CommunicationFIRST
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communicationfirst.bsky.social
CommunicationFIRST
@communicationfirst.bsky.social
1.1K followers 130 following 170 posts
Disability-led 501(c)(3) protecting the civil rights of humans who cannot rely on speech alone to be heard and understood.
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communicationfirst.bsky.social
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.

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February 14, 2026 at 2:13 PM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
Every 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

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[Image: Young children sit at a circular school table and paint. A teacher sits with them, smiling at one of the paintings.]
February 10, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Reposted by CommunicationFIRST
thinkingautism.com
Medicaid matters because it "enables me to oversee my own caregivers—including friends and other people I trust. That control matters deeply. It means I am not just receiving care; I am directing my life." -Marisa Conners with @communicationfirst.bsky.social:

communicationfirst.org/medicaid-the...
Medicaid: The Quiet Force Behind My Independence
Guest Blog by Marisa Conners
communicationfirst.org
February 9, 2026 at 3:53 AM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
“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.
WATCH: Minneapolis resident and U.S. citizen Aliya Rahman describes being detained by ICE
YouTube video by PBS NewsHour
youtu.be
February 6, 2026 at 3:33 PM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
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

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[Image: A generative AI illustration of Pancho Ramirez smiling. He sits in a wheelchair with a robotic arm and a phone attached at each side, and wears a CommunicationFIRST shirt.]
February 3, 2026 at 7:47 PM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
#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

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[Image: Marisa Conners wears a sparkling pink formal dress & poses in front of a background filled with golden lights, stars, & orbs.]
January 28, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Reposted by CommunicationFIRST
abctautism.bsky.social
Such a great resource! Definitely check this out for tips for AAC users and allies to do policy advocacy!
communicationfirst.bsky.social CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · 27d
#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

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[Image: Policy Advocacy 101 for AAC Users and Allies is written in bold lettering. Above the title is a screenshot of Angelica Vega smiling with the CommunicationFIRST logo behind her. Below the title are a screenshot of Samuel Habib smiling and a circle that contains the words, “Webinar with: Angelica Vega, Samuel Habib, Jordyn Zimmerman, Toby Latham, Dean Strauss, Bob Williams.”]
January 21, 2026 at 10:51 PM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
#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…

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[Image: Policy Advocacy 101 for AAC Users and Allies is written in bold lettering. Above the title is a screenshot of Angelica Vega smiling with the CommunicationFIRST logo behind her. Below the title are a screenshot of Samuel Habib smiling and a circle that contains the words, “Webinar with: Angelica Vega, Samuel Habib, Jordyn Zimmerman, Toby Latham, Dean Strauss, Bob Williams.”]
January 21, 2026 at 9:37 PM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
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.

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[Image: A Barbie in a purple and white striped dress wears pink headphones and holds a pink AAC device. She holds a pink fidget in the other hand.]
January 13, 2026 at 8:30 PM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
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.

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January 9, 2026 at 10:06 PM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
#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/…

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[Image: A person with short, thick hair and prescription glasses sits at an organized workstation, using a magnification app to navigate a webpage. Their posture is proper and relaxed. On the desk: a computer, a mouse, a large desk lamp, and a small notebook.]
January 5, 2026 at 6:55 PM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
The IDEA turned 50 earlier this year. It has guaranteed access to #AAC, therapy, aides, & 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.

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December 31, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Reposted by CommunicationFIRST
communicationfirst.bsky.social
It’s the season for sharing! Introduce us to someone new by tagging them in a comment, & 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.

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[Image: A person stands with their back to the camera, looking at a large body of water. They are wearing a CommunicationFIRST t-shirt with the tagline, “Because communication is a human right.”] (2/2)
December 23, 2025 at 12:19 PM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
People who cannot rely on speech alone to be heard & 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

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[Text reads, “CommunicationFIRST is critical to the progress we need to continue to make. Sarah Blackstone.” The CommunicationFIRST logo in black and white appears at the bottom of the graphic.]
December 27, 2025 at 6:53 PM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
It’s the season for sharing! Introduce us to someone new by tagging them in a comment, & 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.

