Writings from AAC Users

Anne Abbott — York University Speech made March 10, 2009. "People like me, who use Augmentative Alternative Communication, are frequently, and wrongly, silenced. ... It takes patience and some intuition to start communicating with an AAC user. You have to be good at looking for cues in body language and facial expressions." http://anne-abbott.blogspot.com/2009/03/york-university-speech.html

Lynn Aquilana — Mill-Pinna tieghi ... (in Maltese) blog. “Life is the largest school.” September 2015. http://lynnaquilina.wordpress.com/page/5/

Kenny Affonce — "Teen breaks out of long silence with help of computer facilitator". South Coast [Massachusetts] Today, July 1995. http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19950703/NEWS/307039992&cid=sitesearch. "Thumbs Up to Kenny Affonce". The Communicator, a publication of the Autism National Committee, 14:2, Fall 2005, p. 6. (With photo): http://www.autcom.org/pdf/AutomNLFall2005.pdf

Richard Attfield — Change Leader: Richard Attfield (interview): http://ollibean.com/2012/07/28/change-leader-richard-attfield-2/  An Interview with autistic FC pioneer: Richard Attfield, by Donna Williams. American Chronicle, July 4, 2007: http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/06/30/an-interview-with-autistic-fcpioneer-and-author-richard-attfield/. TRANSCEND THE MOMENT (book of poetry) https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151126201578461&set=p.10151126201578461&type=1&theater

A. M. Baggs — In My Language (links to video): http://ballastexistenz.wordpress.com/2007/01/15/in-my-language/   Autistic Aug Comm Users http://ballastexistenz.wordpress.com/2006/06/26/   Ballastexistenz. Blog topics include ableism, abuse, abuse of power, advocacy, art, assistive technology, autism, BADD, bullying, caregivers, cats, communication, communities, danger, death, denial, disability rights, discrimination, emergencies, ethics, functioning labels, hate, illusions, institutions, joy, language, love, media, medical, memories, oppression, pain, perception, photos, politics, power, privilege, safety, services, social, staff, stereotypes, web, words: http://ballastexistenz.wordpress.com/   Cultural Commentary: Up in the Clouds and Down in the Valley: My Richness and Yours: http://dsq-sds.org/article/view/1052/1238   Communication page I used to handle that invasive woman I met. "I knew that I have trouble coming up with new language of any kind in high stress situations, especially involving people with bad boundaries. So I spent most of the night creating a new page for my communication software.": https://ballastexistenz.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/communication-page-i-used-to-handle-that-invasive-woman-i-met/

Agnes Bal — From the Cradle to the University (blog in Polish) “The University has adapted to my disability. I have specialized transport (bus with the emblem of the University), Transport assistants to continue the transition and assistants during classes.” http://oddajemyprocent.blogspot.com/2013_09_01_archive.html

Dillan Barmache — Typing 4 Change blog – Exploring the possibilities one keystroke at a time https://typing4change.com/about/ Dillan’s Voice – “The iPad helps me not only to see my words but to hold onto my thoughts. Having a voice has changed everything in my life.” http://idoinautismland.com/

Heathar-Ashley Barrett — A graduate of the University of Bolton in Manchester, UK, with a degree in English Literature, Education and Community studies, Heathar has published some of her writings in the book Words Unspoken (see Joshua Harris for more info). Southport — My film poem about my favorite beach” (captioned video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WstCQBD0SOQ "Sitting in the Darkness" My first poetry film — Something to Say https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql3fTKCjdZk Delemere Forest – A Film Poem by Heathar Barrett: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdGWNhTLHB0 Writings on the Quiet Riot UK website: "People have to listen to our voices in the wilderness of disability. I can do things you elevate your expectation to. Look beneath the surface of appearance and see the qualities that are within." http://dpac.uk.net/2014/05/quiet-riota-voice-that-will-be-heard-a-voice-to-be-reckoned-with/ Visit Heathar's website at http://www.heatharashley.co.uk.

Jean-Dominique Bauby — The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: A Memoir of Life in Death. "The editor-in-chief of French Elle, Jean-Dominique Bauby, suffered a stroke that resulted in locked-in syndrome when he was 43 years old. He died just two days after the French publication of his book." https://www.amazon.com/Diving-Bell-Butterfly-Memoir-Death/dp/0375701214

Gordy Baylinson — "You see, life for me and others like me is a daily game, except not fun, of tug-of-war. My brain, which is much like yours, knows what it wants and how to make that clear. My body, which is much like a drunken, almost six foot toddler, resists." Advocacy in Action – Explaining NonSpeaking Autism to the Police: https://growingkidstherapy.wordpress.com/2016/05/18/advocacy-in-action-explaining-nonspeaking-autism-to-the-police/ Md. teen writes letter to police providing insight on being non-speaking with autism: http://www.fox5dc.com/news/local-news/143596753-story

Roy Bedward — "If You Could Live Inside My Skin" (poem); State Institution Stories; writings about the difference FC has made to his life. http://www.everyonecommunicates.org/breaking-the-barriers/stories_roy.htm "Please Listen To My Heart". Poem posted on page iii of this document: Development of a questionnaire to determine change in the occupational performance of pre-school children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders receiving Occupational Therapy - Sensory Integration by Kerry Anne Wallace http://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10539/8746/a.Kerry%20Wallace%20preliminaries.pdf?sequence=1 "I was born with a thing called autism. When I’m painting I feel more normal and happy than any other time in my life." From The Clear Blue Sky of My Good Mind. Books, Art Gallery, Consignment Locations, Brochure. http://roybedwardenterprises.com/

Steven M. Best — "The more pain and losses you experience in life, the more important it is that you have an external focus," Best said. "Writing has been that for me." http://quest.mda.org/series/access-unlimited/mind-muscle/"

Larry Bissonnette — Advocate, artist, film star (Wretches and Jabberers). Larry's Blog (http://wretchesandjabberers.org/larry/): "Looking at spanning paths of movie presentations of across the country, Tracy and I lead people to more positive views of autism ..." Larry's Writings (http://wretchesandjabberers.org/larry-writings.php): "Like a powerful lightning storm knocking outmoded power grids, like people experiencing a religious conversion - that is placing my experience of typing in words, my inner thoughts and ideas, in a context of immense change outside of the limitations of societal beliefs about disability." Larry's Art Gallery (http://wretchesandjabberers.org/larry-art.php): "Inputting my name on a painting is like stamping franchise label on a fast food package without letting commercialism invade the paint strokes." In 2005, Larry was the subject of the video "My Classic Life as an Artist: A Portrait of Larry Bissonnette" http://www.stateart.com/works.php?workId=66&i=25   See also Learning About Independent Typing from People Working to Achieve It.   Right to Communicate, Facilitated Communication http://www.everyonecommunicates.org/breaking-the-barriers/stories_Larry_Bissonnette.htm

Lucy Blackman — Lucy’s Story, August 2011: http://www.annemcdonaldcentre.org.au/sites/default/files/Lucy's%20Story%20August%202011.pdf.   Lucy’s Story: Autism and Other Adventures: http://www.amazon.com/Lucys-Story-Autism-Other-Adventures/dp/1843100428. Carrying Autism, Feeling Language: Experiences Beyond Lucy’s Story. "The author of Lucy's Story: Autism and Other Adventures takes a closer look at what language means to her and the way she views the world." https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/314657 Talking of Macbeth: Short stories by the Author of Lucy’s Story: Autism and Other Adventures https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/302139

Hope Block — "My name is Hope Block and this is about my life. I am a woman with autism ... I use a computer to say what's on my mind." Advocates in Action: Personal Stories of Celebration and other Videos of Interest. http://advocatesinaction.org/movies/HopeB.htm

Andrew Bloomfield. — Andrew’s Bridges. “I celebrated the launch of my book with my Bridges friends in late October 2011. It has been a labour of love and some pain.” http://andrewsbridges.blogspot.com/p/who-am-i-about-myself.html.   "What everyone yearns for: Really good support to communicate" in Bridges Over Barriers newsletter, April 2008, p. 5 available at http://www.ont-autism.uoguelph.ca/BOB-4-2008-p.pdf; and In My Mind: Thoughts and Words of Andrew Bloomfield, 2000-2006. The book includes poetry and other writings. "Connecting is my purpose in life, / It is why we are here ..." http://www.ont-autism.uoguelph.ca/InMyMind-order.pdf. Bridges Over Barriers in My Life with Autism http://www.ont-autism.uoguelph.ca/AB-2011-blurb.pdf Bridges Over Barriers: In Our Own Words, edited by Andrew Bloomfield http://www.ont-autism.uoguelph.ca/Bridges-announce-1.pdf

Elizabeth Bonker — Autistic Poet "... it's not easy being me. It is very hard you see. There is so much going on." http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/october-16-2009/autistic-poet/4595/

Snoopi Botten — Being Noticed for Who You Are: Six Steps for Augmented Communicators, Proceedings of the Biennial Pittsburgh Employment Conference for Augmented Communicators, 2005, pg. 12-13. "When communicating with anyone, it’s important to remember that your communication device is only an aid." http://www.shoutaac.org/Proceedings2005.doc. Snoopi was also involved in making the video "If I Had A Voca" now on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJi_Si_jTHk. Visit his website at http://www.theflameofhope.co/

Dick Boydell, computer scientist — Finding a Voice, NOVA 1982. This NOVA documentary from 1982 features Dick Boydell, UK computer scientist with cerebral palsy, recounts his early life and his visit to the Artificial Language Lab at Michigan State University, showing early technology being developed then for speech generation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etNgvCOSu_w

Brayden — Braden's Blog. Poetry, writings, video clips. "I keep people loyal. People like royal, cute people like me." http://braydenfsblog.weebly.com/blog

