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…

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...

National 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...

healthlaw.org

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…

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: …

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…

#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…

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…

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…

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…

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

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

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

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

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

Are you worried about #Olmstead? The Bazelon Center made a guide to resisting DOJ’s harmful memo. It includes a statement for your governor and attorney general to sign in support of our right to live in the community: lnk.to/olmbkg. @bazeloncenter.bsky.social 📸 #VisibleAAC photo by Shira Wakschlag

Push back on the narrative of Medicaid being fraudulent or wasteful! Share your experiences with #Medicaid & #HCBS to inform the upcoming Senate Budget Committee Hearing. Email your statement for the record to Anirudh_Srirangam@budget.senate.gov by Wednesday, August 5 @ 12pm ET. [Image: A close-up…

Our partners at DREDF and AAPD released a new report on barriers to #DisabilityBenefits. They found more barriers came about as the government cut staff and regional offices, replacing some with #AI: lnk.to/barrier. @dredf.bsky.social @aapd.com 📸 Photo Credit: @affecttheverb.com/Disabled and Here…

We conducted focus groups with #AACUsers to better understand our community’s perspectives on #ArtificialIntelligence. Findings informed the Consumer Technology Association white paper on #AI and #Accessibility: lnk.to/AIwhtppr. [Image: Focus group participant Juan Cobeñas sits at a desk with… 1/2

With George Washington University’s handy new tool, keep track of, and submit your own updates on how federal policy changes are impacting home and community-based services for disabled people: lnk.to/trackHCBS. #HCBS @milkeninstitute.org 📸 Photo Credit: @affecttheverb.com/Disabled and Here 1/2

Featuring perspectives from nonspeaking self-advocates, clinicians, researchers, and legal experts on communication access, the right to communicate, and the growing movement to give every nonspeaking autistic person a voice. 📰 View it Now: https://autismspectrumnews.org/asn-summer-2026-issue/

“When other people know how to be respectful…they’re much more likely to include us.” Check out a new guide to #allyship by our own Ren Koloni, & learn AAC-related rights & tips for supporting them! Ren is featured in Autism Spectrum News’s Summer Issue. lnk.to/ltpfAAC [Video: Ren Koloni… 1/3

We should not have to prove that we deserve #healthcare. The federal government has a new rule that could make it harder for people who need #AAC to keep #Medicaid. Send in your comments to oppose this by July 31 at 11:59pm ET! Use our helpful tips: lnk.to/wrkreq. 📸 Photo credit: Norma Mortenson…

We should not have to prove that we deserve #healthcare. The federal government has a new rule that could make it harder for people who need #AAC to keep #Medicaid. Send in your comments to oppose this by July 31 at 11:59pm ET! Use our helpful tips: lnk.to/wrkreq. 📸 Photo credit: Norma Mortenson…

The #DOJ released a memo stating it will not enforce the #Olmstead decision, which protects the right of people with #disabilities to choose where to live. Learn about this attack on our community & how to take action via the explainer: First In, Last Out. lnk.to/olmmem [Image: “We must not… 1/2

Action needed June 25th 2026. Call Congress: Protect children with disabilities. Keep IDEA at ED. Switchboard: 202-224-3121 Please share with families, educators, and advocates. You can find the script here: https://bit.ly/IDEA-CALL-IN-SCRIPT

Ready to wear the change you want to see in the world? The Jordyn Zimmerman Speech Does Not Make Someone More Human Shirts are back, but only through June 30! Get yours now and support the fight for #CommunicationRights. lnk.to/shpc @jordynbzim.bsky.social [Image: Sitting in front of a… 1/2

We helped create plain-language versions of articles published in the Journal of #AAC. Articles drew from the Future of AAC Research Summit we organized in May 2024 with the RERC on AAC. Authors include #AliceWong: lnk.to/nwacs. Thanks to NWACS for leading this effort! [Video: Alice Wong with… 1/3

Enter our Jordyn Zimmerman Shirt giveaway! Think of someone who's new to CommunicationFIRST & tag them in a comment. You could win a Jordyn Shirt (of your choice), which supports the fight for #CommunicationRights. A winner will be randomly chosen on 6/18. lnk.to/shpc @jordynbzim.bsky.social 1/2

Having trouble communicating might be a part of your life that you can’t avoid. Here's how to communicate with others, when you’re stressed, upset, in pain, dysregulated, or in a difficult or dangerous situation. Advice from @communicationfirst.bsky.social: communicationfirst.org/communicatin...

Communicating in Times of Stress Resource

For people with lived experience, allies, and lifeline workers.

communicationfirst.org

If you are truly interested in understanding the needs and experiences of being autistic and non-speaking, avoid mainstream coverage and evidence-rejecting "advocates." Instead, follow orgs like @communicationfirst.bsky.social & also people like @neuroscientist.bsky.social & @jordynbzim.bsky.social.