users Lateef McLeod (left) and Lance McLemore (right) present on stage at the Future of AAC Research Summit in May 2024. Lateef and Lance type on communication devices. Across from them, the backs of two audience members’ heads are visible. They appear to be listening attentively].

The journal of #AugmentativeAndAlternativeCommunication published papers from our Future of #AACResearchSummit! Nearly all of the 21 papers are authored or co-authored by someone who uses #AAC. Access these papers & watch many of the authors present here: lnk.to/aacfr. 📷: Photo by Steven Sutfin

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#TheRideAhead made its New York premiere at @docnycfest.bsky.social presented in partnership with ReelAbilities. Now, the film is available to stream for FREE on PBS through September 19!

Stream The Ride Ahead: rideaheadfilm.com/watchpbs
Watch the full Q&A: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdTq...

flashing is pulled over behind an SUV. The cars are on a busy city street in the evening, with many streetlights and other lights in the background.]

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A police car with lights flashing is pulled over behind an SUV. The cars are on a busy city street in the evening, with many streetlights and other lights in the background.

Please let us know what you think about #BlueEnvelope programs here: lnk.to/env (by 9/29). We were asked what we think of these programs, which are designed to reduce misunderstanding between drivers with #disabilities and police during traffic stops.

[Image: A police car with lights…

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Thank you for boosting!!

Community Survey on Blue Envelope Programs CommunicationFIRST has been asked what we think about "Blue Envelope" programs. These programs in some states and counties have been created to try to reduce misunderstanding between drivers with disa...

"Blue Envelope" programs have been created in some states and counties to try to reduce misunderstanding between drivers with disabilities and police, during traffic stops. @communicationfirst.bsky.social created a survey to hear what you think about these programs:

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Picture of (left to right) Tracy Rackensperger, Cynthia Blasko, Grant Blasko, and Kevin Williams. Screenshot of text that reads “Establishing a shared understanding of the strategies, techniques, and skills of successful AAC users could challenge ableist expectations while fostering group solidarity.”

Grant Blasko is 22 years old, autistic, a full-time user of AAC, and a university student. His paper, “Unveiling underlying systemic isolation challenges for AAC users”, is free at
doi.org/10.1080/0743...
@communicationfirst.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social

Picture of endever* corbin. Screenshot of text that reads “I want everyone who struggles with speech – no, every disabled person period – no, every single human – to have an opportunity to explore multiple robust, culturally and linguistically appropriate, queer-friendly AAC options.” (corbin, 2025) corbin, endever*. (2025). Speech is exhausting. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2513907

endever* describes their “meaningful participation in society as a semispeaking AAC user, the importance of self-determination and interdependence, and the critical role of participatory research.”
Free at AAC journal doi.org/10.1080/0743...
@communicationfirst.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social

Picture of Jordyn Zimmerman presenting at the Future of AAC Research Summit, and text that reads “There must be deep understanding around our needs, desires, and pain points—with the goal of designing and developing in ways that efficiently address them." Beyond access: the intersecting role of AAC, literacy, and technology Zimmerman (2025)

Jordyn Zimmerman calls for “a more user-centered design approach across the board—where AAC users are not merely participants, but leaders…”
Free at doi.org/10.1080/0743...
@communicationfirst.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social

A group of medically complex children pose with House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi

A group of medically complex children pose with House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, with Bob Williams in the foreground, looking on

Tauna Szymanski and Bob Williams pose with the US Capitol in the background

A large sheet cake with the Little Lobbyists logo.

CommunicationFIRST was thrilled and honored to help our amazing partner @Little Lobbyists help celebrate its 8th birthday this morning with House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi!

#CancelTheCuts
#ProtectMedicaid

Picture of Ren Koloni, screenshot of text that reads “To be denied expression of the self should be unimaginable, but it is not. It is happening. It is our responsibility as researchers, as advocates, and as people to not only imagine it, but to find out why, how, where, when, and in what ways it happens—and to make it right” abstract, and link to article at Koloni, R. (2025). To include us in our own worlds: AAC is not optional. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2515283

Ren Koloni (2025): "...the vast majority of people who cannot rely on speech alone to be heard and understood still lack meaningful access to effective communication...”
Free at AAC Journal
doi.org/10.1080/0743...
@communicationfirst.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social

Picture of Janice Light and Jordyn Zimmerman, screenshot of text that reads “There is a long history of communities, marginalized by race, ethnicity, disability, gender, etc., that have called for leadership roles and full participation in all activities undertaken about them. Now is the time for the AAC field to fully embrace this challenge.” Blasko et al. (2025) Citation that reads Blasko, G., Light, J., McNaughton, D., Williams, B., & Zimmerman, J. (2025). Nothing about AAC users without AAC users: a call for meaningful inclusion in research, technology development, and professional training. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2514748

Blasko, Light, McNaughton, Williams & Zimmerman: "people who need or use AAC must be leaders and co-creators in all activities that are about them or impact them"
Free at AAC journal
doi.org/10.1080/0743...
@communicationfirst.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social

Picture of Pancho and excerpt of text from his article in the AAC journal

Pancho Ramirez (2025) describes his evolving use of AAC, and the importance of supporting communication with family members (in multiple languages!)
Now free at the AAC journal
doi.org/10.1080/0743...
@communicationfirst.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social