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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Alice was a fierce advocate for people who need and use AAC, and presented and wrote with passion on the impact of ableism on basic human rights. She will be deeply missed.. doi.org/10.1080/0743... rerc-aac.psu.edu/2025/08/07/h... Image of Alice Wong & journal abstract #AliceWong #AAC #disability

rerc-aac.psu.edu

How ableism impacts people who need and use AAC (Wong, 2025)

Wong (2025) is now freely available at

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

Critically important information, wonderful to see the complete special issue is now freely available! See link in original post

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Jordyn Zimmerman calls for “a more user-centered design approach across the board—where AAC users are not merely participants, but leaders…” Free at doi.org/10.1080/0743... @communicationfirst.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social

Picture of Jordyn Zimmerman presenting at the Future of AAC Research Summit, and text that reads
“There must be deep understanding around our needs, desires, and pain points—with the goal of designing and developing in ways that efficiently address them."

Beyond access: the intersecting role of AAC, literacy, and technology Zimmerman (2025)

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

endever* describes their “meaningful participation in society as a semispeaking AAC user, the importance of self-determination and interdependence, and the critical role of participatory research.” Free at AAC journal doi.org/10.1080/0743... @communicationfirst.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social

Picture of endever* corbin. Screenshot of text that reads
“I want everyone who struggles with speech – no, every disabled person period –
no, every single human – to have an opportunity to explore
multiple robust, culturally and linguistically appropriate,
queer-friendly AAC options.”
(corbin, 2025)
corbin, endever*. (2025). Speech is exhausting. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2513907

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

RP+ "I have so many wishes regarding decreasing social isolation for myself, our participants, and the wider community of AAC users. I wish for investment in technology that fully adapts to the needs and preferences of each user, and funding for well-paid, highly qualified communication supporters."

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Grant Blasko is 22 years old, autistic, a full-time user of AAC, and a university student. His paper, “Unveiling underlying systemic isolation challenges for AAC users”, is free at doi.org/10.1080/0743... @communicationfirst.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social

Picture of (left to right) Tracy Rackensperger, Cynthia Blasko, Grant Blasko, and Kevin Williams. Screenshot of text that reads
“Establishing a shared understanding of the strategies, techniques, and skills of successful AAC users could challenge ableist expectations while fostering group solidarity.”

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

Blasko, Light, McNaughton, Williams & Zimmerman: "people who need or use AAC must be leaders and co-creators in all activities that are about them or impact them" Free at AAC journal doi.org/10.1080/0743... @communicationfirst.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social

Picture of Janice Light and Jordyn Zimmerman, screenshot of text that reads
“There is a long history of communities, marginalized by race, ethnicity, disability, gender, etc., that have called for leadership roles and full participation in all activities undertaken about them.
Now is the time for the AAC field to fully embrace this challenge.”
Blasko et al. (2025)
Citation that reads
Blasko, G., Light, J., McNaughton, D., Williams, B., & Zimmerman, J. (2025). Nothing about AAC users without AAC users: a call for meaningful inclusion in research, technology development, and professional training. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2514748

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Ren Koloni (2025): "...the vast majority of people who cannot rely on speech alone to be heard and understood still lack meaningful access to effective communication...” Free at AAC Journal doi.org/10.1080/0743... @communicationfirst.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social

Picture of Ren Koloni, screenshot of text that reads
“To be denied expression of the self should be unimaginable, but it is not.
It is happening.
It is our responsibility as researchers, as advocates, and as people to not only imagine it, but to find out why, how, where, when, and in what ways it happens—and
to make it right”
abstract, and link to article at Koloni, R. (2025). To include us in our own worlds: AAC is not optional. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2515283

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

Kevin Williams and Christine Holyfield (2025) describe new directions for innovation in AAC innovation, free at AAC journal doi.org/10.1080/0743... @communicationfirst.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social

text that reads "innovation in AAC will only result in AAC that is ideal for its users when it is built with the people it is built for" Williams & Holyfield, 2025 Williams, K., & Holyfield, C. (2025). Future of AAC technologies: priorities for inclusive innovation. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1-4. https:/.oi.tl/23 https://doi.org/10.108 /10.1080/074346', picture of Kevin Williams and Christine Holyfield

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

As Jordyn writes, "When students are meaningfully included in their school community and have access to the tools and support they need to thrive, their learning opportunities (i.e., their access to literacy, academic vocabulary, and conceptual knowledge) expand in unimaginable ways. "

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Bob Williams (2025) describes how “Access to language-based communication and literacy tools is essential to safeguarding and securing human and civil rights” Free at AAC journal doi.org/10.1080/0743... @communicationfirst.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social

Picture of Bob Williams and text that says People who need AAC should be afforded access to communication and literacy support at every stage of life – from the youngest young to the oldest old. Also, citation to the paper “Williams, B. (2025). Reading, writing, and AAC are fundamental. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2508492”

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

Patrick Regan, president-elect for @ussaac.bsky.social, describes “access challenges that I have experienced as someone who uses AAC, how my team and I have resolved them, and what challenges I face now.” Free doi.org/10.1080/0743... @communicationfirst.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social

Picture of Patrick Regan, screenshot of abstract, and link to article at Regan, P. (2025). The first word in accessibility is “access.” Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2513912

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

McNaughton, McLemore & Rackensperger (2025) describe how new approaches to AAC can support societal participation Free at AAC journal doi.org/10.1080/0743... @communicationfirst.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social @aacjournal.bsky.social @cekter.bsky.social

Screenshot of David, Tracy and Lance, and Text quote that reads "

To support communication & participation,
AAC research and development must:

strengthen the expression of personal identity;

•support integrated use of multimodal communication; &

•reduce the demands of communicative interaction (while supporting language and literacy development).

