At an Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services listening session, the plea of attendees was clear: don’t weaken oversight of equity in #SpecialEd. Learn ways to advocate & how OSERS has supported students like our Board Chair Jordyn Zimmerman. lnk.to/jzosers @jordynbzim.bsky.social 1/2

Nine states are targeting the integration mandate that protects disabled people from forced institutionalization. Learn what’s at stake and how to fight back. Feb 25 | 10:30am PT / 1:30pm ET Register: https://dredf-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Q1oN3icfRrCY36saLlwgJA#/registration

“Working together is vital to our survival more than ever,” says our co-founder Bob Williams. In an interview from (Un)Hidden: Disability Histories & Our World, Bob shares some of the history he participated in & calls us to act now for #DisabilityRights: lnk.to/unhidden. [Image: Bob… 1/2

In our newest guest blog, Glenda Watson Hyatt answers our questions about her recent master’s thesis on the employment (and #discrimination) of people with #SpeechDisabilities, including those who use #AAC: lnk.to/glenwh. @queensuresearch.bsky.social [Image: Glenda Watson Hyatt raises her… 1/2

Can’t believe it’s been 5 years since the award-winning short film LISTEN was released! Help us commemorate this impactful film with your own LISTEN shirt: lnkfi.re/c1shp. Sales support the fight for #CommunicationRights and #access. [Video: Montage of photos and video clips featuring… 1/3

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 1/2

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 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.

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… 1/2

#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... 1/2

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

#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… 1/3

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… 1/2

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... 1/3

#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/… 1/2

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. [Video: Ricardo… (1/2)

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… (1/2)

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 [Image: Text reads,… (1/2)

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… (1/2)

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… (1/2)

#JudyHeumann's 78th birthday would have been this week. We remember her commitment to #DisabilityRights by sharing Bob Williams’ See Us, Hear Us film, where Judy appears at 10:33. The film challenges us to create a world with disability rights as the norm. lnkfi.re/bsuhu [Video: A montage... (1/3)

Your support means the universe to us as we work to create a more just society for people with speech-related #disabilities. Please consider CommunicationFIRST in your year-end giving. We need your support to achieve our vision! lnk.to/endyr. Thank you! 📷 @affecttheverb.com… (1/2)

Our Board Member Toby Latham successfully advocated with the Virginia legislature to require educators to be trained to support each individual student’s unique #AAC-related needs before the school year starts! The VDOE released this 2-pager to explain the new law: lnk.to/vdoe. [Image: A… (1/2)

We are so grateful for all the #GivingTuesday donations we’ve received in the past few days! Your support helps us keep fighting for the rights of people with speech-related #disabilities. If you haven’t given yet, please consider supporting us this week. lnk.to/givingt 📷: #VisibleAAC... (1/3)

Our #GivingTuesday fundraiser! lnk.to/givingt

CommunicationFIRST is committed to ensuring that all people with speech-related disabilities are respected, supported, & valued members of their communities. Consider including communication advocacy in your #GivingTuesday plans; donate any amount you can: lnk.to/givingt [Image: In a… (1/2)

Just in time for your holiday shopping: Jordyn’s shirt is back! At this link only until 12/4: lnk.to/shpc. Give a gift that supports communication #advocacy. #SpeechDoesNotMakeSomeoneMoreHuman @jordynbzim.bsky.social [Image: Jordyn Zimmerman sits smiling on a rooftop bench, wearing a… (1/2)

We’re still processing the crushing news about the passing of CommunicationFIRST friend and Advisory Council member #AliceWong. We were made better by her work. Read about some of her #AAC and communication-disability-related activism and legacy here: lnk.to/alicew @sfdirewolf.bsky.social... 1/2

Welcome our new Director of Policy & Legal Advocacy, Sam Crane! Sam is a Harvard-trained lawyer with particular legal & policy experience in #CommunicationRights, long-term supports & services, & supported decision-making as an alternative to guardianship. lnk.to/crane @samanticka.bsky.social 1/2

We love showcasing our community in our #VisibleAAC photo bank. Any #AACUser who wants to share a photo of yourself &/or your #AAC, email [email protected] with PHOTOS in the subject line, or you can hashtag #VisibleAAC if you post. You may appear in our comms efforts! [Image: Bob… 1/3

With mixed feelings, we share that our co-founder Bob Williams is retiring from an incredible 4-decade career serving the #DisabilityCommunity. His tireless, principled advocacy has changed lives, & CommunicationFIRST wouldn't exist without his leadership. lnk.to/retiring (1/2)

It’s been 100 years since DC’s #ForestHaven institution for people with I/DD opened. Watch our webinar on its closure, featuring two former residents & our own Bob Williams, an advocate for #CommunityLiving & the #Medicaid programs that make it possible. lnk.to/fhyt [Video: Webinar… (1/2)

Our Board Chair Jordyn Zimmerman advocates that people who need & use AAC must be leaders & co-designers of AAC technologies. She writes about this in Impact, a journal from the Institute on Community Integration. She's featured in its 40 Big Ideas issue! lnk.to/bigidea @jordynbzim.bsky.social 1/2

We'd like to extend a big thank you to everyone who participated in our #ArtificialIntelligence webinar! Whether or not you could make it, please take this short survey to help us gauge what you know about #AI & how tools like AI shape your communication: lnk.to/aisurvey. [Image: A swirl of… (1/2)

#AI has much potential for people who need & use #AAC – potential that could be good, bad, & ugly. Wednesday learn more in this webinar with Purdue's Dr. Rua Mae Williams, author of Disabling Intelligences: Legacies of Eugenics & How We Are Wrong About AI. lnk.to/ai101 @fractalecho.bsky.social 1/3

From the team behind The Ride Ahead comes a new educational webinar series, Our Ride Ahead! Check out their upcoming webinars for disabled youth on dating, relationships, romance, and sexual health: rideaheadfilm.com/webinars. Part 1 will take place on October 24 at 7pm ET to discuss... (1/4)

Sign up for our 10/22 webinar with Dr. Rua Mae Williams, titled "AI 101 for AAC Users:" lnk.to/ai101. Rua will be joined by Board members Jordyn Zimmerman & Godfrey Nazareth to discuss potential impacts of #AI for people who need and use #AAC. @fractalecho.bsky.social @jordynbzim.bsky.social (1/3)

Our Advisory Council Member #AliceWong appeared on a #Radiolab episode called #Voice! Listen for her amazing insights and a shoutout to CommunicationFIRST (1:00:48): lnk.to/rlab. Alice starts speaking at 00:32:47 and 00:58:45. Transcript here: lnk.to/rlabt. @sfdirewolf.bsky.social 📷 Photo… (1/2)

Our truly amazing supporters and the #AAC community have had our back for SIX years! Help us reach our 6th birthday celebratory fundraising goal by week’s end: lnk.to/pledge. We’ve got $7.2k out of $10k remaining to ensure we can keep fighting for communication #equity. … (1/2)

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... (1/3)

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… (1/2)

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…

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… (1/2)

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… (1/3)

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… (1/3)

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

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 1/2

#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...

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… (1/1)

"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...