Nicholas Brady — http://www.everyonecommunicates.org/breaking-the-barriers/stories_Nick_Brady.htm

James Brosnan — Blog: Jumping Spastics, Initial blog entry Jan. 23, 2011: "Voice and Its Channels". "Everything is about signs or pointing when you don't have a voice. What other people refer to talking is taken for granted. There is a cobweb of silence that you have to find your way through in order to establish a channel with someone else. Talking takes on a new meaning. I press a switch under my chin on a laptop to communicate." http://jumpingspastics.blogspot.com/2011/01/voice-and-its-channels.html

Christy Brown — My Left Foot, Vintage Books, London. "Finding that the doctors could not help in any way beyond telling her not to place her trust in me, in other words, to forget that I was a human creature, rather to regard me as just something to be fed and washed and then put away again, mother decided there and then to take matters into her own hands." https://www.amazon.com/My-Left-Foot-Christy-Brown/dp/0749391774?ie=UTF8&ref_=pd_cp_b_2

Jamie Burke — Video: "Inside the Edge: A Journey to Using Speech through Typing http://soe.syr.edu/centers_institutes/institute_communication_inclusion/about/videos.aspx.   Disability Studies in Education, Syracuse University College of Law, panel presentation http://soe.syr.edu/media/documents/2010/6/DSE_Panel_Presentation_509.pdf.   Celebrating 25 Years of IDEA http://soe.syr.edu/media/documents/2010/7/celebrating_25_years_of_ideaburke.pdf.

Zachary Brix — "It is so important to people like me to know there are people who stand by me in friendship." http://www.asmonline.org/pdf/newsletters/2013-fall.pdf

Jonathan Bryan — "Tell readers not to use labels as an excuse not to teach children like me." — Jonathan Bryan, interviewed in The Lionhearted Locked-in Boy: Lad was trapped in silence for seven years before miraculously finding a way to signal http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3671847/The-lionhearted-Locked-Boy-Lad-trapped-silence-seven-years-miraculously-finding-way-signal-say-truly-astonish-you.html

Damary Bustos — "Last month I bought the iPad Mini and downloaded Verbally. I take my iPad Mini with me everywhere I go. I'm very happy now that I don't have trouble communicating with others! It’s very easy to say what I want to say and everyone can understand me." http://atnetworkblog.blogspot.com/2013/01/communication-at-success-story.html?m=1

David Chapple — AAC and Communication in the Workplace (with David McNaughton) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJihT1FUhH4 Communication Disability and the Aging of Parents: http://www.shoutaac.org/pec2007final.pdf

Cindi — "I am Cindi. I like my teacher. I am Autistic and have to communicate using a letterboard." http://cindisblogtwo.weebly.com/

Nadia Clarke — "With and Without". A poem about life with a voice and without (bottom of Page 5). http://www.1voice.info/sites/default/files/newsletters/2008-spring-newsletter.pdf

Penny Clough — "My Story". "I remember the frustration I felt at not being able to talk ... screaming a lot ... using my Canon [Communicator] which was slow and I'd often lose patience and give up ... And then in 1990, fifteen years after the encephalitis struck, I started having words come out of my mouth." http://www.annemcdonaldcentre.org.au/penny-clough.

Elana Rose Connor — Elana Rose (website) "I have now found my passion in my work. My passion comes from my ability to make an impact on people. The impact I hope to make is that people will stop seeing us as so different. Hopefully they will see me in themselves." http://www.elanarose.com/.   Writings: The Cavern of My Autism, Why Retards are Sad in this World, Why love?, Rewrite History, Horses Hear Everything, http://www.elanarose.com/pages/writing.htm.

Adam Cope — Life: A Collection of poems by Adam Cope http://www.adam.org.au/books/life.html

Rick Creech (Richard D. Creech), 2004 Edwin and Esther Prentke AAC Distinguished Lecturer. "One of my dreams is for an AAC device that would be a seamless part of me. I mean I would have access to it twenty-four seven. It should be as easy as wearing a wristwatch." http://aacinstitute.thaleus.net:8070/Resources/PrentkeLecture/2004/RickCreech.html Reflections From a Unicorn https://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Unicorn-Richard-D-Creech/dp/0963233300 "Realizing Service Dogs Potentials for Augmented Communicators", Proceedings of the Biennial Pittsburgh Employment Conference for Augmented Communicators, 2007 (see page 16): http://www.shoutaac.org/pec2007final.pdf

Robert Cutler — "Ask Rob", Column, http://www.autcom.org/articles/AutcomNLSummer1998.html.   How to Get the Life You Choose (see pages 7-8) http://www.autcom.org/pdf/AutcomNLWinter2012.pdf.   The Person with Autism as Mentor (see page 12) http://www/autcom.org/pdf/AutcomNLFall2006.pdf

Tony Diamanti — I AM TONY DIAMANTI, A MAN WITH SOMETHING TO SAY, AND A MAN TO BE HEARD. "I am a man with cerebral palsy, and I cannot speak. I am a disability rights activist who lives independently in the community." http://kilometresforcommunication.com/stories/tony-diamanti/

Kimberly Dixon — Under the Silence Is Me: How It Feels to Be Nonverbal by Kimberly Dixon with Marilyn Dixon. https://www.etsy.com/listing/179139775/under-the-silence-is-me-how-it-feels-to?ref=related-0

Ian Drummond — Out of Silence: An Autistic Boy’s Journey into Language and Communication by Russell Martin (includes some of Ian’s writing): http://www.amazon.com/Out-Silence-Autistic-Language-Communication/dp/0140247017/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top.

David Eastham — Silent Words: Forever Friends Eastham, M. (1992). Silent words (Ottawa: Oliver Pate) is a mother's account of how her son learned to communicate with facilitation and to become an independent typist. Forever Friends is a collection of previously unpublished works by the late David Eastham. http://www.amazon.com/Silent-Words-Forever-Margaret-Eastham/dp/0969601204

Sydney Edmond — "I want you to know that trials and tribulations are okay as long as you can communicate. And not just your basic needs. People need to share their thoughts and opinions." Includes conference presentations (An Uncooperative Body), articles (Getting a Voice) and poetry (A Poem for Mom, Tree Outside My Window, A Long-Winded Melody, My New Friend). http://www.aut2communicate.com/Sydneys_Poetry.html.

Gus Estrella, 1997 Edwin and Esther Prentke AAC Distinguished Lecturer. "I can think of few things more dehumanizing and even demeaning than selecting canned sentences from a list ...The living waters of life are contained in the sparkling stream of language as it gushes forth from our tongues, or in my case, my fingers. Yes, I have become a blabber finger." http://aacinstitute.thaleus.net:8070/Resources/PrentkeLecture/1997/GusEstrella.html

Sarah Ezekiel — Life Without A Voice. "My voice is unintelligible to most people. I've accepted it. I have eyegaze computers with wonderful, loud, clear voices and I love using them." http://www.myinvisiblelife.net/life-without-voice

Jon Feucht, 2003 Edwin and Esther Prentke AAC Distinguished Lecturer. "I know many parents and educators who are so happy to have their child be able to just express their needs. I think people who do this are doing a great disservice to their child; because there is so much more to life and communication than just expressing needs.": http://aacinstitute.thaleus.net:8070/Resources/PrentkeLecture/2003/JonFeucht.html. "The Tan Car": http://aacinstitute.thaleus.net:8070/Resources/ProductsandServices/TheGallery/writing.html "The Tan Car – Excerpt": http://shop.omnipress.com/ProductImages/13192jt/42699_excerpt.pdf

Tyler Fihe — Interview with Tyler Fihe, a young man with autism who communicates by typing and saying his words as he types them. http://www.everyonecommunicates.org/breaking-the-barriers/stories_tyler.htm.
Understanding Facilitated Communication. "Without FC I am imprisoned in a body that cannot reveal who I really am. This form of communication has changed my life and it is now full of possibilities and opportunities for me to be heard in the world." http://soe.syr.edu/media/documents/2010/6/understandingFacCom1.pdf   Quotes: "They are always saying that they provide training in self-advocacy, but how can people speak out for themselves if they have no means of communicating?" (from a letter to Senator Bruce McPherson, April 20, 2000); "Only 9 years ago did I begin to learn to communicate through typing and it dramatically changed my life. Before typing I could not tell anyone what I felt or thought. I was so isolated I thought I would go crazy." (from a presentation at San Andreas Regional Board, May 14, 2000); "My body is always firing off movements and sounds from my mouth that I can’t control. They come and go and I just have to let them out." (from a speech to a graduate speech therapy class, San Jose State University, October 22, 2000); "Where I felt the most welcomed by a teacher was when they spoke directly to me thinking I understood everything said and not just talking to my aide as if I wasn’t there." (from a presentation at U.C. Santa Cruz, June 29, 2002).

