Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 22d

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

CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 24d

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

[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].

2 2

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)

5 10

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

7 10

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jul 20

RP+
"I have so many wishes regarding decreasing social isolation for myself, our participants, and the wider community of AAC users. I wish for investment in technology that fully adapts to the needs and preferences of each user, and funding for well-paid, highly qualified communication supporters."

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jun 1

Melissa Crisp-Cooper (2025) :
“Life with a significant disability has taught me to be flexible, resourceful, creative, and empathetic.”
Free AAC Journal #OpenAccess
doi.org/10.1080/0743...
@ussaac.bsky.social
@communicationfirst.bsky.social
@isaacinternational.bsky.social
@aacjournal.bsky.social

Picture of Melissa Crisp-Cooper and screenshot of title page

3 2

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.”

6 7

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jul 14

Blasko, Light, McNaughton, Williams & Zimmerman: "people who need or use AAC must be leaders and co-creators in all activities that are about them or impact them"
Free at AAC journal
doi.org/10.1080/0743...
@communicationfirst.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social

Picture of Janice Light and Jordyn Zimmerman, screenshot of text that reads
“There is a long history of communities, marginalized by race, ethnicity, disability, gender, etc., that have called for leadership roles and full participation in all activities undertaken about them.
Now is the time for the AAC field to fully embrace this challenge.”
Blasko et al. (2025)
Citation that reads
Blasko, G., Light, J., McNaughton, D., Williams, B., & Zimmerman, J. (2025). Nothing about AAC users without AAC users: a call for meaningful inclusion in research, technology development, and professional training. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2514748

6 7

Reposted

Technology & Language Center, PC @talcaac.bsky.social · Jun 24

Thanks to the @ussaac.bsky.social Research Committee and all of the co-authors for their work on this #EPB open source paper now online @aacjournal.bsky.social www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Utilization of a single preferred AAC system in US schools

The use of a single preferred communication book, board, app, or device across a school or district is a frequent topic on social media. The purposes of this study were to determine: (1) When a sin...

www.tandfonline.com

1 2 1

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jul 11

Ren Koloni (2025): "...the vast majority of people who cannot rely on speech alone to be heard and understood still lack meaningful access to effective communication...”
Free at AAC Journal
doi.org/10.1080/0743...
@communicationfirst.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social

Picture of Ren Koloni, screenshot of text that reads
“To be denied expression of the self should be unimaginable, but it is not.
It is happening.
It is our responsibility as researchers, as advocates, and as people to not only imagine it, but to find out why, how, where, when, and in what ways it happens—and
to make it right”
abstract, and link to article at Koloni, R. (2025). To include us in our own worlds: AAC is not optional. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2515283

5 6

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jul 9

Kevin Williams and Christine Holyfield (2025) describe new directions for innovation in AAC innovation, free at AAC journal
doi.org/10.1080/0743...
@communicationfirst.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social

text that reads "innovation in AAC will only result in AAC that is ideal for its users when it is built with the people it is built for" Williams & Holyfield, 2025 Williams, K., & Holyfield, C. (2025). Future of AAC technologies: priorities for inclusive innovation. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1-4. https:/.oi.tl/23 https://doi.org/10.108 /10.1080/074346', picture of Kevin Williams and Christine Holyfield

1 1

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jul 7

As Jordyn writes, "When students are meaningfully included in their school community and have access to the tools and support they need to thrive, their learning opportunities (i.e., their access to literacy, academic vocabulary, and conceptual knowledge) expand in unimaginable ways. "

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

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...

doi.org

1

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jul 7

Bob Williams (2025) describes how “Access to language-based communication and literacy tools is essential to safeguarding and securing human and civil rights”
Free at AAC journal
doi.org/10.1080/0743...
@communicationfirst.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social

Picture of Bob Williams and text that says People who need AAC should be afforded access to communication and literacy support at every stage of life – from the youngest young to the oldest old. Also, citation to the paper “Williams, B. (2025). Reading, writing, and AAC are fundamental. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2508492”

2 3

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jul 2

This paper is part of the series from The Future of AAC Research Summit held in May, 2024. You can see a video of Patrick's presentation at the Summit at aac-learning-center.psu.edu/2024/11/16/r...

