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Category: Research

Tim Jin, a smiling AAC user with a shaved head, sits in his powerchair and presents onstage at the AAC Research Summit. Tim's AAC device is positioned by his bare feet, with which he types.

Tim Jin on Embracing Change in AAC Technology

December 30, 2024 Communication FIRST

Typing with his toes is one way our Board Director Tim Jin communicates. Tim’s key(board) to success has been embracing change in AAC technology! Learn more from his AAC Research Summit talk.

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Posted in: Events, News, Research, Technology, Uncategorized Filed under: events, films, Future of AAC Research Summit, research, technology
Lateef McLeod, a Black man wearing a black fleece top sits in his power wheelchair smiling at the camera.

Dr. Lateef McLeod on “How Ableism Impacts People Who Use AAC”

November 20, 2024 Communication FIRST

Dr. Lateef McLeod’s “How Ableism Impacts People Who Use AAC” presentation was first given at the Future of AAC Research Summit on May 14, 2024, in Arlington, Virginia.

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Posted in: Events, News, Research, Uncategorized Filed under: ableism, events, films, Future of AAC Research Summit, research
A smiling young girl uses her AAC device. Three women surrounding the girl cheer her on, and another woman sitting at the dining room table with them takes notes.

Connecting on AAC Research Opportunities

October 29, 2024 Communication FIRST

If you are a researcher, an AAC user interested in research opportunities, or a person supporting an AAC user interested in these opportunities, learn about how we can best connect you!

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Posted in: News, Research, Uncategorized Filed under: aac research, research, researchers
Bob Williams and Jordyn Zimmerman sit on a dais chatting with one another. They both have AAC devices in front of them.

Bob Williams on Literacy and AAC

August 23, 2024 Communication FIRST

Bob Williams’s Literacy and AAC presentation was first given at the Future of AAC Research Summit on May 14, 2024, in Arlington, Virginia.

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Posted in: Events, News, Policy, Research, Uncategorized Filed under: events, films, Future of AAC Research Summit, literacy, policy, research
Three different speech generating devices are on a round table among drinking glasses and dinner plates. An AAC user's hand is in view as they type on one of the devices.

Technology for Equitable Communication: AAC Users Weigh In

July 25, 2024 Communication FIRST

CommunicationFIRST held a brainstorming session to begin to identify some of the “good, bad, and ugly” ways technologies can uniquely impact people with speech-related disabilities.

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Posted in: Events, News, Policy, Research, Technology, Uncategorized Filed under: policy, public policy, research, technology, technology for equitable communication
Pancho Ramirez, a Latino AAC user, uses his AAC device.

New Film, 13 AAC Users: Priorities for Future Research

July 11, 2024 Communication FIRST

CommunicationFIRST publicly recruited a diverse group of AAC users who were willing to be interviewed on camera about their priorities for AAC research.

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Posted in: Events, News, Policy, Research, Technology Filed under: events, films, Future of AAC Research Summit, policy, research, technology
Screenshot of Alice Wong from her video presentation

AAC Research Summit: Select AAC Users on Research Priorities

June 21, 2024 Communication FIRST

In a first-of-its-kind event held May 13-14, 2024, people with speech-related disabilities from around the U.S. told senior federal officials and researchers how future research dollars should be prioritized.

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Posted in: Events, News, Policy, Research, Technology Filed under: events, films, Future of AAC Research Summit, policy, research, technology
Stock image photo showing two hands, one on a tablet and one holding a writing utensil in front of an open laptop

Federally Funded Research About AAC Needs to Change

November 7, 2023 Communication FIRST

Last month, CommunicationFIRST submitted extensive input to one of the largest federal government funders of AAC-related research — the National…

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Posted in: Policy, Public Comments, Research
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders wants to hear from you!

Research Priorities of AAC Users

August 6, 2023 Communication FIRST

We encourage as many AAC users as possible to share your research priorities with NIDCD.

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Posted in: Policy, Public Comments, Research, Resources
"What is Research?" in black on a bright yellow background with a stylized lightbulb and several question marks in white

What Is Research?

August 1, 2023 Communication FIRST

This is a plain language guide to research and why it is important. The government is asking people what kind…

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Posted in: Policy, Public Comments, Research, Resources
two people in blue-green scrubs and masks hovering over a patient

Are AAC Users at Greater Risk of Dying from COVID? (Updated)

December 20, 2020 Communication First

These nine studies, published between May and December 2020, tell us people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (including those who rely on AAC) are between 1.7 and 16 times more likely to die from COVID if they get it than those who do not have I/DD. 

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Posted in: Research, Resources Filed under: covid-19

We need your support to help protect and advance the rights of people who are unable to rely on speech alone to be heard and understood!

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