Carly Fleischmann — From Carly's website Carly's Voice: Changing the world of autism, "I am not able to talk out of my mouth, however I have found another way to communicate by spelling on my computer. And YES – I can type on my own." Samples of Carly's writings, links to news stories, photos: http://carlysvoice.com/.   Carly Fleischmann’s Exclusive Blog for Larry King Live. Blog from April 2009, following Carly’s appearance on Larry King’s TV show: http://larrykinglive.blogs.cnn.com/2009/04/03/carly-fleischmanns-exclusive-blog-for-larry-king-live-join-the-discussion-w-carly/ "Speechless with Carly Fleischmann" &mdash Episode 1 Channing Tatum interview: "Welcome to the very first episode of Speechless with Carly Fleischmann. Watch along as she interviews hollywood hunk Channing Tatum. He discusses growing up, his marriage and his greatest fears." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a34qMg0aF6w

Scott Floyd — Hopes and Dreams: http://soe.syr.edu/media/documents/2010/7/Scott_Floyd_hopes_and_dreams.pdf   On Campus Presentation: http://soe.syr.edu/media/documents/2010/7/scott_ppt.pdf   How to Communicate: http://soe.syr.edu/media/documents/2010/7/Scott_Floyd_How_to_Communicate.pdf

Henry Miles Frost — "I started reading words before I could hear words. Beautiful reliable words. Word stay the same once I see them. Pictures were hard. Words easy." "Two Sides": http://www.goldenhatfoundation.org/about-us/blog/137-two-sides-by-henry-miles-frost. Henry Frost blog: http://ollibean.com/tag/henry-frost/

Alberto Frugone — Selected Quotes from Autism and the Myth of the Person Alone by Douglas Biklen with Richard Attfield, Larry Bissonnette, Lucy Blackman, Jamie Burke, Alberto Frugone, Tito Rajarshi Mukhopadhyay, and Sue Rubin. "I hear the words and I can decipher their meaning, but I don’t use my visual perception simultaneously, otherwise my attention would go." http://www.coachmike.net/autism-sports-resources.php (scroll about halfway down the page).

Peyton Goddard — Website for the Cuyamaca College Valedictorian for 2002 who learned to communicate in 1997 by "Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC), a method where technology and applied resistance enables purposeful movement and communication through a computer. For the first time she gained a reliable method for interaction with society." Site includes numerous writings, presentations, order information for her video "Helium Hearts". http://www.peytongoddard.com Cherubs Wired Differently blog. "All people are vastly valuable. Treasure all because great is each." http://www.peytongoddard.com/blog/. Personal statement of the importance of implementing FC: http://www.everyonecommunicates.org/breaking-the-barriers/stories_peyton.htm 'Quietly Changing Worrisome World': Questions for Peyton Goddard. Interview with questions and answers. "Quieter persons are often great listeners ... I'm pining for dawn of a voice for all." http://voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2008/02/02/education/featured_stories/89qapeyton020208.txt

Mathias Gottstein and Oleg Matushevich — See Matushevich

Aaron Greenwood — Aaron to AutCom. "FC [supported typing] has been a wonderful freeing gift. A great tool for me to realize my thoughts and beliefs." http://www.autcom.org/pdf/AutcomNLWinter2011.pdf (page 6).

Lincoln Grigsby — The Light Within (poetry collection). Contact at joanmariah@comcast.net

Thiandi Grooff — Thiandi Grooff is a woman who lives in the Netherlands and who types to communicate. "This website is all about my life and the events and changes that have shaped it." http://www.thiandigrooff.nl

Thomas Martel Hale, Jr. — I Had No Means to Shout by Mary Jane Gray Hale and Thomas Martel Hale, Jr. https://www.amazon.com/I-Had-No-Means-Shout/dp/1585004014

Eve Hanf-Enos. — The Dilo Group, President: Eve Hanf-Enos. Website includes two poems by Eve Hanf-Enos. (The original website is no longer active but it was preserved at archive.org.) https://web.archive.org/web/20130512005459/http://www.idw.org/html/the_dilo_group.html

Christopher Harmon — Children's book author and screenwriter. "That triumphant day when I secured fulltime Sign Language interpreter services after eighteen months of battle in the courtroom is forever immortalized in my memory," Harmon recalls. "That was the day I found life cupped in my hands." http://www.mprnews.org/story/2008/06/27/harmon

Joshua Harris — Joshua lives in the UK and attends Yeshiva with support from facilitators. He has published two DVDs and most recently a book, Words Unspoken. More information on Joshua and his accomplishments may be found on his website Joshua's Planet (http://www.joshuasplanet.com/index.html). We hope to publish some of his work here in the near future.

Lucy Harrison — Making Their Way: Despite Critics, Autistic Youths Still Typing, ABC News, January 20, 2003 Followup interviews with Lucy Harrison, Jeff Powell, and Ben Lehr who were interviewed first in 1992. http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/2003/1-03/ABC1-20-03.html

Jaison Hart — of Louisville, CO; writings and art by Hart, who uses facilitated communication techniques to communicate and to create. How My Life is Like Helen Keller, and poems, at http://www.wowcolorado.org/my-life.htm (click on the "We Speak" button).

Stephen W. Hawking — My Experience with ALS. "I try to lead as normal a life as possible, and not think about my condition, or regret the things it prevents me from doing, which are not that many. ... One's voice is very important. If you have a slurred voice, people are likely to treat you as mentally deficient: Does he take sugar?" http://www.wattpad.com/100128-my-experience-with-als-stephen-hawking

Koren Henning — Koren's Story. Quotes: Koren Henning:"I was trapped in my body and couldn't communicate with my family for sixteen years, yet I could communicate with God." "I have zany odd behaviors that show the dastardly awful sad days I face. I really want to have friends but my disastrous body makes creative friendship nearly sadly gone from my dreams."   Nick Palermo: "God help us to take the time to know ... I’m still learning about the appearance thing, that what you see is not – is usually not – what is." http://www.vimeo.com/5397986  Koren also writes a blog: "I will share some of my writing here, as well as thoughts and feelings about being different in a society which likes conformity." http://korenskorner.wordpress.com/

Naoki Higashida — Mini Lecture (in English) ミニ講演（講演原稿英語訳) "Then at the age of twelve, I became able to point the letters on a letter board independently, which led me to use a computer and to type creative stories and poems on computer ... Being understood with empathy by others greatly relieves our distressed hearts." http://katari.umin.jp/report_20090523/report_naoki_en.html
Naoki's Writings from the Wretches and Jabberers movie website: "I have severe autism. When I had no means of communication, I was so alone like a lost and lonely crow in town ... There must be many more people with autism who, like how I used to be, have the inner worlds but have no means to express them." http://www.wretchesandjabberers.org/writing-naoki.php   I Write, So I Am Alive (video). "Writing poems for me is not for fun. I write to prove that I am alive." http://soe.syr.edu/centers_institutes/institute_communication_inclusion/about_the_ici/Videos.aspx (scroll about two-thirds of the way down the page).

Tien Hoang — "Yes, I had some issues with my augmentative and alternative communication device before I was able to try it out. I felt the device would make me look more 'disabled' and I thought it would limit my ability to participate in social events. Boy, I was wrong!" http://kilometresforcommunication.com/stories/tien-hoang/

Matthew Hobson and Nancy Hobson — I’m So Glad You Found Me in Here, a book co-authored by Matthew Hobson, who types to communicate, and his mother Nancy. "For the first eleven years of my life, graduating from high school was a thing that was suspended in the air, dangling there for others but not for me. Until the day I met Laura Poorman ..." http://www.hobsonbooks.com/read-an-excerpt

Rick Hohn — Spirit Wheels Ministry website. Includes art, poems, conference proposals, sermons, videos. "On January 17, 1947, I, Rick Hohn, was born with cerebral palsy that seriously affected my arms and legs as well as speech. However, I didn't let the disability stop myself!" http://www.spiritwheelsministry.com/mylife.html

Dennis Hollman — Community Interactions: AAC and Being a Church Member, Proceedings of the Biennial Pittsburgh Employment Conference for Augmented Communicators, 2005, pg. 38-41. "I've also joined a congregation that has grown accustomed to interacting with an AAC user like myself, and it was the greatest thing I could possibly have done." http://www.shoutaac.org/Proceedings2005.doc

Mike Hoover — Having a Voice at http://www.wowcolorado.org/more-we-speak.htm (scroll down past the poetry).

Kathie Hormby — "Before the AAC, I was a bored TV watcher. It has opened the world for me." http://quest.mda.org/series/access-unlimited/mind-muscle

Marlowe Horn — Communication and ME: Who's Talking Now! "Reviewing my last 15 years of recovery, I would say the rehabilitation process had to start with me. Gradually, over time, I have come to manage my own communication and advocate for my own needs." http://kilometresforcommunication.com/stories/marlowe-horn/

Rick Hoyt — One Letter at a Time. Hoyt uses "his specially designed computer along with his unique method of communicating to share his amazing story". Co-authored by Todd Civin. http://www.teamhoyt.com/One-Letter-at-a-Time.html

Ppinder Hundal — "now you know me think more": A Journey with Autism using Facilitated Communication Techniques by Ppinder Hundal with Pauline Lukey, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London, UK (2003). http://www.jkp.com/uk/now-you-know-me-think-more.html Pauline Lukey first met Ppinder Hundal when Ppinder was eight years old and had no formal way of communicating. Beginning with the use of sign language, moving on to assisted typing and finally to Ppinder's current desire to learn to read and write, the authors recount their remarkable journey from Ppinder's first signs to her ability now to discuss her medication with her carers and converse, via laptop, with her autistic friends. This honest and moving account demonstrates the remarkable effects of facilitated communication and highlights that communication is a skill that everyone is entitled to enjoy.

Chris Huntingdon — Two You Tube videos: "How does myTobii work?. this time i will explain u how mytobii works." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6wO0Q_hrM8&feature=channel_page and "Hi Youtube users. this time i show u how i write my emails." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQE34JwiZZc

Glenda Watson Hyatt — Do It Myself Blog. "Glenda Watson Hyatt shares her experiences living with cerebral palsy to motivate and inspire others to think about how they perceive their own situation and their own world around them. She does all this by typing with only her left thumb!" http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/

David Jayne — "My children have no memory of my voice. All of their recollections are of a computer-generated voice," he said. "Having the ability to tell my children I love them is beyond words." http://quest.mda.org/series/access-unlimited/mind-muscle

DMan Johnson — The Role of Communication in Thought. "I learned to use language in my head before I began communicating. But having communication helps me think more clearly." http://www.autcom.org/pdf/AutcomNLWinter2011.pdf (page 4).

