ableism | CommunicationFIRST

The Art of Surviving and Thriving on the Margins: Ren Koloni Discusses Being Disabled in Graduate School

April 16, 2026 Communication FIRST

CommunicationFIRST Program Associate Ren Koloni shares their experience in graduate school as a multiply disabled AAC user. Ren discusses access for our community and their research on ableism in medical settings.

Glenda Watson Hyatt smiles broadly at the camera, wearing a graduation gown. She sits in a mobility device on a stage with a crowd of other graduates visible behind her off-stage.

Expert Q&A: Employment Experiences of People with Speech Disabilities

February 18, 2026 Communication FIRST

In this guest blog, Glenda Watson Hyatt answers our questions about her recent master’s thesis on the employment (and discrimination) of people with speech disabilities, including those who use AAC.

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.

Screengrab of the NIDILRR Research Long Range Planning Stakeholder Follow Up Webinar on April 20, 2023. On the left, there is a slide with the working definition of “Ableism” by Talila Lewis. At the top of the slide, the word “ableism” is followed by its pronunciation and the word, “noun.” Below, the definition reads, “A system of assigning value to people’s bodies and minds based on societally constructed ideas of normalcy, productivity, desirability, intelligence, excellence, and fitness. These constructed ideas are deeply rooted in eugenics, anti-Blackness, misogyny, colonialism, imperialism, and capitalism. This systemic oppression leads to people and society determining people’s value based on their culture, age, language, appearance, religion, birth or living place, ‘health/wellness’, and/or their ability to satisfactorily re/produce, ‘excel’ and ‘behave.’ You do not have to be disabled to experience ableism.” Below the definition, yellow text reads, “Working definition by @TalilaLewis, updated January 2022, developed in community with disabled Black/negatively racialized folk, especially @NotThreeFifths.” On the right, there is an ASL interpreter with light skin wearing a black shirt. On the right of the ASL interpreter, there is a woman with brown skin and long black hair up in a ponytail wearing a red shirt with flowers and a black suit jacket.

When Agencies Listen

May 16, 2023 Communication FIRST

It’s gratifying when policymakers #LISTEN! On November 21, 2022, CommunicationFIRST submitted comments to the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living,…