CommunicationFIRST

2 May

People with speech-related disabilities are a diverse community with a lot to say. We communicate with #AAC, including low-tech & high-tech tools & with support people like revoicers. Learn from us in our own words: watch All Our Voices. lnk.to/allvces [Video: First wearing a sweatshirt that says,…

We partnered with the American Foundation for the Blind to better understand how #AI is used as #AssistiveTechnology. Our input focused on #AAC. We want AI to support greater AAC freedom through custom voices and phrase prediction. Access the full report: lnk.to/AFBcollab. 📸 Photo Credit: Jordan…

Nicholson for Disability:IN. [Image: A person sits in their wheelchair at a table, using a tablet and wearing headphones.]

#AAC users, get ready to cast your ballots & make yourselves heard! #ElectionDay is Tuesday, November 3. Our #VotingRights toolkit will help you exercise your #RightToVote. #Voting represents communication, expression, self-advocacy, & community inclusion. lnk.to/vtlkt 📸 #VisibleAAC photo...

submitted by Melissa Crisp-Cooper [Image: A woman in a powerchair proudly holds her mail-in ballot and wears an “I Voted” sticker on her shirt.]

We’re thrilled to sponsor Jennifer Msumba’s film about building her amazing life & musical career in spite of enduring #InstitutionalAbuse at the Judge Rotenberg Center in Massachusetts. Find out when The Fish Don’t Care When It Rains will screen near you! lnk.to/tfdc [Image: The Fish Don’t Care...

Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)

When It Rains movie poster featuring a photo of Jennifer Msumba taken from behind. She is receiving a hug in front of the ocean and a blue sky. On top of the sky is a large closeup of her face and the text: They call it treatment. We’re calling it out.]

CommunicationFIRST reposted

@autisticadvocacy.org

Our right to live in community is under attack! Take action today by urging your elected officials to support the resolution reaffirming our right to live, work, and receive services in the community. autisticadvocacy.quorum.us/campaign/170...

Proposed changes to the National Health Interview Survey would make it harder for #AACUsers & other #disabled people to take this key survey & be counted: lnk.to/nhis. The #NHIS can’t serve its purpose if it doesn't accurately count us! Comments due to the #CDC 10/19. 📸 Photo by Jordan Nicholson…

for Disability:IN [Image: Two disabled people converse and sit across from each other at a table with pens and notebooks on top of it. One uses a power wheelchair; a tablet is on the table in front of them.]

Our movement is 7 years strong! Let’s all keep fighting for everyone with #CommunicationAccess needs due to #aphasia, #ALS, #autism, #TBI, #Parkinsons, #CerebralPalsy, & other causes. Please help us meet our birthday goal before the end of the day on 10/9! lnk.to/C1hbd7 [Image: A 7-shaped balloon…

& the words “We’re SEVEN” within a circle. Set against CommunicationFIRST blue, confetti floats in the background.]

#AAC users and other #disabled people could face serious consequences as the #FCC rethinks funding for schools' and libraries' #telecommunications and #InformationServices. Comment on screen time limits, restrictions on devices, and more by Tuesday, 10/13: lnk.to/e-rate. [Image: A disabled girl…

types on her tablet while sitting on a couch with her mother who happily looks at the screen.]

Strengthen the 1st national movement to protect and defend our #rights as people with speech-related #disabilities! Please share this and donate to our birthday #fundraiser before 10/9: lnk.to/C1hbd7. Every way you support our community of #AAC users is so appreciated. [Image: A blue balloon, the…

words “Celebrating 7 Years!,” and the CommunicationFIRST logo and tagline: “Because communication is a human right.”]

Support AAPD’s efforts to improve services for people with #HealthConditions, changing bodies, or changing minds. Take a 10-minute survey by Oct. 9: lnk.to/AAPDCI. It's available in English, Spanish, Easy-Read, & ASL/Audio-Described. #AAC users’ perspectives are needed! @aapd.com [Image: Two…

photos of disabled people gathered together in groups, engaging with each other. A third photo features a disabled person looking to the side while resting their hands on a cane. Below the photos are large words that say “Share your voice! Community Input Survey.” Blue, purple, and green…

National Health Law Program

decorative elements make up the background.]

CommunicationFIRST reposted

@nhelp.bsky.social

The federal government has retreated from its commitment to people with disabilities living in their own homes and communities. NHeLP never will. The right to community integration remains protected by law, and we will keep fighting for it. Updates in Texas v Kennedy👇 healthlaw.org/news/nationa...

healthlaw.orgNational Disability Organizations Condemn the Federal Government’s Abandonment of Its Commitment to Community Integration for People with Disabilities, as Approved by the Court in Texas v. Kennedy - N...DALLAS, TEXAS – Yesterday, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas granted an order implementing a settlement between the federal government, Texas, and four other states. The court...

Community drives every movement and every moment. We share information, resources, and our experiences. In the spirit of sharing, we’re raising $20k to celebrate our 7th birthday and keep fighting together for #CommunicationRights. Please #donate by 10/9! lnk.to/C1hbd7 [Video: #AliceWong, late…

CommunicationFIRST Advisory Council Member, wearing bright red lipstick, with abstract art behind her. She says, “Communication access was one of my earliest priorities, and I texted friends for recommendations from the hospital before I was discharged. A friend connected me to CommunicationFIRST,…

and one person from the organization suggested a text to speech app that I am currently using.”]

