The AAC Learning Center has moved to AAC-Learning-Center.org

Future of AAC Research – Special Issue

by

Summit attendees listen to presentation
Janice Light and Jordyn Zimmerman in convesation
Summitt attendees listening to presenter

On May 13-14, 2024 the RERC on AAC and CommunicationFIRST co-hosted the Future of AAC Research Summit in Arlington, Virginia. The Future of AAC Research Summit was historic as it was the first conference that was planned, organized, and realized through the equitable, shared leadership of people who use AAC, a community advocate, and university-based researchers.

Twenty-one papers from this Summit are now freely available as a special issue in the AAC journal. Webcasts for 13 of the Summit presentations are also available.

cover of AAC journal

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, 41(3), 184–194. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2514748

Graphic for Blasko et al editorial

Forber-Pratt, A. J. (2025). A personal commentary about disability inclusion, and representation in research. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 195–199. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2499685

Video available at  https://tinyurl.com/AAC-Forber-Pratt-2024

Graphic for Forber-Pratt

 

McLeod, L. (2025). How Ableism impacts people who use AAC. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 200–202. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2489662

Video of presentation available at https://tinyurl.com/AAC-McLeod-2024

Graphic for McLeod

Wong, A. (2025). How ableism impacts people who need and use AAC. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 203–206. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2489663

Video of presentation available at https://tinyurl.com/AAC-Wong-2024

Graphic for Alice Wong

Williams, B. (2025). AAC and technology: what’s communication equity got to do with it? Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 207–210. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2504495

Video of presentation available at https://tinyurl.com/AAC-Williams-equity-2024

Graphic for Bob Williams

Williams, K., & Holyfield, C. (2025). Future of AAC technologies: priorities for inclusive innovation. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 211–214. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2513906

Video of presentation available at https://tinyurl.com/AAC-Williams-future-2024

Graphic for Williams and Holyfield

Blasko, G. (2025). Unveiling underlying systemic isolation challenges for AAC users. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 215–222. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2515279

Video of presentation available at https://tinyurl.com/AAC-Blasko-2024

Graphic for Blasko

Crisp-Cooper, M. (2025). Crossing the communication chasm. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 223–225. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2499681

Video of presentation available at https://tinyurl.com/AAC-Crisp-Cooper-2024

Graphic for Crisp-Cooper

Koloni, R. (2025). To include us in our own worlds: AAC is not optional. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 226–229. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2515283

Video of presentation available at https://tinyurl.com/AAC-Koloni-2024

Graphic for Koloni

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, 41(3), 230–244. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2508490

Graphic for Light et al ( 2025)

corbin, endever*. (2025). Speech is exhausting. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 245–247. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2513907

Video of presentation available at https://tinyurl.com/AAC-speech-2024

Graphic for endever*

Nazareth, G. (2025). Speaking from the heart: a story about innovation, resilience, and infinite possibilities with AAC. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 248–249. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2508491

Graphic for Godfrey Nazareth

McNaughton, D., Rackensperger, T., & McLemore, L. (2025). Supporting meaningful participation in society by adults with developmental disabilities who need and use AAC: lived experiences, key research findings, and future directions. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 250–263. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2504497

Graphic for McNaughton et al

Zimmerman, J. (2025). Beyond access: the intersecting role of AAC, literacy, and technology. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 264–266. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2504499

Graphic for Zimmerman

Holyfield, C., Light, J., Nieder, D., & Preece, J. (2025). External challenges for individuals who need or use AAC who are learning language: lived experiences, key research findings, and future directions. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 267–279. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2508485

Graphic for Holyfield et al

Williams, B. (2025). Reading, writing, and AAC are fundamental. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 280–282. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2508492

Video of presentation available at https://tinyurl.com/AAC-Williams-literacy-2024

Graphic for Williams

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, 41(3), 283–294. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2502032

Graphic for light et al

Jin, T. (2025). Embracing change in AAC technology: the keyboard to my success. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 295–296. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2508484

Video of presentation available at https://tinyurl.com/AAC-Jin-2024

Graphic for Jin

Ramirez, P. (2025). Alternative ways to access AAC technologies. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 297–299. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2513902

Video of presentation available at https://tinyurl.com/AAC-Ramirez-2024

Graphic for Ramirez

Regan, P. (2025). The first word in accessibility is “access.” Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 300–303. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2513912

Video of presentation available at https://tinyurl.com/AAC-Regan-2024

Graphic for Regan

Koester, H., Koch Fager, S., Gormley, J., Jakobs, E., Johnsen, K., & Brumberg, J. (2025). Supporting effective alternative access for individuals with physical disabilities: state of the science, emerging technologies, and future research directions. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 304–317. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2499676

Graphic for Koester
Tim Jin presenting
Summit planning committee
Kevin Williams and Christine Holyfield

Systemic social isolation of AAC users (Blasko, 2024)

by

Grant Blasko

Grant Blasko is a young adult nonspeaking autistic student and part of the Summit’s Organizing Committee. He is a University of Washington DO-IT Scholar, an active member of TASH’s National Communication Access Workgroup, and a CommunicationFIRST Advisory Council member. He has served as a stakeholder on panels guiding autism professionals at the American Occupational Therapy Association, CAST, and the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR).

