Disability-led 501(c)(3) protecting the civil rights of humans who cannot rely on speech alone to be heard and understood. https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mlh7m5xgbk2eWelcome our new Board Treasurer, Shubha Balabaer! They are a #DisabilityAdvocate, social & racial justice activist, & parent to a #nonspeaker. They help other parents connect to a broader #DisabilityJustice movement & ways of disability-centered parenting. lnk.to/shubha [Image: Shubha… 1/209 May 2026 21:42 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlh7m5xgbk2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mkv7zzg6fk2vPeople 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,…02 May 2026 18:02 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkv7zzg6fk2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mkgdd67ayk26In our series about AAC users in higher ed, Ren Koloni discusses their work on #disability & racial justice, Glenda Watson Hyatt discusses her thesis on employment discrimination of AAC users, & Lateef McLeod shares about his dissertation on peer supports. lnk.to/aachred @glendalwh.bsky.social 1/226 Apr 2026 19:51 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkgdd67ayk26https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mk3v2rqivs2jWe attended the National Federation of the Blind’s tenBroek Disability Law Symposium. Our Director of Policy & Legal Advocacy Sam Crane presented on #SupportedDecisionMaking alongside #AACUser & SDM advocate Otto Lana, DREDF’s Ayesha Elaine Lewis, & ACLU’s Britt Belwine. @dredf.bsky.social @aclu.org22 Apr 2026 16:09 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3v2rqivs2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mjrdsupnxs26CommunicationFIRST Program Associate Ren Koloni shares their experience in graduate school as a multiply #disabled #AACUser. Ren discusses #access for our community and their research on #ableism in medical settings: lnk.to/RenGrad. [Image: Headshot of Ren Koloni accompanied by a quote. It says,...18 Apr 2026 11:34 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjrdsupnxs26https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mjfsimfhrs2lIt's not too early to start shopping for Mother’s Day. With some new #CommunicationRights gear, moms (and their sidekicks!) will look great and support our mission. Browse CommunicationFIRST shirts and accessories: lnkfi.re/c1shp. [Image: A woman holds a baby, both smiling broadly. The baby,… 1/213 Apr 2026 21:24 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjfsimfhrs2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mijwp7ziuk2m#TheTruthAboutAutism is folks have a lot to say about it, but they are not listening to #nonspeakers. CommunicationFIRST firmly believes in the motto #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs. To learn about communication rights & access from autistic people, watch LISTEN: lnkfi.re/listenfilm. @autisticadvocacy.org02 Apr 2026 19:25 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mijwp7ziuk2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mia74gxwjc2lCommunicationFIRST has endorsed the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the once-controversial statue of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his wheelchair at the #FDR Memorial. Our co-founder Bob Williams attended 2001’s statue dedication with fellow #disability leaders. 📸 Image... 1/229 Mar 2026 22:29 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mia74gxwjc2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mhvojhrjwc2i#Volunteer opening alert! If you’re experienced with #FinancialManagement, please apply to CommunicationFIRST’s Board as our Treasurer. We are seeking someone who is passionate about our mission and knowledgeable about #accounting and budget functions. lnk.to/treasurer [Image: Bold black… 1/225 Mar 2026 18:06 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhvojhrjwc2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mhebfmjdzk2g#AliceWong would have been 52 this month. We feel Alice’s continued presence as we honor her legacy. Join us by taking action on a #DisabilityRights issue important to you and attending her memorial, which will be streamed on 3/25 at 2pm ET. lnk.to/alicemem @sfdirewolf.bsky.social #AliceIsLove 1/218 Mar 2026 19:55 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhebfmjdzk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mgxua7qbic2gAre you attending this year’s #HealthierTogether Conference? CommunicationFIRST Director of Policy & Legal Advocacy Sam Crane is part of a panel of experts presenting on 5/13 & discussing #HealthCare best practices for people with #disabilities: lnk.to/hlthtog. @samanticka.bsky.social [Image:… 1/313 Mar 2026 21:28 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgxua7qbic2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mgnv27mdx22aOur colleagues at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network created a toolkit to teach Medicaid 1115 waiver #advocacy. 