Harriet McBryde Johnson — "Not Another Peep Out of You". Personal account of a hospital emergency in which medical personnel were not listening: "Even without a voice, I made them attend. I made them understand. What silenced me was not voicelessness, but being in a place where what I said and what I wanted didn't matter." http://www.mouthmag.com/issues/79/notapeep.htm

Kim Johnson — a writer who communicates by typing using a head pointer. “Writing gives me the niche I need to utilise my voice.” http://www.annemcdonaldcentre.org.au/kim-johnson

Julie M. Jones — "I never really 'feel&apos my disability when I am on my computer using my Dragon NaturallySpeaking." http://quest.mda.org/series/access-unlimited/mind-muscle

Brian Kajiyama — Seeing Beyond Images: A Prelude. "See me for who I really AM, and not what YOU perceive me to be." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANTYQptfajM. "Who I Am". Poem. "... I AM an asset, NOT a liability ..." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxAv4jr6jGM&feature=channel. "Who Are You?". Poem. "You think it’s easy for me to just live life; ..." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxKeKSee918&feature=channel. Tools for Life Keynote Plenary Session, Brian's Ramblings. Blog. "No longer do I need others to speak on my behalf or for me, no longer do people need to guess my thoughts and feelings, and no longer do I need to sit by idly while others speak of and about me." http://bkajiyama.blogspot.com/2006/06/tools-for-life-keynote-plenary-session.html. Also see Brian's lecture on the importance of communication, linked from our Teaching Tips page.

Kati — Kati’s Blog: My Life with a Rare NeuroMuscular Disorder: http://katilea.wordpress.com/about/

Marlena Katene, the AAC Journalist. "I'm a budding music journo but will chat to anyone. i own couple businesses nearing completion of my journalism degree [now completed, Grifith University]. Want a awesome workshop presentation or whatever give us a call am available to speak, interview, write and heaps more." Ms. Katene has met and interviewed numerous celebrities and performers, posting the interviews on her YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/theaacjournalist/videos

Ido Kedar — Ido in Autismland blog. "I communicate by typing on an iPad or a letterboard. My book, Ido in Autismland is an autism diary, telling the story of my symptoms, education, and journey into communication. I hope to help other autistic people find a way out of their silence too." http://idoinautismland.com/

Helen Keller — Correspondence and Writings (accessible at website of American Foundation for the Blind). Website includes a selection of writings and speeches from the Helen Keller Archival Collection at the American Foundation for the Blind from 1901-1966 and covering topics such as advocacy, education, faith, elections, war, the senses, women's issues, legislation, and more.
On Optimism: http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=1&TopicID=193&SubTopicID=22&DocumentID=1208
A Chant of Darkness: http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=1&TopicID=193&SubTopicID=22&DocumentID=1188

Ben Kingston — The True Ben Kingston blog. Writings, poetry, songs, and video clips. "Nothing bonds you to someone like sharing steps, sharing experiences, and most importantly sharing acceptance of our differences." http://thetruebenkingston.blogspot.com/

Penny Kitchen — "My main communication tool is my eyes. I look up to say yes and down to say no and spell out anything that I want to say." http://kilometresforcommunication.com/stories/penny-kitchen/

Chris Klein — AAC-RERC Writers Brigade — "My goal is to set up a mentor program for AAC users. I want to have successful adults, who use AAC, come along side of families and AAC users to mentor them.": http://aac-rerc.psu.edu/index.php/pages/show/id/42. Seeing Unique Abilities, TEDxMacatawa (captioned video; 16 minutes): http://www.nobarriersusa.org/people/chris-klein/

Sharisa Kochmeister — Blog: http://sharisa-kochmeister.blogspot.com/   "FC" (poem) http://www.wowcolorado.org/we_speak.htm   "I Deserve to Be Heard": http://soe.syr.edu/media/documents/2010/7/i_deserve_to_be_heardkochmeister.pdf;   "Who I Am and Why I'm Here", "Changing How People Think", "What Is Autism?" "Being a Child with Autism", "Being a Grown-Up with Autism", "The Gifts of my Autism", "Helping Us Communicate", and "FC" (poem), all at http://www.wowcolorado.org/who-am-I.htm. See also Learning About Independent Typing From People Working to Achieve It.

Marja Korhonen — author and parent who communicates using eye gaze and also a tiny silver chip on her forehead. "I understood everything that was told and done to me. The worst part was I also knew what wasn't done. Suddenly I felt so lonely. Nobody could hear me... There were doubts about my intelligence." Häivähdyksiä - erityinen elämäni [Glimpses - A Special Life] (English subtitles; trailer of Marja Korhonen's first book) (run time 4:58) https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IsgU1lLhuzY

Sujit Kurup — I Often Wonder About Chaos: http://soe.syr.edu/media/documents/2010/6/Chaos.pdf Communicating My Way: http://soe.syr.edu/media/documents/2010/6/Communicating_my_way.pdf.

Antti Lappalainen — One Voice, Many Countries, October 26, 2010: "I am a 22 years old autistic person who still cannot speak a word. My head is working. I throw in a word by typing it ... Being unable to speak doesn't make our heads empty." http://ddas.vermont.gov/ddas-boards/boards-dds/boards-dds-vctf/making-communication-happen-worldwide-conf-2010/one-voice-many-countries   A slightly different version posted in connection with the film Wretches and Jabberers: http://www.wretchesandjabberers.org/writing-antti.php

Henna Laulainen — Presentation, Vermont, October 26, 2010: "Communication by writing has opened a new world for me. I can describe how I feel, I can think things over in a way I could not do otherwise." http://www.ddas.vermont.gov/ddas-boards/boards-dds/boards-dds-vctf/making-communication-happen-worldwide-conf-2010/one-voice-many-countries-henna   Happy to Know New Things (video) "I had no means to tell about my feelings ... It was difficult to select the letters in the beginning." http://soe.syr.edu/centers_institutes/institute_communication_inclusion/about/videos.aspx (scroll all the way down).

Ben Lehr — Making Their Way: Despite Critics, Autistic Youths Still Typing, ABC News, January 20, 2003 Followup interviews with Lucy Harrison, Jeff Powell, and Ben Lehr who were interviewed first in 1992. http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/2003/1-03/ABC1-20-03.html

Sarah Lever — The Importance of Augmentative and Alternative Communication to a Non-Verbal Person: A Look at my Life https://web.archive.org/web/20060901121711/http://www.ttac.odu.edu/SHAV/SarahLeverPresentationSHAV2006.pdf What Does Leadership Mean for an AAC User? Proceedings of the Biennial Pittsburgh Employment Conference for Augmented Communicators, 2007, Page 52-55. "The world needs our voices because no one else knows what we have to give and what we need in order to give." http://www.shoutaac.org/PEC2007FINAL.pdf

Schlomo Lowinger — Personal writing about not being able to talk, getting a voice through FC and text of article A Voice on Shabbos: Empowering Jewish Communication Aid Users http://www.everyonecommunicates.org/breaking-the-barriers/stories_shlomo.htm

Beth Anne Luciani — College Life and AAC: Just Do It (webcast) "Since I am unable to speak, I have used some form of a DynaVox since 1994. I use a switch behind my head to select words and letters from the display, and then I can speak what I type ... College was always a dream of mine. I am living that dream and I couldn’t be happier." Video with complete transcript in "Notes" section. http://aac-rerc.psu.edu/index.php/webcasts/show/id/5

Steve Mallory, President & CEO of The Stroke Network. "I use an infrared headpointer to move the mouse anywhere across the computer screen that I want. Also, I can click one finger. I have an on-screen keyboard that lets me type anything I like. I just move my head to a letter on the on-screen keyboard and click." http://www.stevemallory.org/

Eugene Marcus — On Almost Becoming a Person: http://soe.syr.edu/media/documents/2010/7/on_almost_becoming_a_personmarcus.pdf

Paul Marshall — "To communicate is like breathing air in and out. It is impossible not to do. It is the heartbeat of our own existence! It is the cornerstone upon which everything is built." http://kilometresforcommunication.com/stories/paul-marshall/

Alan Martin — "From the time that I got my first communication aid, about 11 years ago, I determined to fill the gaps in my education." "For the last eight years, I have been offering inclusive Contemporary Dance Workshops and Disability Issues/Awareness Training and Presentations ..." "Dance, I believe, is the ultimate way of communicating. Emotions, feelings, moods, even telling stories." (The original website is no longer active but it was preserved at archive.org): https://web.archive.org/web/20120623103506/http://www.mouseonthemove.co.uk/aac.html

Asako Matsumoto, author, technology consultant and public speaker "I became a quadriplegic and unable to speak after suffering a brain stem injury when I was in 7th grade ... In 1981, I made a head stick as my self-help tool ... I then learned how to express my feelings and thoughts by typing on a typewriter or word processor." http://depts.washington.edu/enables/profiles/prof_asako.htm

Oleg Matushevich and Mathias Gottstein — Comments, introduction, photos and text of discussion while preparing a presentation. http://www.communi-care.org/html/communities_olma_en.htm

Daniel McConnell — Community, Competence and Communication "Communication is the ultimate salve for emotions." http://www.autcom.org/pdf/AutcomNLWinter2011.pdf (page 7).

