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Jordyn Zimmerman

@jordynbzim.bsky.social

2.1K followers 170 following 35 posts

She/Her. #Accessibility Enthusiast. M.Ed. MBA. Constant learner. Apple Distinguished Educator. #EduSky. Two-time Presidential Appointee. My own thoughts. www.JordynZimmerman.com

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Jordyn Zimmerman @jordynbzim.bsky.social · Nov 17

Introduction for new followers: I mostly share on education, accessible technology, and disability. A few months ago, I was grateful to share a piece of my story on CBS Mornings. 1/2

Nonspeaking autistic woman embarks on journey to advocate for disability rights

At 29 years old, Jordyn Zimmerman is autistic and nonspeaking but she's making her voice heard on some of the most prestigious stages. Jamie Wax sat down with Zimmerman in her first broadcast televisi...

www.cbsnews.com

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Jordyn Zimmerman @jordynbzim.bsky.social · 20d

Before you share the “new cause” of #autism tomorrow, what are you doing to actually help the autistic community today?

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Reposted by Jordyn Zimmerman

Thriving Autistic @thrivingautistic.bsky.social · Aug 21

Research Reshare: Autistic Communication

Communication is the practice of using & making sense of language. It involves more than using speech especially for Autistic people
Use non-speaking/minimally speaking, recognise language as multimodal & multidimensional
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

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Reposted by Jordyn Zimmerman

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jul 24

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

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)

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Reposted by Jordyn Zimmerman

Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · Jul 25

Non-speakers deserve a full education: "We have "a critical need for research into (1) why people are often denied access to AAC, (2) the systemic effects of this denial, & (3) how we can ensure access to AAC from infancy and onward." By @jordynbzim.bsky.social:

www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Beyond access: the intersecting role of AAC, literacy, and technology

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, access to communication, literacy, and technology have become essential for citizenship, community inclusion, and social and emotional well-being. This...

www.tandfonline.com

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Jordyn Zimmerman @jordynbzim.bsky.social · Jul 6

Check out my paper in the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Journal, Beyond access: the intersecting role of AAC, literacy, and technology.
doi.org/10.1080/0743...

Beyond access: the intersecting role of AAC, literacy, and technology

doi.org

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Little Lobbyists @littlelobbyists.com · Jun 19

Multiple Little Lobbyists families traveled to Washington, D.C., from across the country (Maggie and David traveled all the way from Alaska!) to deliver a simple message to their U.S. Senators:

DO NOT CUT A SINGLE DIME OFF #Medicaid!

Story via @nytimes.com
#ProtectMedicaid

‘Little Lobbyists’ Urge Senators to Oppose Trump’s Bill Cutting Medicaid

www.nytimes.com

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Jordyn Zimmerman @jordynbzim.bsky.social · Jun 17

I am thrilled to be included in the first-ever #ForbesAccessibility100 list that honors myself and others (many I admire so, so much) as the biggest innovators and impact-makers in Accessibility. Read more: www.forbes.com/lists/access... @forbes.com

https://forbes.com/lists/accessib…

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Reposted by Jordyn Zimmerman

CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · Jun 14

Register now for the next CommunicationFIRST webinar on June 26: Policy Advocacy 101 for #AAC Users and Allies - featuring @jordynbzim.bsky.social, Bob Williams, Angelica Vega, Dean Strauss, Toby Latham, and Samuel Habib! us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #DisabilityRights

"Everything you need to know to advocate for policy change - POLICY ADVOCACY 101 FOR AAC USERS AND ALLIES - June 26, 2025; 1:30-3:00 pm ET; Featuring Jordyn Zimmerman Bob Williams Angelica Vega Dean Strauss Toby Latham Samuel Habib Register: bit.ly/4l70z8f CommunicationFIRST"

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Jordyn Zimmerman @jordynbzim.bsky.social · Jun 10

Good design is accessible design.
Good design is accessible design.
Good design is accessible design.

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Jordyn Zimmerman @jordynbzim.bsky.social · May 23

“We’ve all been sold a con: that progress is a zero-sum game. That when women rise, men must fall. That when someone new gets a seat at the table, yours disappears … If we’re too busy blaming each other, we’ll never imagine what we could build together.” time.com/7286184/worr...

I Founded Girls Who Code. Now I’m Worried About Boys

Boys and men are less likely to turn to their communities for social connection and support.

time.com

Jordyn Zimmerman @jordynbzim.bsky.social · May 15

Quick reminder that accessibility features can be leveraged for everyone! One favorite is using Live Listen on iPhone or iPad while watching TV, increasing the volume for those that want it and also reducing sounds for people who might not (like me 🙋🏻‍♀️). #GAAD

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Reposted by Jordyn Zimmerman

FPG Institute @fpginstitute.bsky.social · May 13

Day one of the 25th International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute has been amazing! Thank you to keynote speaker Jordyn Zimmerman for an incredible presentation.

Let us know what your favorite part of the first day of the Inclusion Institute has been in the comments.

#FPGInclusionInstitute

A group of attendees pose in front of an Inclusion Institute sign. They hold various photo booth props.

Brian Boyd stands at a lectern and holds his hands up in celebration while addressing the Inclusion Institute attendees.

Chih-Ing Lim stands at a lectern in front of a presentation screen and addresses the attendees of the Inclusion Institute. Paula Grubbs stands to her left.

Pam Winton stands at a lectern in front of a presentation screen and waves to the attendees of the Inclusion Institute.

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Jordyn Zimmerman @jordynbzim.bsky.social · Apr 25

Over the past couple weeks, autism has been part of many conversations on here and in the news. Read my latest letter to the editor of @nytimes.com, available online and in print.

www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/o...

