CommunicationFIRST

[Image: A closeup of a tablet held by a person in a white lab coat with a stethoscope hanging from their neck. A second person, wearing scrubs, stands behind the tablet.]

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[Image: A closeup of a tablet held by a person in a white lab coat with a stethoscope hanging from their neck. A second person, wearing scrubs, stands behind the tablet.]

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.

@autisticadvocacy.org

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Large red and teal text reads “National Call-In Day” with the date March 5th 2026.Underneath, smaller text says “For special education and disability rights.” A black telephone handset is pictured on the left side against a textured background with red burst accents.

March 5 is a National Call-In Day to protect special education and disability rights.

Families and advocates are invited to contact Congress to support federal protections for students with disabilities.

Call the Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121
Calling tips: https://bit.ly/IDEA-CALLING-TIPS

[Image 1: Closeup of the Judith E. Heumann Memorial Bridge and CommunicationFIRST Policy Manager Lauren Proby smiling as she poses in front of it.

Image 2: Long shot of the bridge and bare trees on a cloudy March day ahead of the 3-year anniversary of Judy’s passing (3/4/2026).]

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[Image 1: Closeup of the Judith E. Heumann Memorial Bridge and CommunicationFIRST Policy Manager Lauren Proby smiling as she poses in front of it.]

[Image 2: Long shot of the bridge and bare trees on a cloudy March day ahead of the 3-year anniversary of Judy’s passing (3/4/2026).]

#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 💙

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[Image: Jordyn Zimmerman stands on the steps of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, with the West Wing of the White House behind her.]

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[Image: Jordyn Zimmerman stands on the steps of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, with the West Wing of the White House behind her.]

At an Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services listening session, the plea of attendees was clear: don’t weaken oversight of equity in #SpecialEd. Learn ways to advocate & how OSERS has supported students like our Board Chair Jordyn Zimmerman. lnk.to/jzosers @jordynbzim.bsky.social

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Graphic featuring a map of the United States with nine states highlighted in red: Alaska, Montana, South Dakota, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. Black lines point from the 9 states to a callout box that reads, “9 states are attacking the right of people with disabilities to live in the community.” The headline reads, “Texas v. Kennedy (2026): The renewed attack on Section 504 and Olmstead. Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 10:30 am PT | 1:30 pm ET.” REGISTER"

Nine states are targeting the integration mandate that protects disabled people from forced institutionalization.
Learn what’s at stake and how to fight back.
Feb 25 | 10:30am PT / 1:30pm ET
Register: https://dredf-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Q1oN3icfRrCY36saLlwgJA#/registration

Williams sits at the head of the Roosevelt Room conference table in the White House with his AAC device mounted on his power chair. He is laughing along with President Obama, Attorney General Holder, & other disability leaders.]

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[Bob Williams sits at the head of the Roosevelt Room conference table in the White House with his AAC device mounted on his power chair. He is laughing along with President Obama, Attorney General Holder, & other disability leaders.]

“Working together is vital to our survival more than ever,” says our co-founder Bob Williams. In an interview from (Un)Hidden: Disability Histories & Our World, Bob shares some of the history he participated in & calls us to act now for #DisabilityRights: lnk.to/unhidden.

[Image: Bob…

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hands in triumph, while seated in a mobility scooter in front of a stone building. She wears a black graduation robe.]

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[Image: Glenda Watson Hyatt raises her hands in triumph, while seated in a mobility scooter in front of a stone building. She wears a black graduation robe.]

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.

@queensuresearch.bsky.social

[Image: Glenda Watson Hyatt raises her…

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you have a voice, you can use it to help bring dignity back for the members of the more marginalized autistics. Let’s change the plotlines and the narratives around nonspeaking autistics so more and more are allowed to be visible in society and avail of opportunities in all kinds of areas.”]

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nonspeaking autistics and a voice-over. LISTEN narrator Bobby Shabangu says, “How do we get it right? Consult nonspeaking autists from the start and at key points throughout your project. Read our blogs and books. Watch our movies and videos. Learn about our lives.” Hari Srinivasan says, “If…

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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.

[Video: Montage of photos and video clips featuring…

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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.]

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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.]

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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Medicaid: The Quiet Force Behind My Independence Guest Blog by Marisa Conners

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...

I’m autistic and have a brain injury. ICE dragged me from my car anyway. Exclusive Details: Aliya Rahman speaks to Eric Garcia about her ordeals — on the streets of Minneapolis, in a grim ICE detention center where she was mocked over her condition and through the public t...

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...

WATCH: Minneapolis resident and U.S. citizen Aliya Rahman describes being detained by ICE YouTube video by PBS NewsHour

“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.

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.]

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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.]

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

[Image: A generative AI…

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Conners wears a sparkling pink formal dress & poses in front of a background filled with golden lights, stars, & orbs.]

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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.]

#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

[Image: Marisa...

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Such a great resource! Definitely check this out for tips for AAC users and allies to do policy advocacy!

Habib, Jordyn Zimmerman, Toby Latham, Dean Strauss, Bob Williams.”]

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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…

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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.”]

#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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purple and white striped dress wears pink headphones and holds a pink AAC device. She holds a pink fidget in the other hand.]

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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.]

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.

[Image: A Barbie in a…

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