Anne McDonald — Anne McDonald's Institution Page, The Right to Communicate: http://www.annemcdonaldcentre.org.au/right-communicate-0, Fourteen Years in an Institution: "We cried because we felt abandoned. The nurses didn't know what to do; they didn't know we could feel anguish. The institution had no tally book for broken hearts." http://www.annemcdonaldcentre.org.au/anne-14-years-st-nicholas "If you want to know more about my story, read the book I wrote with Rosemary Crossley — Annie's Coming Out, http://www.annemcdonaldcentre.org.au/annies-coming-out (free download) or chase up the movie Annie's Coming Out (Test of Love in the U.S.). Anne McDonald - 1961-2010 - The Advocacy Legacy of an AAC Pioneer: http://www.annemcdonaldcentre.org.au/anne-advocacy-legacy-aac-pioneer

Lateef McLeod — A DynaVox Success Story (video). "I am a writer, poet, teacher and soccer player. I am a creative and intelligent man ... Growing up I was fortunate to have a family that focused on my abilities." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SqXgwunUdM.   Lateef's View of the Bay: Chronicles of Bay Area Life through the Eyes of a Young Professional with CP. "My limited ambulatory mobility and speech means that I travel most places in my electric wheelchair and use my AAC device for my speech. Although that could be considered an inconvenience, that did not prevent me from acquiring a Bachelor of Arts in English from UC Berkeley and a Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Mills College." http://ucpgg.org/lateefs-view-of-the-bay/ Lateef's Thoughts (blog): http://teefdabiggafigga.blogspot.com/

John Morris-Dadson — John started using FC when he was nine years old. His poem "The Beach" appears in the Bridges Over Barriers newsletter, April 2008, p. 8 (http://www.ont-autism.uoguelph.ca/BOB-4-2008-p.pdf).

Beth Moulam — Website: Beth Moulam and AAC (Augmentative and alternative communication). "... I have created this site to share my personal views and opinions, my news and information about being a communication aid user." Includes blog, presentations, information on AAC, AT (assistive technology), presentations, contacts and links. http://www.bethmoulam.com/

Chris Mueller-Medlicott — playwright and performer in the Community Inclusive Theatre Group's production of The Song that Greens the Earth. "Radical listening, radical touch" by Byron Woods in The Independent Weekly, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, NC. November 16, 2005. http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A25612. An hour-long documentary on the theatre group's work has been made by Durham, NC filmmaker Kenny Dalsheimer. Further information and a clip from the film: http://southerndocumentaryfund.org/projects/a-new-kind-of-listening.

Tito Mukhopadhyay — Breaking the Silence...CBS covered the story of Tito (same story covered by People Magazine in December 2002), and his mother who helped to unlock her son's ability to communicate. January 15, 2003 http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/01/14/60II/main536416.shtml
Tito's writings, http://www.halo-soma.org/about_writings.php?sess_id-f65750274f271032364d952a313615c4

Christopher Nolan — Under the Eye of the Clock. About using facilitated communication with cerebral palsy. ISBN: 1559705124 (paperback, 176 pages, Arcade Publishing 2000); ISBN: 1850897875 (audio cassette, 1994) http://books.google.com/books?id=gtL4Wb1uTCIC&dq=Nolan+Under+the+eye+of+the+clock&psp=1. : https://www.amazon.com/Dam-Burst-Dreams-Christopher-Nolan/dp/0821409123

India Ochs — Securing a Voice in This World, Words+ 2008 Outstanding Consumer Lecture. Presentation on her work with the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Human Rights and the importance of activism against human rights injustice, International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication Conference, Montreal, Canada, August, 2008. "... whether we are advocating for ourselves or for others, each time we take a step towards ensuring a right, we are ensuring that right for everyone." https://www.isaac-online.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/WORDS+2008-Lecture-India-Ochs.pdf

Patrick O'Brien — "Communication is one of the most important parts of living," says O'Brien, "and this has opened up my world with its ease of access." Devoted Dad with ALS Creates Inspiring Documentary for His Son: http://www.people.com/article/patrick-obrien-dad-als-documentary "He Is Always in My Thoughts and in My Heart."

Robert O'Gurek, 2007 Edwin and Esther Prentke AAC Distinguished Lecturer. "I feel if more people who use augmentative communication devices volunteer in their community, it would bring a positive reaction among the public towards augmentative communicators and the disability community." http://www.aacinstitute.org/Resources/PrentkeLecture/2007/RobertO%27Gurek.html

Tom Page — Author of book Caught Between Two Worlds: My Autistic Dilemma (http://www.opportunityhousect.org/thomas-cage/), uses FC to communicate. http://www.everyonecommunicates.org/breaking-the-barriers/stories_tom.htm

Scott Palm — "The Therapeutic Value of One Augmented Communicator Helping Another Augmented Communicator is Without Parallel", , pg. 70-74. "Some times a speech-language pathologist can try everything and anything, and nothing works until that person sees somebody else using a device. Then it clicks in his or her mind that they can do it too." http://www.shoutaac.org/PEC2007FINAL.pdf

. A Day in My Life (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rXUxk3wFZo

Quinn Partridge http://www.everyonecommunicates.org/breaking-the-barriers/stories_Quinn_Partridge.htm

Chris Patton — "I am" (poem) at http://www.wowcolorado.org/we_speak.htm "Writing poetry fuses beast anger – gets hearts to open." Poems: I Am, Heart of Grief, and Dear Ireland; poetry book; t-shirts with poetry lines ("Develop Ways to Treasure Everyone") and more. http://www.lopsidedheartcreations.com/category/poetry-by-chris/

Nick Pentzell — "Cultural Commentary: Dissed Ability: Grappling With Stereotypes And The Internalized Oppression Of Babyliss", in Disability Studies Quarterly, Vol. 30, No. 1 (2010). " ...having to communicate causes your life to become much more difficult, even while it relieves frustration, dampens loneliness, and gives you more control over your life. You are under increased pressure to prove your intelligence, achieve more, participate even when you're not interested, grow up, be responsible, put others' needs before your own, play social games, and conform." http://dsq-sds.org/article/view/1054/1241. Outside/Inside documentary trailer "In his own words, with the creative use of digitation, a communication board and the camera, we are offered an intimate glimpse into the challenges and frustrations of his everyday life." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KhPC7Ctfjk

Missy Perrot — Personal Stories http://www.everyonecommunicates.org/breaking-the-barriers/stories_missy.htm

Kathy Jo Pink — "Perky Pink and the Wild Wheelchair": life story and poems. From Beatitudes for Friends ...: "Blessed are you who walk with us in public places and ignore the stares of strangers, for in your companionship we find a heaven of relaxation." http://kjplifestory.blogspot.com/

Martin Pistorius — From the age of 12 to 26, Martin was frozen in his body, unable to move or speak. But just look at him now ... "I kept going by living in my head, sometimes to such an extent that I became oblivious to my surroundings." http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1248617/From-age-12-26-Martin-frozen-body-unable-speak-But-just-look-.html  Martin's book, The Ghost Boy, is presented in another article in the Daily Mail (UK): "The Ghost Boy: The uplifting story of how Martin Pistorius survived a mystery paralysis to find love." "It was Virna van der Walt alone who offered me safe passage from my silent self. Virna, a relief carer at the day centre, used to give me aromatherapy massages. She believed in me. She understood my language – the smiles, gazes and nods." http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2010610/The-Ghost-Boy-The-uplifting-story-Martin-Pistorius-survived-mystery-paralysis-love.html The whispers of my mind ... Website of Martin Pistorius, author of Ghost Boy: My escape from a life locked inside my body. Includes information on the book, on AAC, and copies of his Communication Matters 2011 presentation. http://www.martinpistorius.com

Jeffrey Powell, Jr. — Making Their Way: Despite Critics, Autistic Youths Still Typing, ABC News, January 20, 2003 Followup interviews with Lucy Harrison, Jeff Powell, and Ben Lehr who were interviewed first in 1992. http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/2003/1-03/ABC1-20-03.html

Sara Pyszka — "I really love to write, so I will probably be writing a lot about the everyday stuff that happens to me. I have to warn you, I have some pretty ... unique ... Luck." http://www.sarapyszka.com/. Dancing Daisies (Just Be), Volume 1: https://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Daisies-Just-Be-1/dp/0615910602

Tracy Rackensperger, 2006 Edwin and Esther Prentke AAC Distinguished Lecturer. — Growing Up with AAC: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/Growing-Up-with-AAC/ "Individuals who need augmentative communication technology should access it as early as possible. The general public needs to know how augmentative communication enables people to achieve at their highest level." http://aacinstitute.thaleus.net:8070/Resources/PrentkeLecture/2006/TracyRackensperger.html

Sandra Radisch http://www.everyonecommunicates.org/breaking-the-barriers/stories_sandra.htm   Protect Our Voices: An Important Lesson About Facilitated Communication by Sandra Radisch http://www.autcom.org/pdf/AutcomNLWinter2006.pdf

Chandi Rajapatirana (aka Chammi in early writings) — "Always". (poem) http://soe.syr.edu/media/documents/2010/6/Chammi_Rajapatirana__Always.pdf   "On Being Mute" http://soe.syr.edu/media/documents/2010/6/On_Being_Mute_Chammi_Rajapatirana.pdf   "Thoughts on Facilitated Communication" http://soe.syr.edu/media/documents/2010/6/Thoughts_on_Facilitated_Communication_Chammi_Rajapatirana_.pdf Chammi- Hear Me Now (A Film Poem) "Fortunately, a determined mom searched the world over until she found a way that my voice could be as loud as yours." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_IiOLrSsKU Traveler's Tales: My Journey with Autism. "Traveler’s tales not about slogging through jungles or sailing across uncharted seas. I am a traveler ebulliently engaged on a unique journey between worlds: between the quirky world of autism that I inhabit and the wearying world of "normal" that I would like to explore." https://www.amazon.com/Travelers-Tales-My-Journey-Autism-ebook/dp/B017NZJ1AE/

Michael B. Reed — Film maker, advocate and active campaigner for access to AAC, literacy instruction, equal education; his blogsite includes his advocacy work, writings, and links to his videos. http://michaelreedsblog.blogspot.com/.

