CommunicationFIRST

[Image: Young children sit at a circular school table and paint. A teacher sits with them, smiling at one of the paintings.]

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[Image: Young children sit at a circular school table and paint. A teacher sits with them, smiling at one of the paintings.]

Every student deserves to be safe at school. House & Senate leaders reintroduced the Keeping All Students Safe Act to protect students from #seclusion & dangerous #restraint in school. Learn how to help & learn about KASSA’s impact on our community here: lnk.to/KASSAblog @copaafape.bsky.social

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Medicaid: The Quiet Force Behind My Independence Guest Blog by Marisa Conners

Medicaid matters because it "enables me to oversee my own caregivers—including friends and other people I trust. That control matters deeply. It means I am not just receiving care; I am directing my life." -Marisa Conners with @communicationfirst.bsky.social:

communicationfirst.org/medicaid-the...

I’m autistic and have a brain injury. ICE dragged me from my car anyway. Exclusive Details: Aliya Rahman speaks to Eric Garcia about her ordeals — on the streets of Minneapolis, in a grim ICE detention center where she was mocked over her condition and through the public t...

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...

YouTube video by PBS NewsHour WATCH: Minneapolis resident and U.S. citizen Aliya Rahman describes being detained by ICE

“I was denied a communication navigator when my speech began to slur… When I became unable to speak, my cellmate pleaded for me.” Watch Aliya Rahman’s testimony about her experience being detained by #ICE.

illustration of Pancho Ramirez smiling. He sits in a wheelchair with a robotic arm and a phone attached at each side, and wears a CommunicationFIRST shirt.]

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[Image: A generative AI illustration of Pancho Ramirez smiling. He sits in a wheelchair with a robotic arm and a phone attached at each side, and wears a CommunicationFIRST shirt.]

Wiki Education gave a shout-out to our Board Director Pancho Ramirez for his work filling in #disability content gaps on Wikipedia: lnk.to/Panchowiki. He is an #AACUser who communicates using an airmouse or a laser pointer and letter board. @wikieducation.bsky.social

[Image: A generative AI…

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Conners wears a sparkling pink formal dress & poses in front of a background filled with golden lights, stars, & orbs.]

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[Image: Marisa Conners wears a sparkling pink formal dress & poses in front of a background filled with golden lights, stars, & orbs.]

#DisabilityAdvocate, #AACUser, & fashionista, Marisa Conners, says her #Medicaid #HCBS waiver ensures her “needs & preferences are respected,” & it enables her to advocate & create in ways that align with her communication style. Learn how in her guest blog. lnk.to/marisa

[Image: Marisa...

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Such a great resource! Definitely check this out for tips for AAC users and allies to do policy advocacy!

Habib, Jordyn Zimmerman, Toby Latham, Dean Strauss, Bob Williams.”]

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101 for AAC Users and Allies is written in bold lettering. Above the title is a screenshot of Angelica Vega smiling with the CommunicationFIRST logo behind her. Below the title are a screenshot of Samuel Habib smiling and a circle that contains the words, “Webinar with: Angelica Vega, Samuel…

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[Image: Policy Advocacy 101 for AAC Users and Allies is written in bold lettering. Above the title is a screenshot of Angelica Vega smiling with the CommunicationFIRST logo behind her. Below the title are a screenshot of Samuel Habib smiling and a circle that contains the words, “Webinar with: Angelica Vega, Samuel Habib, Jordyn Zimmerman, Toby Latham, Dean Strauss, Bob Williams.”]

#PublicPolicy refers to how our government turns our requests into rules & laws. In our Policy Advocacy 101 Webinar for AAC Users & Allies, #PolicyChange advocates, like Samuel Habib & Angelica Vega, share tips for advocating at all levels of #government. lnk.to/adv101

[Image: Policy Advocacy…

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purple and white striped dress wears pink headphones and holds a pink AAC device. She holds a pink fidget in the other hand.]

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[Image: A Barbie in a purple and white striped dress wears pink headphones and holds a pink AAC device. She holds a pink fidget in the other hand.]

