<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"><channel><description>Disability-led 501(c)(3) protecting the civil rights of humans who cannot rely on speech alone to be heard and understood. </description><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social</link><title>@communicationfirst.bsky.social - CommunicationFIRST</title><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mijwp7ziuk2m</link><description>#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 &amp; access from autistic people, watch LISTEN: lnkfi.re/listenfilm.&#xA;&#xA;@autisticadvocacy.org</description><pubDate>02 Apr 2026 19:25 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mijwp7ziuk2m</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mia74gxwjc2l</link><description>CommunicationFIRST 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. &#xA;&#xA;📸 Image...&#xA;&#xA;1/2</description><pubDate>29 Mar 2026 22:29 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mia74gxwjc2l</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mhvojhrjwc2i</link><description>#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 &#xA;&#xA;[Image: Bold black…&#xA;&#xA;1/2</description><pubDate>25 Mar 2026 18:06 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhvojhrjwc2i</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mhebfmjdzk2g</link><description>#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&#xA;&#xA;@sfdirewolf.bsky.social #AliceIsLove&#xA;&#xA;1/2</description><pubDate>18 Mar 2026 19:55 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhebfmjdzk2g</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mgxua7qbic2g</link><description>Are you attending this year’s #HealthierTogether Conference? CommunicationFIRST Director of Policy &amp; Legal Advocacy Sam Crane is part of a panel of experts presenting on 5/13 &amp; discussing #HealthCare best practices for people with #disabilities: lnk.to/hlthtog. @samanticka.bsky.social&#xA;&#xA;[Image:…&#xA;&#xA;1/3</description><pubDate>13 Mar 2026 21:28 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgxua7qbic2g</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mgnv27mdx22a</link><description>Our 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.&#xA;&#xA;@autisticadvocacy.org &#xA;&#xA;1/2</description><pubDate>09 Mar 2026 22:16 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgnv27mdx22a</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mg64xyvk3c27</link><description>#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 💙&#xA;&#xA;…&#xA;&#xA;1/2</description><pubDate>03 Mar 2026 15:55 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mg64xyvk3c27</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mfumhk6wvs2a</link><description>At an Office of Special Education &amp; Rehabilitative Services listening session, the plea of attendees was clear: don’t weaken oversight of equity in #SpecialEd. Learn ways to advocate &amp; how OSERS has supported students like our Board Chair Jordyn Zimmerman. lnk.to/jzosers @jordynbzim.bsky.social&#xA;&#xA;1/2</description><pubDate>27 Feb 2026 21:06 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfumhk6wvs2a</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mfkiry7h4c2j</link><description>“Working together is vital to our survival more than ever,” says our co-founder Bob Williams. In an interview from (Un)Hidden: Disability Histories &amp; Our World, Bob shares some of the history he participated in &amp; calls us to act now for #DisabilityRights: lnk.to/unhidden.&#xA;&#xA;[Image: Bob…&#xA;&#xA;1/2</description><pubDate>23 Feb 2026 20:33 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfkiry7h4c2j</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mf5o2agch22p</link><description>In 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.&#xA;&#xA;@queensuresearch.bsky.social &#xA;&#xA;[Image: Glenda Watson Hyatt raises her…&#xA;&#xA;1/2</description><pubDate>18 Feb 2026 18:03 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mf5o2agch22p</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3met7ef2cis2c</link><description>Can’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.&#xA;&#xA;[Video: Montage of photos and video clips featuring…&#xA;&#xA;1/3</description><pubDate>14 Feb 2026 14:13 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3met7ef2cis2c</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mejil7eoac25</link><description>Every student deserves to be safe at school. House &amp; Senate leaders reintroduced the Keeping All Students Safe Act to protect students from #seclusion &amp; dangerous #restraint in school. Learn how to help &amp; learn about KASSA’s impact on our community here: lnk.to/KASSAblog @copaafape.bsky.social &#xA;&#xA;1/2</description><pubDate>10 Feb 2026 17:32 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mejil7eoac25</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3me7a2oiahs2v</link><description>“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.