Michael Regos — Website: Up Down Syndrome! An extra chromosome makes you better than average, not worse. Writings, account of his early adventures in facilitated communication. http://www.annemcdonaldcentre.org.au/michael-regos

Barb Rentenbach — co-author of the books I Might Be You: An Exploration of Autism and Connection. "I am Barb Rentenbach, and my other defining label is autism — the severe kind, if I may be so bold. For decades, I bumped around ignorantly in this vexatious arcade of blaring impersonal voices, erratic assaults of color and light, indefinable loneliness, and relentless confusion. Eventually, I let down my bulwark and discovered clarity, purpose, meaning, confidence, independence, and friendship." https://books.google.com/books?id=uj1fYOMV3NAC&pg=PR1&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=2. Loud Mute Radio — "A radio show hosted by an autistic mute? Why not! The creators of Mule and Muse Productions, Barb Rentenbach and Lois Prislovsky, PhD, welcome you to 'Loud Mute Radio'." http://muleandmuseproductions.com/loud-mute-radio/

Philip Reyes — "Typing is easier because I can point more accurately than coordinate my mouth and tongue." Why Talking Is Hard http://faithhopeloveautism.blogspot.com/2015/12/why-talking-is-hard.html?m=1. Faith, Hope, and Love . . . with Autism (blog) — "This is the story of a boy who could not talk, but learned to make his thoughts known by spelling on a letterboard and typing. This is his path from silence to communication." http://faithhopeloveautism.blogspot.com/

Lee Ridley — Lost Voice Guy. End the Awkward. "My tablet computer speaks my words in a synthetic voice but I have to write those words first. And because people see me writing, people think I’m also deaf for some reason – I’m not." http://lostvoiceguy.com/2014/05/18/end-awkward/

Wayne Roupp — Wayne’s Journey. "With a communication device I have the freedom to talk to people any time that I want to or I can type my messages ahead of time and go show the person my message." https://aaclanguagelab.com/blog/waynes-journey

Peter Rowe — is an artist in Queensland, Australia. His website, http://peter-rowe.info has his bio, art, poetry, music, information on facilitated communication, and more.

Sue Rubin — http://www.sue-rubin.org Living and Thoroughly Enjoying Life in Spite of Autism. Website of emmy-nominated screenplay writer ("Autism Is A World"), disabilities advocate, and college student Sue Rubin provides insight into her life with autism and her use of facilitated communication. Texts of conference presentations, personal writings, academic writings, publications.   "Killing Autism is a Constant Battle": http://articles.latimes.com/1995-10-14/local/me-56785_1_constant-battle.   "A Recipe for Success": http://soe.syr.edu/media/documents/2010/7/a_recipe_for_successrubin.pdf.   "Behavior as Communication": http://soe.syr.edu/media/documents/2010/6/Behavior_as_communication.pdf.   "Facilitated Communication – The Key to Success for a Non-verbal Person with Autism", Autism Society of America 2003 National Conference, July 16-20, 2003: http://murphythemusical.com/2012/01/16/support-for-facilitated-communication/ (about halfway down the page).

William L. Rush — Journey Out of Silence: An Autobiography. "William (Bill) L. Rush chronicled his extraordinary life from childhood until graduation with distinction from the University of Nebraska Lincoln in Journey Out of Silence, first published in 1986 by Media Productions and Marketing in Lincoln, Nebraska." http://www.williamrush.com/rush_book.html

Kristin Rytter, Ph.D., Developmental Psychology &mdash SAGE-WITHIN-us. "My first book titled People Who Raised Me Beyond beings in the early seventies when professionals were discovering my diagnosis of a vegetable may have been incorrect, and it ends shortly after I obtained my doctorate." https://sites.google.com/site/sagewithinusproducts/. Rytter Video 2 – "My dad and I created my ‘eye code’ to communicate. I still use it today." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkypqAV5Gd0

D.J. Savarese — "I Have a Dream ..." (speech) http://www.everyonecommunicates.org/breaking-the-barriers/stories_DJ_Savarese.htm Collection of writings: "Note to Dad", "Letter To My Former Teachers", "Daring to Be Brave" (poem), "Prairie Dogs" (poem), Excerpt from "American Hero" term paper. "Until I freed myself through writing, people thought I had no mind. Freeing kids who are estimated as retarded is my hope for the future." http://www.ralphsavarese.com/category/djs-writings/ Hoover "Uncommon Student" Award Speech. "Dear Mr. Hoover: ... If you ignore my strange behaviors and hear my heartfelt thoughts, deserting fear and freeing hope, I feel confident that you will be proud of what you inspired me to do." http://www.autcom.org/pdf/AutcomNLWinter2011.pdf (page 9). "Cultural Commentary: Communicate with Me", Disability Studies Quarterly, Vol. 30, No. 1 (2010). "Boldly reach out to me, and together we will goldenly share our views of the world we long to greet." http://dsq-sds.org/article/view/1051/1237.

Amy Sequenzia — Nonspeaking Autistic Speaking (blog). "I am a non-speaking Autistic activist, writer and poet. Once said to be less than human, I found my voice and I now make sure I am heard." http://nonspeakingautisticspeaking.blogspot.com/. My Voice: Autism, Life and Dreams (book of poems) discussed in An Interview with Amy Sequenzia: https://emmashopebook.com/2012/09/06/an-interview-with-amy-sequenzia/

Jennifer Paige Seybert — Personal Stories: Jenn Seybert: http://sanys.org/regions/Centralgropnewsletternovember2006.pdf   "One Exciting Mountaintop High!" in Making It Happen, a publication of the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, Inc. (p. 32): http://www.sanys.org?SDStoryFolder/Makingithappen.pdf or http://www.sanys.org?SDStoryFolder/Makingithappen.txt   "Becoming Part of the Community": http://soe.syr.edu/media/documents/2010/8/AUTCOM_Conference_909.pdf

Jeff Seeger — "Normal" (poem): http://www.autismtissueprogram.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=nlKUL7MQIsG&b=6067839&ct=7047493.

Birger Sellin — On Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birger_Sellin.   I Don’t Want to Be Inside Me Any More http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Want-Be-Inside-Anymore/dp/0465031722.

Darryl Sellwood — The Views of Dazz (blog): "Depending on the situation, I use my communication device only for initiating conversation and once the person is at ease I slowly start to use my own speech fading out the use of the device and only using it to support the conversation by entering key words or phases to keep things rolling." http://thedazz.com/

Bac Shelton — Out and About Using a Communication Aid at a 7-11, at an Emergency Room, and on a Date, Proceedings of the Biennial Pittsburgh Employment Conference for Augmented Communicators, 2005, pg. 29-30. "Whenever Fay and I go out to a restaurant or something, people always ask us about our communication device. The same thing over and over in which we do not mind answering their questions." http://www.shoutaac.org/Proceedings2005.doc

Jeremy Sicile-Kira — It takes a community to assist those with autism. "My greatest challenge is communication. I cannot talk very much. I have found a way to communicate, and this has changed my life. In high school, I learned to point with one finger to a letterboard or keyboard to do my homework and to communicate." http://www.autismsupportnetwork.com/news/it-takes-community-assist-those-autism-9892012.   "Having autism has hindered my ability to speak, but not my ability to communicate." http://www.jeremysvision.com/.

Ruth Sienkiewicz-Mercer — "All the residents at Belchertown suffered from overcrowding, lack of proper staffing, and indifference from what little staff there was. But the Infirmary was in many ways the institution's chamber of horrors. It was here that I would spend the next thirteen years of my life." "As long as these people considered my brain useless and my facial expressions and sounds meaningless, I was doomed to remain 'voiceless' ... Theresa figured out what none of the staff would decipher for several years: that I raised my eyes to say yes." From I Raise My Eyes to Say Yes by Ruth Sienkiewicz-Mercer and Stephen B. Kaplan (paperback), (1989), New York: Avon Books. http://www.iraisemyeyes.com/.

Donald W. Smith — Finding My Voice "The only drawback to this form of communication is that occasionally people get caught up in the technology and are fascinated by the computer mounted on my wheelchair. They fail to notice that I am talking to them." http://kilometresforcommunication.com/stories/don-smith/

Joel Smith — Alternatives to Speech and Real-time Communication by Joel Smith. Highly insightful and instructive presentation by person on the autism specturm about using real-time speech (responding to other people quickly) and using alternative methods; reasons for using alternatives; prejudice and ignorance; reactions by general public, professionals and other people with autism; internet resources. http://www.oocities.org/growingjoel/autreat/alternatives.doc

Sean Sokler — a 2005 graduate of George Mason University in Virginia with a major in Psychology and a minor in History/Art History, Sean has been using facilitated communication since he was in the fifth grade.  He's given us permission to post some of his college work: http://everyonecommunicates.org/seansokler/. He maintains two blogs: Sean's Shout-Outs (http://seansshoutouts.blogspot.com/) and the more recent Sean Disputes (http://seandsokler.blogspot.com/).

Laura Spray — "Radical Listening, Radical Touch" by Byron Woods The Independent Weekly, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, NC. November 16, 2005 http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A25612.   Also see Chris Mueller-Medlicott

Joseph Stern — My Juliet http://www.everyonecommunicates.org/breaking-the-barriers/stories.htm.

