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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 4h

credit: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

[Image: Alice Wong in her wheelchair with a tracheostomy at her neck connected to a ventilator. A smiling Alice wears a pink plaid shirt and pink pants, and her #AAC device is mounted in front of her.]

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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 4h

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…

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[Image: Alice Wong in her wheelchair with a tracheostomy at her neck connected to a ventilator. A smiling Alice wears a pink plaid shirt and pink pants, and her AAC device is mounted in front of her.]

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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 1d

[Image: CommunicationFIRST logo and tagline: “Because communication is a human right.”The logo is surrounded by colorful party hats, balloons, confetti, candles, noisemakers, and curly ribbons.]

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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 1d

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.

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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 5d

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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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 5d

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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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 5d

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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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 9d

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

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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 9d

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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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 11d

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

CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 11d

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…

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

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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 13d

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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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 13d

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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[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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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 17d

CommunicationFIRST logo.]

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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 17d

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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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 17d

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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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 21d

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

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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 21d

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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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 21d

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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Reposted by CommunicationFIRST

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 23d

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

CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 25d

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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[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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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 25d

[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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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 25d

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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Reposted by CommunicationFIRST

ReelAbilities International @reelabilities.bsky.social · Aug 12

#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...

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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 29d

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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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 29d

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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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.

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