1115 waivers let state governments make some changes, such as who gets #Medicaid, what Medicaid pays for, and what rules there are. Learn more: lnk.to/1115wat. @autisticadvocacy.org 1/209 Mar 2026 22:16 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgnv27mdx22ahttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mg64xyvk3c27#JudyHeumann, one of our founding Board members, used this bridge for decades. DC’s Connecticut Ave Bridge was renamed Judith E. Heumann Memorial Bridge to honor her incredible commitment to #DisabilityRights. Sharing as we remember her on the 3-year anniversary of her passing 💙 … 1/203 Mar 2026 15:55 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mg64xyvk3c27https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mfumhk6wvs2aAt an Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services listening session, the plea of attendees was clear: don’t weaken oversight of equity in #SpecialEd. Learn ways to advocate & how OSERS has supported students like our Board Chair Jordyn Zimmerman. lnk.to/jzosers @jordynbzim.bsky.social 1/227 Feb 2026 21:06 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfumhk6wvs2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mfkiry7h4c2j“Working together is vital to our survival more than ever,” says our co-founder Bob Williams. In an interview from (Un)Hidden: Disability Histories & Our World, Bob shares some of the history he participated in & calls us to act now for #DisabilityRights: lnk.to/unhidden. [Image: Bob… 1/223 Feb 2026 20:33 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfkiry7h4c2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mf5o2agch22pIn our newest guest blog, Glenda Watson Hyatt answers our questions about her recent master’s thesis on the employment (and #discrimination) of people with #SpeechDisabilities, including those who use #AAC: lnk.to/glenwh. @queensuresearch.bsky.social [Image: Glenda Watson Hyatt raises her… 1/218 Feb 2026 18:03 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mf5o2agch22phttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3met7ef2cis2cCan’t believe it’s been 5 years since the award-winning short film LISTEN was released! Help us commemorate this impactful film with your own LISTEN shirt: lnkfi.re/c1shp. Sales support the fight for #CommunicationRights and #access. [Video: Montage of photos and video clips featuring… 1/314 Feb 2026 14:13 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3met7ef2cis2chttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mejil7eoac25Every student deserves to be safe at school. House & Senate leaders reintroduced the Keeping All Students Safe Act to protect students from #seclusion & dangerous #restraint in school. Learn how to help & learn about KASSA’s impact on our community here: lnk.to/KASSAblog @copaafape.bsky.social 1/210 Feb 2026 17:32 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mejil7eoac25https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3me7a2oiahs2v“I was denied a communication navigator when my speech began to slur… When I became unable to speak, my cellmate pleaded for me.” Watch Aliya Rahman’s testimony about her experience being detained by #ICE. https://youtu.be/zrcW8SZtYpI?si=iL8Oo86bNfgnA78C06 Feb 2026 15:33 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3me7a2oiahs2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mdy4uoe77k2hWiki Education gave a shout-out to our Board Director Pancho Ramirez for his work filling in #disability content gaps on Wikipedia: lnk.to/Panchowiki. He is an #AACUser who communicates using an airmouse or a laser pointer and letter board. @wikieducation.bsky.social [Image: A generative AI… 1/203 Feb 2026 19:47 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdy4uoe77k2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mdiiahzdnk2b#DisabilityAdvocate, #AACUser, & fashionista, Marisa Conners, says her #Medicaid #HCBS waiver ensures her “needs & preferences are respected,” & it enables her to advocate & create in ways that align with her communication style. Learn how in her guest blog. lnk.to/marisa [Image: Marisa... 1/228 Jan 2026 14:28 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdiiahzdnk2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mcxmxpjdec2o#PublicPolicy refers to how our government turns our requests into rules & laws. In our Policy Advocacy 101 Webinar for AAC Users & Allies, #PolicyChange advocates, like Samuel Habib & Angelica Vega, share tips for advocating at all levels of #government. lnk.to/adv101 [Image: Policy Advocacy… 1/321 Jan 2026 21:37 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcxmxpjdec2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mcdfic3j322sRepresentation is vital to #inclusion. That’s why we’re thrilled to see a Barbie #AACUser! Barbie and our colleagues at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network teamed up to create this #autistic Barbie who uses a pink AAC device, noise-canceling headphones, and a fidget. [Image: A Barbie in a… 1/213 Jan 2026 20:30 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcdfic3j322shttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mbziz2rnk22xWith love, we remember Advisory Council member Devva Kasnitz (z”l), who we lost last January (1/25/25). She dedicated her career to creating the field of #DisabilityStudies and its infrastructure. Devva’s Room remains a space to learn #DisabilityHistory: lnk.to/devvasroom. [Video: Devva... 1/309 Jan 2026 22:06 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbziz2rnk22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mbp4ggk56c27#AACUsers, if you are interested in participating in #AAC research, please join our research email distribution list: lnk.to/rlist. You will be first to know about studies paving the way to a better future for our community. Support persons are also welcome to sign up. 📷: @affecttheverb.com/… 1/205 Jan 2026 18:55 +0000at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbp4ggk56c27