People with Communication Disabilities Speak Out
Digital Storytelling and Advocacy
On February 15, 2023, the See Us, Hear Us Campaign won an Anthem Award! See details here.
The See Us, Hear Us Campaign aims to elevate the voices, perspectives, and unique experiences of the millions of people in the United States who cannot rely on speech alone to be heard and understood, regardless of disability or condition.
Bias, stereotypes, and discrimination have perpetuated the fallacy that not being able to speak means not being able to think. That mindset continues to ensure that the vast majority of us are denied access to robust, effective augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools and supports, creating an impossible existence where we are required to prove we can understand and use language without being provided the tools to do so. Members of our community frequently experience lifelong social isolation, which the pandemic has only compounded.
These are the first of the videos in the See Us, Hear Us series, produced by award-winning filmmaker Dan Habib.
Project Aims
The See Us, Hear Us Campaign will challenge the persistent prejudice and discrimination based on age-old assumptions that we have little to say and contribute to our communities and the nation.
CommunicationFIRST is the only national nonprofit led by and for people with disabilities and dedicated to the civil rights of people who rely on AAC to be heard and understood. Even in the best of times, we are routinely discriminated against and denied equal opportunity and access to education, employment, community, health care, and even the communication supports necessary to make decisions about our own lives.
If you want to support our Campaign, please reach out to info@communicationfirst.org and help us create 10-12 more videos illustrating the diversity, strengths, and humanity of our community.