19 Sept

We love to see #AAC users living their best lives during back-to-school season and beyond. If you submit your photos to us, you may spot yourself in posts like this! To submit, email info@communicationfirst.org with PHOTOS in the subject line, or use #VisibleAAC when you post. 📸 Image Credit: …

19 Sept

#VisibleAAC photo submitted by Jill Tullman [Image: A boy smiles and waves, while holding his speech generating device and wearing a backpack.]

15 Sept

In honor of #DisabilityVotingRightsWeek this week, we are joining The American Association of People with Disabilities to invite you to become an #Accessible Democracy Defender! DVRW events are happening all over the country & virtually: lnk.to/DVRWevents. #DisabilityVote @aapd.com 📸 Photo…

15 Sept

Credit: #VisibleAAC submission by Niko Boskovic [Image: A person with long hair obscuring their face puts a ballot in a ballot box.]

11 Sept

#TheRideAhead team will host a free webinar on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 7pm EST: Air Travel While #Disabled! Elizabeth Dicker, Brittanie Hernandez-Wilson, Emily Ladau, & Rosemary McDonnell-Horita will discuss ways to make flying more #accessible. Register at lnk.to/ATWDis. [Image: a promotional…

11 Sept

graphic with the title "OUR RIDE AHEAD: Air Travel While Disabled" and headshots of Rosemary McDonnell-Horita, Emily Ladau, Elizabeth Dicker, and Brittanie Hernandez-Wilson. Text below reads "September 15, 4:00 pm PST/7:00pm EST, Virtual, RSVP for FREE at rideaheadfilm.com/webinars." In the bottom…

11 Sept

right corner is the text, "with support from," and a Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation logo.]

7 Sept

A Joy Grant from the WITH Foundation funded nearly a year of film screenings for our team! We learned together while we viewed and discussed #disability-themed #documentaries. We're excited to share CommunicationFIRST's 2026 #FilmFestival Lineup with you: lnk.to/C1docs. [Image: Four members of…

7 Sept

the CommunicationFIRST team gather on Zoom for a film screening. Pictured from top left to bottom right are Ren Koloni, Marrok Sedgwick, Katie Pagett, and Bre Mercier.]

3 Sept

In U.S. v. Florida, #DOJ won protections for children with complex medical needs from unnecessary #institutionalization. We are alarmed that it is now trying to undo this decision. It may lead to life-altering outcomes for children with #disabilities. lnk.to/USvFL 📸 Image Credit: #VisibleAAC…

3 Sept

photo submitted by Jill Tullman [Image: A young boy wearing a mask holds up a speech generating device with the sentence, "I want family."]

30 Aug

Along with Rep. Lateefah Simon & other #disability leaders, we attended NCIL’s #ADA march, rally, & conference in DC. “No one is coming to save us,” said Simon, who reminded us to keep fighting for our rights. Though we were unable to capture her sharing remarks, she inspired us! @ncil.bsky.social…

30 Aug

@replsimon.bsky.social [Image: CommunicationFIRST’s Lauren Proby smiles at the 2026 NCIL rally while holding a sign that reads "ADA 36/We won't go back".]

CommunicationFIRST is joining a community call to make sure our voices are listened to: lnk.to/CTAIACC. Last week, we submitted comments on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC)’s Strategic Plan, including detailed, constructive feedback on communication- & AAC-related research. 1/5

View full thread

[Image: Flyer titled: Community Calls on IACC to Review All Public Input Before Strategic Plan Vote. It features the logos of Autistic Self Advocacy Network, CommunicationFIRST, Autism Science Foundation, Autism Speaks, Autism Society of America, Profound Autism Alliance, Autistic Women… 4/5

& Nonbinary Network, Autistic People of Color Fund, Institute for Exceptional Care, and Coalition of Autism Scientists.] 5/5

While we are supportive of many ideas the Committee is bringing forth, we are deeply concerned that the community’s comments are not being considered when important decisions about autism research and services are made. Committee members received hundreds of pages of public comments less than… 2/5

a full day before the scheduled vote on the Plan, nowhere near enough time for meaningful review and debate. The federal government’s #autism research--like all research and federal action affecting people with speech-related #disabilities--should be guided by full public participation. 3/5

We're endorsing the HCBS #Access Act. The act will make sure every state offers home & community-based services without waiting lists. It will protect our right to live in the #community! Tell your senators to vote YES on #HCBS. We want it to become law. lnk.to/HCBSAA 📸Image Credit: Disabled & Here

[Image: Two disabled friends meet up at a restaurant. One friend holds their phone and sits at a table with menus. The other stands while using a black and gold cane.]

22 Aug

Help protect our right to live in the #community! Ask your Governor and State Attorney General to sign the Commitment to #CommunityIntegration for People with #Disabilities. It’s a commitment to defend and follow the integration mandate. More info here: lnk.to/defOI. @bazeloncenter.bsky.social

22 Aug

[Image: Defend Olmstead and integration is written in large white lettering over a blue background. Below it is the CommunicationFIRST logo and the tagline: Access. Opportunity. Justice.]

16 Aug

The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, #IACC, advises the government on #autism research & funding. They drafted a Strategic Plan that got some things right & some things wrong. Submit a comment to improve their plan before Thursday, August 20. lnk.to/IACCcmt 📸 Photo Credit: Disabled & Here

16 Aug

[Image: An autistic woman is shown from the back as she uses her popsocket fidget stim & sits on a park bench.]

10 Aug

Amicus briefs help us share insights with the legal system. We recently joined one supporting the National Association of the Deaf & its challenge to the federal government’s decision to stop providing #ASL interpretation in official White House briefings. lnk.to/suefed 📸 Photo… 1/2