•McNaughton, McLemore, & Rackensperger (2025)

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Pancho Ramirez (2025) describes his evolving use of AAC, and the importance of supporting communication with family members (in multiple languages!) Now free at the AAC journal doi.org/10.1080/0743... @communicationfirst.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social

Picture of Pancho and excerpt of text from his article in the AAC journal

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

Holyfield, Light, Nieder & Preece (2025) describe external challenges to learning language for those who need or use AAC Free at @aacjournal.bsky.social doi.org/10.1080/0743... @communicationfirst.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social

Screenshot of Jamie Preece and Text quote that reads "“Everyone wanted me to start off with wants and needs. But I felt like I was communicating that pretty well without the device. I wanted to talk about more interesting stuff with AAC. I was boring. I couldn’t say the things I wanted to say. It’s not all about schoolwork or what you would like to get or do. I wanted to make a joke. I wanted to talk about my feelings. AAC is for life, not just for school. It’s not just wants and needs – it’s dreams and your actual life.”

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

“For far too long... research has ignored the greatest problem – the pervasive societal barriers that limit access to AAC and to meaningful opportunities to communicate and participate in society.” doi.org/10.1080/0743... @communicationfirst.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social

Button that reads
"Attitudes are the real disability"
Text that reads
Light, J., Fager, S. K., Gormley, J., Hyatt, G. W., & Jakobs, E. (2025). Dismantling societal barriers that limit people who need or use AAC: lived experiences, key research findings, and future directions. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2508490

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Alice Wong (2025) describes her use of AAC to combat ableism:"Nonspeaking people belong in public, holding court in conversations, doing our thing, our access needs respected, and being our full selves unapologetically" Free @aacjournal.bsky.social doi.org/10.1080/0743... @sfdirewolf.bsky.social

Alice Wong and a screenshot of the Abstract of her article in the AAC journal, free at https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2489663

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

For people who need or use AAC, what are the external barriers to literacy learning? and how can future R&D better support literacy learning? Free at the AAC journal doi.org/10.1080/0743... @communicationfirst.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social

Parent and child read book, and cite for " Light, J., Holyfield, C., McNaughton, D., Nieder, D., & Preece, J. (2025). Overcoming barriers to literacy for individuals who need or use AAC: lived experiences, key research findings, and future directions. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2502032 "

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Godfrey Nazareth (2025) describes living with motor neuron disease and his creation of AAC technology that has helped him live life to the fullest. Free at AAC journal doi.org/10.1080/0743... @communicationfirst.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social

Godfrey Nazareth and a picture of the text from his article

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

One (of many) favorite quotes "self-determination does not, or at least should not, imply or necessitate independence... every person is interdependent. We are all part of a human ecosystem, a vast network of give and take, and need and support, just as much as we are part of our local biome."

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Bob Williams (2025) describes the need to “work together to bring about communication equity, not for the privileged few, but for all.” Now free at the AAC journal #OpenAccess doi.org/10.1080/0743... @communicationfirst.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt describes how her experiences and academic work have shaped her belief in the importance of disability inclusion and representation in research. Now free at the AAC journal #openaccess doi.org/10.1080/0743... @communicationfirst.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social

Dr. Anajli Forber-Pratt and a screenshot of the article abstract

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Reposted by @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social

d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Dr. Lateef McLeod describes the impact of Ableism, and strategies for moving the field of AAC forward: Now free at the AAC journal doi.org/10.1080/0743... #OpenAccess @communicationfirst.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

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Reposted by @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social

ISAAC International @isaacinternational.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

Early Bird registration is now open for our upcoming virtual event! 🐥 The Call for Papers deadline is June 13, 2025. Learn more at: conference.isaac-online.org

conference.isaac-online.org

ISAAC Conference

Get ready for an incredible ISAAC educational event during AAC Awareness Month 2024

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Tim Jin (2025) describes his four decade journey with AAC, and the importance of AAC adapting “to the user, rather than the user adjusting to the device." doi.org/10.1080/0743... Free at AAC journal #AAC #AugComm @isaacinternational.bsky.social @ussaac.bsky.social @aacjournal.bsky.social

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

Melissa Crisp-Cooper (2025) : “Life with a significant disability has taught me to be flexible, resourceful, creative, and empathetic.” Free AAC Journal #OpenAccess doi.org/10.1080/0743... @ussaac.bsky.social @communicationfirst.bsky.social @isaacinternational.bsky.social @aacjournal.bsky.social

Picture of Melissa Crisp-Cooper and screenshot of title page

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Reposted by @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social

ISAAC International @isaacinternational.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

The deadline for submitting your abstract has been extended to Friday, June 13 at 4:00 pm EDT. Secure early bird rates, submit your abstract, and learn more at: conference.isaac-online.org #AAC #AugComm #AugmentativeAndAlternativeCommunication #CommunicationTools #AACSLP

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Now #openaccess Gormley et al., (2023). Supporting children’s communication of choices during inpatient rehabilitation: Effects of a mobile training for health care providers. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 32(2), 545–564. doi.org/10.1044/2022... #aac #patient-provider

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d-mcnaughton.bsky.social @d-mcnaughton.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Now #openaccess Brittlebank et al., (2024). A scoping review of AAC interventions for children and young adults with simultaneous visual and motor impairments: Clinical and research implications. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–19. doi.org/10.1080/0743... #AAC_Research #AAC

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