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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 1d

Dr. Williams (“Disabling Intelligences: Legacies of Eugenics and How We Are Wrong About Al”) will lead a discussion on the potential impacts of artificial intelligence for our community.]

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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 1d

[Image: Black graphic titled, AI 101 for AAC Users: Rua Mae Williams, Godfrey Nazareth, & Jordyn Zimmerman in Conversation. The graphic displays headshots of the three discussants, the CommunicationFIRST logo, and a webinar date of 1:30 - 3:00 PM ET October 22, 2025. A description reads…

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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 1d

Sign up for our 10/22 webinar with Dr. Rua Mae Williams, titled "AI 101 for AAC Users:" lnk.to/ai101. Rua will be joined by Board members Jordyn Zimmerman & Godfrey Nazareth to discuss potential impacts of #AI for people who need and use #AAC.

@fractalecho.bsky.social @jordynbzim.bsky.social

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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 5d

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 · 5d

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 · 6d

[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 · 6d

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 · 10d

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 · 10d

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 · 10d

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 · 14d

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 · 14d

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 · 16d

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

CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 16d

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 · 18d

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 · 18d

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 · 22d

CommunicationFIRST logo.]

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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 22d

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 · 22d

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 · 26d

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

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CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 26d

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 · 26d

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 · 28d

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

CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · Sep 15

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 · Sep 15

[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 · Sep 15

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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