The First Word in Accessibility is ACCESS (Regan, 2024)

aac-learning-center.psu.edu

2 1

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jul 2

Patrick Regan, president-elect for @ussaac.bsky.social, describes “access challenges that I have experienced as someone who uses AAC, how my team and I have resolved them, and what challenges I face now.”
Free
doi.org/10.1080/0743...
@communicationfirst.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social

Picture of Patrick Regan, screenshot of abstract, and link to article at Regan, P. (2025). The first word in accessibility is “access.” Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2513912

1 3 5

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jun 30

McNaughton, McLemore & Rackensperger (2025) describe how new approaches to AAC can support societal participation
Free at AAC journal
doi.org/10.1080/0743...
@communicationfirst.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social @aacjournal.bsky.social @cekter.bsky.social

Screenshot of David, Tracy and Lance, and Text quote that reads "

To support communication & participation,
AAC research and development must:

strengthen the expression of personal identity;

•support integrated use of multimodal communication; &

•reduce the demands of communicative interaction (while supporting language and literacy development).

•McNaughton, McLemore, & Rackensperger (2025)

1 1

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jun 27

Pancho Ramirez (2025) describes his evolving use of AAC, and the importance of supporting communication with family members (in multiple languages!)
Now free at the AAC journal
doi.org/10.1080/0743...
@communicationfirst.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social

Picture of Pancho and excerpt of text from his article in the AAC journal

2 2

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jun 25

Holyfield, Light, Nieder & Preece (2025) describe external challenges to learning language for those who need or use AAC
Free at @aacjournal.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1080/0743...
@communicationfirst.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social

Screenshot of Jamie Preece and Text quote that reads "“Everyone wanted me to start off with wants and needs. But I felt like I was communicating that pretty well without the device. I wanted to talk about more interesting stuff with AAC. I was boring. I couldn’t say the things I wanted to say. It’s not all about schoolwork or what you would like to get or do. I wanted to make a joke. I wanted to talk about my feelings. AAC is for life, not just for school. It’s not just wants and needs – it’s dreams and your actual life.”

1 1

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

...This is a troubling practice that contradicts the Position Statement on Access to Communication Services and Supports by the NJC"

1

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

"...respondents using a single system were statistically less likely to involve other stakeholders in the decision-making process, specifically other professionals, family members, and the individuals using AAC themselves... ."

1 1

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

@glendalwh.bsky.social

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

“For far too long... research has ignored the greatest problem – the pervasive societal barriers that limit access to AAC and to meaningful opportunities to communicate and participate in society.” doi.org/10.1080/0743... @communicationfirst.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social

Button that reads
"Attitudes are the real disability"
Text that reads
Light, J., Fager, S. K., Gormley, J., Hyatt, G. W., & Jakobs, E. (2025). Dismantling societal barriers that limit people who need or use AAC: lived experiences, key research findings, and future directions. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2508490

1 2 3

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jun 20

@endeverstar.bsky.social @yesthattoo.bsky.social

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jun 20

Alice Wong (2025) describes her use of AAC to combat ableism:"Nonspeaking people belong in public, holding court in conversations, doing our thing, our access needs respected, and being our full selves unapologetically"
Free @aacjournal.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1080/0743...
@sfdirewolf.bsky.social

Alice Wong and a screenshot of the Abstract of her article in the AAC journal, free at https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2489663

1

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jun 20

@communicationfirst.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jun 20

Alice Wong (2025) describes her use of AAC to combat ableism:"Nonspeaking people belong in public, holding court in conversations, doing our thing, our access needs respected, and being our full selves unapologetically"
Free @aacjournal.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1080/0743...
@sfdirewolf.bsky.social

1 6 9

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jun 18

For people who need or use AAC, what are the external barriers to literacy learning? and how can future R&D better support literacy learning?
Free at the AAC journal
doi.org/10.1080/0743...

@communicationfirst.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social

Parent and child read book, and cite for " Light, J., Holyfield, C., McNaughton, D., Nieder, D., & Preece, J. (2025). Overcoming barriers to literacy for individuals who need or use AAC: lived experiences, key research findings, and future directions. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2502032 "

1 2

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · Jun 16

Godfrey Nazareth (2025) describes living with motor neuron disease and his creation of AAC technology that has helped him live life to the fullest.
Free at AAC journal
doi.org/10.1080/0743...
@communicationfirst.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social

Godfrey Nazareth and a picture of the text from his article

1 3