Ren Koloni describes how despite advances in the field of AAC, “the vast majority of people who cannot rely on speech alone to be heard and understood still lack meaningful access to effective communication that meets their physical, emotional, social, and cultural needs, and fulfills the civil and human rights to which they are entitled.”
Now free at the AAC journal
https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2515283
Jordyn Zimmerman is a nonspeaking autistic person who was segregated and denied access to effective augmentative communication until she was 18. In her paper, Beyond Access: the Intersecting Role of AAC, Literacy, and Technology, she calls for “a more user-centered design approach across the board—where AAC users are not merely participants, but leaders in the design and development process, ensuring this work is reflective of people’s needs and serves to meaningfully include in our increasingly digital world.”
Now free at the AAC journal at https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2504499
Grant Blasko is 22 years old, autistic, a full-time user of AAC, and a university student. In his article, “Unveiling underlying systemic isolation challenges for AAC users”, he “encourages collaboration between AAC users, researchers, and service providers to reevaluate communication support goals with a focus on preventing isolation and enhancing relational support.”
Now free at the AAC journal
https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2515279
Godfrey Nazareth shares his journey with motor neuron disease, developing AAC technology to enhance communication, emotional expression, and personal resilience. Now freely available at https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2508491
Bob Williams describes how many people needing AAC face bias and isolation; true communication equity requires societal commitment and research grounded in lived experiences. Now freely available at https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2504495