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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 3d

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 · 3d

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 · 3d

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 · 7d

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 · 7d

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 · 9d

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

CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 9d

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 · 12d

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 · 12d

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 · 15d

CommunicationFIRST logo.]

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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 15d

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 · 15d

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 · 19d

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

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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 19d

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 · 19d

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 · 21d

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

CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 23d

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 · 23d

[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 · 23d

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 · 27d

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 · 27d

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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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 29d

Thank you for boosting!!

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Reposted by CommunicationFIRST

Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 29d

"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...

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...

docs.google.com

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Reposted by CommunicationFIRST

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jul 17

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 (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.”

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Reposted by CommunicationFIRST

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jul 21

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 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

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