[Image: A…

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[Image: A person stands with their back to the camera, looking at a large body of water. They are wearing a CommunicationFIRST t-shirt with the tagline, “Because communication is a human right.”] (2/2)
December 23, 2025 at 12:19 PM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
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.

[Video: Angelica Vega…

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December 19, 2025 at 6:01 PM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
#JudyHeumann'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

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December 15, 2025 at 11:19 PM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
Your support means the universe to us as we work to create a more just society for people with speech-related #disabilities. Please consider CommunicationFIRST in your year-end giving. We need your support to achieve our vision! lnk.to/endyr. Thank you!

📷 @affecttheverb.com…

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[Image: A drawing of five disabled BIPOC sitting in a planetarium, looking up at stars. Each has a different disability, including an AAC user at the left.]
December 11, 2025 at 8:51 PM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
Our Board Member Toby Latham successfully advocated with the Virginia legislature to require educators to be trained to support each individual student’s unique #AAC-related needs before the school year starts! The VDOE released this 2-pager to explain the new law: lnk.to/vdoe.

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[Image: A selfie of Toby Latham, his wife Lindsay, and their young son who is an AAC user. With the U.S. Capitol and clear blue skies in the background, the three of them smile widely.]
December 7, 2025 at 11:53 PM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
We are so grateful for all the #GivingTuesday donations we’ve received in the past few days! Your support helps us keep fighting for the rights of people with speech-related #disabilities. If you haven’t given yet, please consider supporting us this week. lnk.to/givingt

📷: #VisibleAAC...

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[Image: Jacob Bradley stands in the middle of a crowd, holding a US flag & a sign featuring an AAC device screenshot & a photo of himself, with the words Medicaid Saves Lives. Above this scene is the CommunicationFIRST logo, & below it is the text: Because communication is a human right.]
December 3, 2025 at 6:04 PM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
Our #GivingTuesday fundraiser! lnk.to/givingt
communicationfirst.bsky.social CommunicationFIRST @communicationfirst.bsky.social · Nov 29
CommunicationFIRST is committed to ensuring that all people with speech-related disabilities are respected, supported, & valued members of their communities. Consider including communication advocacy in your #GivingTuesday plans; donate any amount you can: lnk.to/givingt

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[Image: In a classroom, a woman and a young girl sit at a table with two tablets on it. They are focused on the tablet closest to them, which the girl is using.]
December 2, 2025 at 2:13 PM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
CommunicationFIRST is committed to ensuring that all people with speech-related disabilities are respected, supported, & valued members of their communities. Consider including communication advocacy in your #GivingTuesday plans; donate any amount you can: lnk.to/givingt

[Image: In a…

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[Image: In a classroom, a woman and a young girl sit at a table with two tablets on it. They are focused on the tablet closest to them, which the girl is using.]
November 29, 2025 at 10:30 PM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
Just in time for your holiday shopping: Jordyn’s shirt is back! At this link only until 12/4: lnk.to/shpc. Give a gift that supports communication #advocacy. #SpeechDoesNotMakeSomeoneMoreHuman

@jordynbzim.bsky.social

[Image: Jordyn Zimmerman sits smiling on a rooftop bench, wearing a…

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[Image: Jordyn Zimmerman sits smiling on a rooftop bench, wearing a shirt that says “Speech does not make someone more human.” She holds an AAC device and a jacket. Behind her, partly cloudy skies and a tree-lined cityscape stretch into the distance.]
November 26, 2025 at 12:20 AM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
We’re still processing the crushing news about the passing of CommunicationFIRST friend and Advisory Council member #AliceWong. We were made better by her work. Read about some of her #AAC and communication-disability-related activism and legacy here: lnk.to/alicew

@sfdirewolf.bsky.social...

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November 22, 2025 at 12:12 AM
communicationfirst.bsky.social
Welcome our new Director of Policy & Legal Advocacy, Sam Crane! Sam is a Harvard-trained lawyer with particular legal & policy experience in #CommunicationRights, long-term supports & services, & supported decision-making as an alternative to guardianship. lnk.to/crane

@samanticka.bsky.social

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[Image: A fair-skinned person with light brown, shoulder-length hair, and dark brown eyes sits looking at the camera with a slight smile. She is wearing glasses and a knitted shawl fastened by a clasp.]
November 14, 2025 at 8:10 PM