Simon Stevens — Simon Stevens Viewpoint (blog): http://simonstevensviewpoint.blogspot.co.uk/

Sarah Stup — Advocate and author of four books. Visit her beautiful website, Sarah Stup, Are Your Eyes Listening?, at http://www.sarahstup.com/

Eva Sweeney, filmmaker — The Deal with Disability (blog) "I like to write, to take digital photographs, and just chill…This blog is about how people treat me…I have Cerebral Palsy, which for me means I can't walk, speak, or use muscles in traditional ways. I use a power wheelchair to get around and spell out what I want to say on a letterboard." http://thedealwithdisability.blogspot.com/. Respect: The Joy of Aides (film trailer) http://vimeo.com/33433271

Kayla Takeuchi — Kayla’s Story. "I am nonverbal and communicate by typing ... I first got my voice in April 2007. I was 15 years old at the time. Imagine being 15 and getting your first chance to really talk to your parents. Needless to say, this changed everything." http://www.happytrailsridingacademy.org/our-programs/rider-stories/kayla-s-story/. Kayla’s Voice ... Empowering People With Autism video trailer (run time 3:50) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzYIidZvfjA

Julia Tavalaro — Look Up for Yes by Julia Tavalaro and Richard Tayson, Penguin, 1998. https://www.amazon.com/Look-up-Yes-Julia-Tavalaro/dp/0140272828

Tracy Thresher — Advocate and film star (Wretches and Jabberers). Tracy's Blog (http://wretchesandjabberers.org/tracy/): "Peace becomes possible through having the proper communication. The most important thing new or stagnant supports can do is rethink your original thoughts about disability and find ways to look into our eyes to find the glimmer of intelligent thought shining like a beacon of hope, lighting the path for the children of tomorrow."   Tracy's Writings (http://wretchesandjabberers.org/tracy-writings.php): "I am Tracy Thresher a man with autism who moves sideways through the world. What that means is that my mind and body are not always connected or working together."   "Real Supports: What Works, What Doesn't, 'Possibilities'" (Page 10): http://www.autcom.org/pdf/AutcomNLFall2006.pdf.   Building the Road of Self-Advocacy. "Most people take their ability to talk for granted and I take my inability to talk quite seriously." http://soe.syr.edu/media/documents/2010/6/The_Road_to_Self_Advocacy.pdf

Nathan Trainor — My Name Is Nathan Trainor: http://www.help.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Trainor.pdf.   Awakening the Silence (newspaper article). Trainor's first communication using FC: "Important talking is what I need to say what I want." He has recently become a columnist for the Bremer County (Iowa) Independent. http://wcfcourier.com/news/metro/article_8bbf2388-c507-5ca7-bc4e-68c623ba9bcd.html

Dan Treacy — I Don't Feel Defeated, AutCom newsletter http://www.autcom.org/articles/Defeated.html

Will Turnbull — "With one foot in each world," autistic man earns MU degree. "I loved (the course) ... "It involved hearing the voices of all the disenfranchised – ethnic groups, women, even those with communication differences like me." http://lancasteronline.com/news/with-one-foot-in-each-world-autistic-man-earns-mu/article_a6c74a3f-153f-5fa2-9312-0d96705b09b0.html.

Mark Utter — "Once upon a time there was a boy named Mark who everyone thought was wanting more brains in his empty head. I am that boy and I want to say that I had to work very hard to not accept the thoughts people had about me." Our Visions Pave the Roads to Our Futures: http://www.utterenergy.org/blog/2016/1/8/our-visions-pave-the-roads-to-our-futures. Utter Energy blog at Utter Communication Strategies website. "I am foolishly optimistic about the future and want you all to help me make this world wonderful." http://www.utterenergy.org/blog/

J. Kevin Vasey — "When I was in high school, I thought that I had an interesting career ahead as a writer or an artist. But I have been sentenced to working in a laundry for many years. I’m limited to what support people are able and willing to do with me." The quote comes from Kevin's article "Opportunities Missed" which appeared in the Bridges Over Barriers Newsletter, April 2008. (Available at "http://www.ont-autism.uoguelph.ca/BOB-4-2008-p.pdf", page 4.)   He has published a book, The Road Trip: Life with Autism, by Gloria Pearson-Vasey and J. Kevin Vasey (Ottawa: Novalis, 2005). ISBN 2-89507-603-0. http://www.amazon.com/The-Road-Trip-Life-Autism/dp/2895076030.

Karly Wahlin — Inspired by Love (website). "I am the person I am today because of the challenges I face, but I don’t want you to see me as limited because I have a lot to offer and say – I hope you can hear me! ... I’m ready to share my thoughts about my life and what I want others to learn about living with Rett Syndrome ... I am eager to show you that those of us who are silent are not ignorant." http://spiritdances.wordpress.com/

Kerr Wattie — "Just because I communicate differently doesn't mean I'm that different from anyone else. Being heard, understood and respected is as important to me as it is to anyone else." http://kilometresforcommunication.com/stories/kerr-wattie/

Danson Mandela Wambua — Danson: The Extraordinary Discovery of an Autistic Child’s Innermost Thoughts and Feelings by Michele Pierce Burns and Danson Mandela Wambua. "Look at my love and know how to be real." This book represents a selection of Danson’s writings from February 2008 to June 2008. Unless otherwise noted, all words were spelled out on his alphabet board." http://www.dansonsbook.com

Bud Wardlaw, accountant — Conveying one’s humanity through humor. "I've found there can be no pain, discomfort, loss or sadness where there is laughter!" http://depts.washington.edu/enables/profiles/prof_bud.htm

Lydia Wayman — Author, poet, blogger at AutisticSpeaks "... I believe that I have a purpose. / That I'm not broken or damaged. / That a girl with a dream and a keyboard can change the world ..." http://autisticspeaks.wordpress.com

Ian Wetherbee — Panel presentation: "Our Bachelor’s Degrees Are On the Wall, But Our Journeys Are Far from Over", Ian Wetherbee, Huntington University, B.A. 2004. "OK, I do view my life as richer for having gone to college. My self esteem is higher and I can listen to a math lecture and not get lost." http://www.autcom.org/pdf/AutcomNLWinter2009.pdf (page 5). Wetherbee maintained a blog from 2005-2008. It's no longer online, but we have linked to a copy at archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20150815054944/http://ianwetherbee.com/wetherblog/index.php

David Whitenett — "'Recently, my supervisor expressed relief that he could read my documentation much easier than most of the program staff. That made me feel proud of that accomplishment,' said Whitenett." http://quest.mda.org/series/access-unlimited/mind-muscle

Bob Williams — Associate Commissioner for the Social Security's Office of Employment Support Programs, previously Commissioner of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities in Health and Human Services (HHS) and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Disability, Aging and Long Term Care Policy in the Office for Planning and Evaluation under HHS Secretary Donna Shalala, disability activist.   The Americans with Disabilities Act: Bob Williams (video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLg533x8vKE.   "What If???" (poem) by Bob Williams: http://climbingeverymountain.com/what-if-bob-williams/.   Choose Work Blog: The official blog of Social Security’s Ticket to Work program http://www.choosework.net/blog/jsp/bloglist.jsp?tag=bob+williams.

Simon Wilson — No Challenge too Big (autobiography): http://www.simonsbook.co.uk/

Wally Wojtowicz Jr. — "My Three Worlds", presented at the AutCom Conference, September, 2005). "Beginning FC at age 25 opened doors for me that were closed as a younger person. I became able to undo most of the misconceptions that I had formulated in my mind about your world when I could ask questions about what I didn't understand." AutCom Newsletter (page 4): http://www.autcom.org/pdf/AutcomNLSpring2006.pdf.   Teaching the Non-verbal Autistic Student (summarized by Gail Gillingham Wylie)
http://www.autismconsultingservice.com/#!teaching-the-autistic-child/cgad.   Heart Savants (video with text): "I remember wondering at that time who made the day and the night, the rain, thunder, snow, the wind, cold, heat of summer ... I did not have any way to ask these questions because I had no way to communicate my concerns." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inRak4jGgmE.

Erin Brady Worsham — "That night, two rays of hope began to pierce the darkness of my soul. The first was a certainty that no one could predict the number of my days in this world, and the second was the realization that I could still make something of my life!" http://quest.mda.org/series/access-unlimited/mind-muscle.

Jim Wyllie — "Jim Wyllie Breaks the Communication Barrier" (The original website is no longer active but it was preserved at archive.org): https://web.archive.org/web/20060428004412/http://www.pai-ca.org/newsltrs/Issue76/WylieArticle.htm.

Mike "X" — In My Voice (blog) "I am choosing to speak out because I can where others can't. Most with my severity of symptoms never make it into the world at all. We are the Helen Kellers of autism, likely labeled severely and profoundly retarded; suggested institutionalized at outset. This was my diagnosis." http://journalofanautist.blogspot.com/

Emma Zurcher-Long — "In any case, what I manage to say usually baffles the people I am speaking to, causing them to misunderstand me. Not being able to speak what’s in my heart so that others are able to understand can be challenging, but I can type things that I cannot reliably say." How we Communicate – A Podcast: https://emmashopebook.com/2016/05/24/emmas-podcast-singing-from-the-heart/. Emma's Hope Book: Living Being Autistic. Writings, poems, video. https://emmashopebook.com/

Collections of Writings and Personal Accounts

Accounts of or by FCT users in Australia: http://www.annemcdonaldcentre.org.au/our-stories

AT and AAC Profiles on the AT/AAC enABLES website. Video clips and personal accounts by over 25 people who use AAC, links to more sites with profiles of over 100 people who use AAC. http://depts.washington.edu/enables/profiles/profiles_at_aac.htm

Beneath the Surface: Creative Expressions of Augmented Communicators, edited by Michael B. Williams and Carole Jane Krezman, ISAAC Press, 2000. https://www.isaac-online.org/english/publications/

Bridges over Barriers "is a group that has been created by us as we grow as communicators." Poetry, insights, and articles by individuals who type to communicate and by their family, friends, communication assistants, and others. http://www.ont-autism.uoguelph.ca/Bridges-2007.html

Facilitated Communication Case Studies: See Us Smart! by Charlene Brandl (Chapter 10 is available online). This book provides case studies of different children, some with autism, others with Down syndrome, who demonstrate the effectiveness of facilitated communication. This method has helped these youngsters communicate with their parents, teachers, and peers. The youngsters clearly demonstrate why they want people to "See Us Smart!" http://www.robbiedeanpress.com/readingroom/rr007.htm#Contents

Give me my voice : a book of poems expressed through facilitated communication by Jane Gauger, Towson, MD : Gentle Revolution Press, 2003, ©1993. http://www.gentlerevolution.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?