Printed newspaper with the header, "Kennedy's Dangerous Autism Claims." Letters to the editor are below.

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Reposted by Jordyn Zimmerman

AAPD - The American Association of People with Disabilities @aapd.com · Apr 22

Great news for disabled college + grad students who want to pursue media, communications, or entertainment careers – the 2025 NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship application is open! Apply by May 30 at 5pm ET.

www.aapd.com/nbcuniversal...

NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship - AAPD

Thanks to a generous contribution from NBCUniversal, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is proud to announce the recipients for the 2023 NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholar...

www.aapd.com

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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · Apr 22

I'm looking for ideas for me as a journalist to do for a solutions story at @motherjones.com on how aging people (60+) are staying connected to each other through a cool activity (think slightly quirky). If you have any examples, please get in touch at [email protected]

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Jordyn Zimmerman @jordynbzim.bsky.social · Apr 16

“Autism destroys families.”

No. No, it doesn’t. A lack of resources does that. Cutting programs and services does that. Spreading false information does that.

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Reposted by Jordyn Zimmerman

Kristen Bottema-Beutel @kbottemabeutel.bsky.social · Apr 12

New editorial in @journalautism.bsky.social with @yesthattoo.bsky.social @jordynbzim.bsky.social and @bettyyu.bsky.social where we argue that "nonverbal" and "minimally verbal" are not useful constructs for grouping or describing autistic people. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

Conceptualizing and describing autistic language: Moving on from ‘verbal’, ‘minimally verbal’ and ‘nonverbal’ - Kristen Bottema-Beutel, Alyssa Hillary Zisk, Jordyn Zimmerman, Betty Yu, 2025

journals.sagepub.com

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Jordyn Zimmerman @jordynbzim.bsky.social · Apr 3

Many of the greatest innovations in the future will continue to come from the accessibility efforts and discussions happening now. Learn about a few of those in this podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

Inside Apple: Sonic Accessibility

Podcast Episode · Twenty Thousand Hertz · 04/02/2025 · 32m

podcasts.apple.com

Reposted by Jordyn Zimmerman

Accessibility Awareness @a11yawareness.bsky.social · Mar 25

"Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act" premieres on @pbs.org tonight, March 25th.

@jimlebrecht.bsky.social directed the film, which shows the "decades-long push for equality and accessibility that culminated in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990."

Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act | American Experience | PBS

The dramatic story of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. The film highlights the determined people who literally put their bodies on the line to pass the legislation tha...

www.pbs.org

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Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · Mar 19

Autism Acceptance Month is coming and AAC/communication app developer @assistiveware.bsky.social is celebrating with their traditional 50% off sale! Mark your calendars for April 2-9:

www.assistiveware.com/aac-app-sale #AutismAcceptanceMonth2025 #AAC #autism

Autism Acceptance Month Sale 2025 - AssistiveWare

Everyone has something to say. Working closely with the AAC community, we build apps and share best practice to help you communicate with the world.

www.assistiveware.com

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Jordyn Zimmerman @jordynbzim.bsky.social · Mar 19

I had an incredible time in Australia! The highlight? Presenting at #AGOSCI2025 and connecting with so many educators, advocates and users. Plus, from school visits to seeing penguins and feeding kangaroos — every moment was incredible. Thanks to all who made it that way!

Jordyn, standing at the podium as she delivers her keynote during the AGOSCI conference. On screen there’s a message in white lettering, “Everyone has words worth sharing.”

A small group of people standing together at the Statewide Inclusive Education Services office. Jordyn is smiling in the middle.

Jordyn, knelt down next to a kangaroo, holding a cup in her left hand to feed it.

Elevator selfie with Shannon, Amanda, David, and Erin and Jordyn, smiling in the back.

Reposted by Jordyn Zimmerman

Christopher Peak @clpeak.bsky.social · Mar 11

Sold a Story has a new mini-series. We found a high-poverty school district where nearly every kid can read well. They’ve been teaching the same way for 25 years. But a new law, inspired by our reporting, put that at risk. All three podcast episodes are out now.

Emily Hanford @ehanford.bsky.social · Feb 20

What if I told you that in a small, rust belt city, where abandoned buildings line the streets, kids are doing better in reading than in some of the richest school districts in America? www.youtube.com/shorts/KsBNf...

The Outlier: Steubenville, Ohio

YouTube video by APM Reports

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Jordyn Zimmerman

CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · Mar 4

Back by popular demand! The “Jordyn Zimmerman tee” is available now until March 24! lnk.to/shpc. 📷: #VisibleAAC Photo of Jackson Shroeder by Jayne Schroeder

[Image: AAC user Jackson Schroeder sports a green CommunicationFIRST T-shirt featuring a quote by our Board Chair @jordynbzim.bsky.social…

AAC user Jackson Schroeder sports a green CommunicationFIRST T-shirt featuring a quote by our Board Chair Jordyn Zimmerman: “Speech does not make someone more human.”

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Reposted by Jordyn Zimmerman

CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · Feb 26

It’s been two years since one of our founding Board members, #JudyHeumann, left us. To honor her legacy, you can help save the disability rights law that she helped get passed. Our partner, DREDF, created a resource to stop the attack on #Section504. lnk.to/tvbart

[Image: CommunicationFIRST...

CommunicationFIRST Board Chair Jordyn Zimmerman, standing in black, holds hands with a smiling Judy Heumann, who sits in a power wheelchair wearing a floral shirt.

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Jordyn Zimmerman @jordynbzim.bsky.social · Feb 23

Finding joy, like this pup turning 7 !!

A black and white Boston Terrier, sitting in his bed with a silver 7 balloon behind him. He is holding a treat in his mouth that reads, “happy birthday!”