Representation is vital to #inclusion. That’s why we’re thrilled to see a Barbie #AACUser! Barbie and our colleagues at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network teamed up to create this #autistic Barbie who uses a pink AAC device, noise-canceling headphones, and a fidget.

[Image: A Barbie in a…

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of a social life, and I will work faster. I want an opportunity to fully participate.”]

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Kasnitz and Jen Schonger appear in side by side Zoom boxes. Devva speaks, and Jen revoices. Devva says, “Anything that helps cut down on the effort that I have to put in to communicate and the effort that people have to put in, will give me more time and less anxiety, and I will have more...

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With love, we remember Advisory Council member Devva Kasnitz (z”l), who we lost last January (1/25/25). She dedicated her career to creating the field of #DisabilityStudies and its infrastructure. Devva’s Room remains a space to learn #DisabilityHistory: lnk.to/devvasroom.

[Video: Devva...

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Sherm for Disabled And Here (image credit)

[Image: A person with short, thick hair & prescription glasses sits at an organized workstation, using a magnification app to navigate a webpage. Their posture is proper & relaxed. On the desk: a computer, mouse, large desk lamp, & a small notebook.]

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[Image: A person with short, thick hair and prescription glasses sits at an organized workstation, using a magnification app to navigate a webpage. Their posture is proper and relaxed. On the desk: a computer, a mouse, a large desk lamp, and a small notebook.]

#AACUsers, if you are interested in participating in #AAC research, please join our research email distribution list: lnk.to/rlist. You will be first to know about studies paving the way to a better future for our community. Support persons are also welcome to sign up.

📷: @affecttheverb.com/…

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Thornton, a disability advocate appearing in a recent CommunicationFIRST webinar, states, “You should be living in a community where you are free, & you’re learning new skills, & you’re developing each & every day something new.” A sign language interpreter signs his words.]

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The IDEA turned 50 earlier this year. It has guaranteed access to #AAC, therapy, aides, & our right to be educated alongside people without #disabilities. In the year ahead, tell your representatives the future you want to see for the IDEA. Resource here: lnk.to/adv101.

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[Image: A person stands with their back to the camera, looking at a large body of water. They are wearing a CommunicationFIRST t-shirt with the tagline, “Because communication is a human right.”] (2/2)

It’s the season for sharing! Introduce us to someone new by tagging them in a comment, & we will enter you in our holiday giveaway. You could win a #CommunicationRights shirt of your choice from our Threadless shop. A winner will be randomly selected at the end of New Year’s Day.

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“CommunicationFIRST is critical to the progress we need to continue to make. Sarah Blackstone.” The CommunicationFIRST logo in black and white appears at the bottom of the graphic.]

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[Text reads, “CommunicationFIRST is critical to the progress we need to continue to make. Sarah Blackstone.” The CommunicationFIRST logo in black and white appears at the bottom of the graphic.]

People who cannot rely on speech alone to be heard & understood must fight for their #rights. We help our community do just that. Help us start 2026 strong. Everyone who donates from December 15 - 31, 2025 will receive a CommunicationFIRST coaster! lnk.to/endyr

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person stands with their back to the camera, looking at a large body of water. They are wearing a CommunicationFIRST t-shirt with the tagline, “Because communication is a human right.”]

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[Image: A person stands with their back to the camera, looking at a large body of water. They are wearing a CommunicationFIRST t-shirt with the tagline, “Because communication is a human right.”] (2/2)

It’s the season for sharing! Introduce us to someone new by tagging them in a comment, & we will enter you in our holiday giveaway. You could win a #CommunicationRights shirt of your choice from our Threadless shop. A winner will be randomly selected at the end of New Year’s Day.

[Image: A…

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speaks while an American Sign Language interpreter translates. Angelica says, “We have more power than you realize, and the Congressional office do listen if the volumes are big enough. And believe me, because at one point I was a Congressional intern.”]

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Interested in #PolicyAdvocacy? Want to find out how to influence policy? Check out our Policy Advocacy 101 Webinar: lnk.to/adv101. Learn tips and strategies from Angelica Vega, Samuel Habib, and more experts who advocate for #PolicyChange at all levels of #government.

[Video: Angelica Vega…

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as well as how we have helped shape them for the better.”]

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