Impacts of Severe Communication Disabilities on Individuals. Many quotes by individual AAC users on the importance of communication to life: "Without a doubt, my inability to speak has been the single most devastating aspect of my handicap. If I were granted one wish and one wish only, I would not hesitate for an instant to request that I be able to talk, if only for one day, or even one hour." "Speech is the most important thing we have. It makes us a person and not a thing. No one should ever have to be a "thing." "Speechlessness is not a loss of life but a loss of access to life ..." http://www.augcominc.com/whatsnew/impacts.html

Learning About Independent Typing From People Working To Achieve It, Douglas Biklen, Facilitated Communication Institute. "Lucy Harrison (age 17), Larry Bissonnette (age 36) and Sharisa Kochmeister (age 15) all use facilitated communication as their means of expression. They are all working on and achieving independent typing." http://soe.syr.edu/media/documents/2010/7/learning_about_independent_typing.pdf

Let’s Talk AAC blog: Communicators in Action https://aaclanguagelab.com/…/catego…/communicators-in-action

Making Their Way: Despite Critics, Autistic Youths Still Typing ABC News, January 20, 2003 Text of followup interviews with Lucy Harrison, Jeff Powell, and Ben Lehr who were interviewed first in 1992. http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/2003/1-03/ABC1-20-03.html

Many Methods, One Goal: To Communicate Writing Collection. International collection of over 60 stories, poems, essays, videos by people who use AAC; many describe the ways in which the authors communicate without speech and point out the importance of access to alternatives for communicating. International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC), International AAC Awareness Month, October 2009. https://www.isaac-online.org/english/aac-awareness/archive-material/

Many Stories, One Voice Story Collection. Collection of over 100 stories, essays, and poems written by people who use AAC; includes personal essays and creative stories with characters who use AAC. International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC), International AAC Awareness Month, August 2008. https://www.isaac-online.org/english/aac-awareness/archive-material/

Mind Muscle by Erin Brady Worsham. MDA Quest, Vol. 11, No. 3. Personal stories of six AAC users. http://quest.mda.org/series/access-unlimited/mind-muscle

Proceedings of the Pittsburgh Employment Conference for Augmented Communicators. This site has proceedings from 2001, 2005, and 2007, including full text of presentations by AAC users with an employment focus. http://www.shoutaac.org/pastpecconferences.htm

Sharing Our Wisdom: A Collection of Presentations by People within the Autism Spectrum edited by Gail Gillingham and Sandra McClennan (Autism National Committee, 2003). Writings by the following people with autism who communicate by typing are collected in this book: Kenny Affonce, Dare to Dream a Little Dream; Jamie Burke, Life's a Beach; Robert W. Cutler, When We Were Young, Pulling the Plug on Aversives; Tyler Fihe, Understanding Autism; Maegan Stoddard Garcia, An Inner Voice Set Free; David Goodman, Things that Bother Me; Mike Hoover, To Be a Good Helper, Using Communication Devices; Sharisa Joy Kochmeister, To Have a Voice; Nick Pentzall, 3 Presentations; Sandra Radisch, Sandra: The Sometimes Invisible Woman; Chammi Rajapatirana, I Have Words Now, Waiting to Live; Sue Rubin, FC: The Key to Success; Jenn Seybert, Inclusion ... Finally!; Dan Treacy, Presentable, Facts for Caregivers 101; Ian Wetherbee, Realities of Autism; Wally Wojtowicz, Jr., The Essence of Facilitated Communication. https://www.amazon.com/Sharing-Our-Wisdom-Collection-Presentations/dp/0968786324

Quiet Riot Collected Facilitated Fables: Write, That’s How We Fight —Quiet Riot is a group of young adults who don’t use the spoken word. Quiet Riot had their first meeting in 2012. They meet in Manchester but come from around the UK, with members in Holland and Ireland. http://inclusive-solutions.com/product/quiet-riot-collected-facilitated-fables/

Speaking Up and Spelling It Out: Personal Essays on Augmentative and Alternative Communication edited by Melanie Fried-Oken and Hank A. Bersani, Jr. (Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co, 2000). "This is a book for people who use AAC and for those who live, work, recreate, or go to school with AAC users." Twenty-eight diverse individuals who use AAC, from teens to senior citizens, give first-person accounts of how living with AAC has affected them. Chapter cross-reference by topic is very helpful: What is AAC? Vocabulary and Storytelling, The Role of Technology and Alternative Access, Principles of Assessment, AAC Intervention, AAC and Developmental Disabilities, Language Learning and Literacy, Educational Inclusion of AAC Users, AAC for Adults with Acquired Physical Disabilities, AAC for Adults with Severe Aphasia, Employment and AAC, AAC in Intensive and Acute Care Settings, Personal Care Attendants, Family- Centered Issues, Self-Determination and AAC, Public Policy and AAC, Multicultural Issues and AAC, Professional AAC Training. Janice Staehely, The Communication Dance; Gregory M. Haslett, Sand and Sea; Gus Estrella, Confessions of a Blabber Finger; Peg L. Johnson, If I do Say So Myself!; J. Brown, Nobody Knows Me but Me, Myself, and I – the Three of Us; Tara M. McMillen, Communication My Way; Solomon Vulf Rakhman, One Life, Two Countries; Sharon P. Price, My Early Life and Education; Gregory M. Haslett, To Play Music; Spencer Houston, Reflections on a Kayak Expedition in Scotland; Toby Churchill, The AAC Manufacturer's Tale; Laurence C. Thomson and Terry M. Thompson, Partners with a View; William L. Rush, Liberating Myself; David Chapple, Empowerment; Arthur Honeyman, Reaching for the Stars and Almost Touching Them; Peg L. Johnson, Others Say So, Too; Arthur Honeyman, butt look: a different perspective; Gail M. Grandy, How I Communicate; Sharon Jodock-King and Alan R. King, Our Lives, Our Community, Our Caregivers; Chris Featherly, Life with Cerebral Palsy; Thomas J. Boumans, Down Memory Lane; Mike Ward, How I Got Here; Jim Prentice, With Communication, Anything Is Possible; Rick Hohn, Making People Laugh and Cry; Alan R. King, I almost Died, but Somehow I Lived; Michael B. Williams, Just an Independent Guy Who Leads a Busy Life; Gordon W. Cardona, Spaghetti Talk; Bob Williams, More than an Exception to the Rule; Arthur Honeyman, Father Warrior of a CP Warrior. http://inclusive-solutions.com/product/quiet-riot-collected-facilitated-fables/.

Speechless: Facilitated Communication for People Without Voices by Rosemary Crossley http://www.annemcdonaldcentre.org.au/speechless

Stories, Kilometres for Communication, a project of ISAAC Canada. "We encourage you to tell us your story if you speak with AAC, if you are close to someone who speaks with AAC, or close to someone who is without speech and doesn't speak with AAC." http://kilometresforcommunication.com/stories/

Typed Words, Loud Voices edited by Ibby Grace and Amy Sequenzia. "Typed Words, Loud Voices is written by a coalition of writers who type to talk and believe it is neither logical nor fair that some people should be expected to prove themselves every time they have something to say. Read our arguments and hear us. Help us change the world." http://autonomous-press.myshopify.com/products/typed-words-loud-voices

Watch Our Words, a group of FC typers and facilitators in Colorado. In-home and large group trainings are conducted by FC typers with the help of their facilitators. https://www.amazon.com/Speaking-Spelling-Out-Melanie-Fried-Oken/dp/1557664471

Waves of Words: Augmented Communicators Read and Write, edited by Karen A. Erickson, David A. Koppenhaver, and David E. Yoder, ISAAC Press, 2002. https://www.isaac-online.org/english/publications/

The Writers Brigade http://aac-rerc.psu.edu/index.php/projects/show/id/16

Lists of Publications and Documentaries By and About People Who Use AAC

University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability Bookstore. Numerous books by or about people who use augmentative communication and facilitated communication training are available. http://www.iodbookstore.org/categories/Communication/

Facilitated Communication Institute
Personal Writing, Poetry, Presentations: AAC Users – "A primary function of this site is to share the work and words of individuals who type to communicate from around the globe." http://soe.syr.edu/centers_institutes/institute_communication_inclusion/aac_users/default.aspx
Videotapes, documentaries: http://soe.syr.edu/centers_institutes/institute_communication_inclusion/about/videos.aspx

ISAAC publications (International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication): https://www.isaac-online.org/english/publications/

Non-Autism Books of Interest - Facilitated Communication http://www.autism-resources.com/generaltopics/fc.html

Autism Books - Facilitated Communication http://www.autism-resources.com/nonfictiontopics/fc.html

Selected Readings Related to Augmentative and Facilitated Communication (The original website is no longer active but it was preserved at archive.org.) https://web.archive.org/web/20080310021822/http://www.tash.org/IRR/communication/comm_living_fcreadings.html