&#xA;https://youtu.be/zrcW8SZtYpI?si=iL8Oo86bNfgnA78C</description><pubDate>06 Feb 2026 15:33 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3me7a2oiahs2v</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mdy4uoe77k2h</link><description>Wiki 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 &#xA;&#xA;[Image: A generative AI…&#xA;&#xA;1/2</description><pubDate>03 Feb 2026 19:47 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdy4uoe77k2h</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mdiiahzdnk2b</link><description>#DisabilityAdvocate, #AACUser, &amp; fashionista, Marisa Conners, says her #Medicaid #HCBS waiver ensures her “needs &amp; preferences are respected,” &amp; it enables her to advocate &amp; create in ways that align with her communication style. Learn how in her guest blog. lnk.to/marisa&#xA;&#xA;[Image: Marisa...&#xA;&#xA;1/2</description><pubDate>28 Jan 2026 14:28 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdiiahzdnk2b</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mcxmxpjdec2o</link><description>#PublicPolicy refers to how our government turns our requests into rules &amp; laws. In our Policy Advocacy 101 Webinar for AAC Users &amp; Allies, #PolicyChange advocates, like Samuel Habib &amp; Angelica Vega, share tips for advocating at all levels of #government. lnk.to/adv101&#xA;&#xA;[Image: Policy Advocacy…&#xA;&#xA;1/3</description><pubDate>21 Jan 2026 21:37 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcxmxpjdec2o</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mcdfic3j322s</link><description>Representation 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.&#xA;&#xA;[Image: A Barbie in a…&#xA;&#xA;1/2</description><pubDate>13 Jan 2026 20:30 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcdfic3j322s</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mbziz2rnk22x</link><description>With 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.&#xA;&#xA;[Video: Devva...&#xA;&#xA;1/3</description><pubDate>09 Jan 2026 22:06 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbziz2rnk22x</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mbp4ggk56c27</link><description>#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.&#xA;&#xA;📷: @affecttheverb.com/…&#xA;&#xA;1/2</description><pubDate>05 Jan 2026 18:55 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbp4ggk56c27</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mbbwr5yr422f</link><description>The IDEA turned 50 earlier this year. It has guaranteed access to #AAC, therapy, aides, &amp; our right to be educated alongside people without #disabilities. In the year ahead, tell your representatives the future you want to see for the IDEA. Resource here: lnk.to/adv101.&#xA;&#xA;[Video: Ricardo…&#xA;&#xA;(1/2)</description><pubDate>31 Dec 2025 13:09 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbbwr5yr422f</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3manqboqrns2m</link><description>It’s the season for sharing! Introduce us to someone new by tagging them in a comment, &amp; we will enter you in our holiday giveaway. You could win a #CommunicationRights shirt of your choice from our Threadless shop. A winner will be randomly selected at the end of New Year’s Day.&#xA;&#xA;[Image: A…&#xA;&#xA;(1/2)</description><pubDate>23 Dec 2025 12:19 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3manqboqrns2m</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3mayi57k3pc2x</link><description>People who cannot rely on speech alone to be heard &amp; understood must fight for their #rights. We help our community do just that. Help us start 2026 strong. Everyone who donates from December 15 - 31, 2025 will receive a CommunicationFIRST coaster! lnk.to/endyr&#xA;&#xA;[Image: Text reads,…&#xA;&#xA;(1/2)</description><pubDate>27 Dec 2025 18:53 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mayi57k3pc2x</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3manqboqrns2m</link><description>It’s the season for sharing! Introduce us to someone new by tagging them in a comment, &amp; we will enter you in our holiday giveaway. You could win a #CommunicationRights shirt of your choice from our Threadless shop. A winner will be randomly selected at the end of New Year’s Day.&#xA;&#xA;[Image: A…&#xA;&#xA;(1/2)</description><pubDate>23 Dec 2025 12:19 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3manqboqrns2m</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3maebi7glrc2y</link><description>Interested in #PolicyAdvocacy? Want to find out how to influence policy? Check out our Policy Advocacy 101 Webinar: lnk.to/adv101. Learn tips and strategies from Angelica Vega, Samuel Habib, and more experts who advocate for #PolicyChange at all levels of #government.&#xA;&#xA;[Video: Angelica Vega…&#xA;&#xA;(1/2)</description><pubDate>19 Dec 2025 18:01 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3maebi7glrc2y</guid></item><item><link>https://bsky.app/profile/communicationfirst.bsky.social/post/3ma2rfet7y22a</link><description>#JudyHeumann&#39;s 78th birthday would have been this week. We remember her commitment to #DisabilityRights by sharing Bob Williams’ See Us, Hear Us film, where Judy appears at 10:33. The film challenges us to create a world with disability rights as the norm. lnkfi.re/bsuhu&#xA;&#xA;[Video: A montage...&#xA;&#xA;(1/3)</description><pubDate>15 Dec 2025 23:19 +0000</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">at://did:plc:rttsf4zrtbea47kiv56ec4vb/app.bsky.feed.post/3ma2rfet7y22a</guid></item></channel></rss>