Webcast Description

This presentation was first made at the Future of AAC Research Summit on May 13, 2024.

Please cite as
Blasko, G. (2024, May 13). Systemic social isolation of AAC users. [Conference session]. Future of AAC Research Summit, Arlington, VA. https://tinyurl.com/AAC-Blasko-2024

Video production by Rylie Mueller (Penn State University)

Additional Resources

Blasko, G. (2025). Unveiling underlying systemic isolation challenges for AAC users. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2515279

Blasko, G. (2022). Thoughts from an Autistic AAC User After the April 2022 Meeting of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. https://communicationfirst.org/thoughts-from-an-autistic-aac-user-after-the-april-2022-meeting-of-the-interagency-autism-coordinating-committee/

Blasko, G. (2022). Autism Acceptance … of Communication Stress? https://communicationfirst.org/autism-acceptance–of-communication-stress/

Disability representation and inclusivity in research (Forber-Pratt, 2024)

by

 

Anjali Forber-Pratt

Anjali J. Forber-Pratt, Ph.D. is a disability activist, former faculty member, 2-time Paralympic medalist and the Director of Research at the American Association on Health & Disability. Dr. Forber-Pratt was formerly the Director of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). As a faculty member, her primary area of research relates to disability identity development and is author on over 40 peer-reviewed journal articles and numerous chapters. As a wheelchair-user herself for over 35 years, and a two-time Paralympian and medalist, Dr. Forber-Pratt is also nationally and internationally recognized as a disability leader and mentor. 

Webcast Description

Anjali describes the fundamental importance of the full and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of disability research. This presentation was first made at the Future of AAC Research Summit on May 13, 2024.

Cite as

Forber-Pratt, A. (2024, May 13). Disability representation and inclusivity in research [Conference session]. Future of AAC Research Summit, Arlington, VA. https://tinyurl.com/AAC-Forber-Pratt-2024

(Transcript as pdf)

Video production by Rylie Mueller (Penn State University)

Additional Resources

Forber-Pratt, A. J. (2025.). A personal commentary about disability inclusion, and representation in research. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, early on-line, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2499685

Heumann, J., Jones, K., & Forber-Pratt, A. et al (2022) What is disability? [YouTube video]

“Alternative” ways to access AAC technologies (Ramirez, 2024)

by

Pancho Ramirez

Pancho Ramirez is the current Vice Chair of CommunicationFIRST’s Board of Directors. As a Mexican immigrant farmworker, he acquired his speech disability in 2003 at age 20 from a brain stem stroke after a car accident. Mr. Ramirez has become an instrumental member of a research team at the University of California, San Francisco, that is developing groundbreaking communication technology to produce words from thought. 

Webcast Description

Pancho describes the impact of AAC technology on his communication and life experiences. This presentation was first made at the Future of AAC Research Summit on May 14, 2024.

Cite as
Ramirez, P. (2024, May 13). “Alternative” ways to access AAC technologies (Ramirez, 2024) [Conference session]. Future of AAC Research Summit, Arlington, VA. https://tinyurl.com/AAC-Ramirez-2024

(Transcript as pdf)

Video production by CommunicationFIRST

Additional Resources

Pancho Ramirez [website]

Evolving voices: Embracing change in AAC technology, the keyboard to my success (Jin, 2024)

by

Tim Jin

Tim Jin is a Communication Expert and Advocate who serves on several boards, government taskforces. and committees, and routinely speaks professionally at conferences and training seminars about his passion to expand communication access for everyone. Additionally, he directs Empowerment Programs at Disability Voices United and actively pursues personal fulfillment through the Self-Determination Program.

Webcast Description

Tim describes the impact of AAC technology on his communication and life experiences. This presentation was first made at the Future of AAC Research Summit on May 14, 2024.

Cite as
Jim, T. (2024, May 14). Evolving voices: Embracing change in AAC technology, the keyboard to my success [Conference session]. Future of AAC Research Summit, Arlington, VA. https://tinyurl.com/AAC-Jin-2024

Transcript as pdf

Video production by Rebecca Wood (Penn State University)

Additional Resources

Jin, T. (2025). Embracing change in AAC technology: The keyboard to my success. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, early on-line, 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2508484

Tim Jin: Ability Magazine

Tim Jin – 40 Years of AAC use. LOMAH Disability Podcast

Jin, T. (2021). “Toxic Conservatorships: The Need for Reform”: Submitted Testimony to Senate Judiciary Subcommittee [YouTube}]

The contents of this website are a joint offering of Penn State University and the RERC on AAC. They were developed, in part, under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90REGE0014) to the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (RERC on AAC). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this website do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, or HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.