Let Your Voice Be Heard

Volume 6 | Issue 1 | March 2026

Let's Make An ImpAACt

Hello ImpAACt Voices Community,

Welcome to Let Your Voice Be Heard, the ImpAACt Voices’ eNewsletter. This issue highlights voices, leadership, and lived experiences that continue to shape our community — a community led by AAC users. You’ll find meaningful conversations, community stories, and opportunities to connect through our upcoming monthly events.

We’re glad you’re here and part of this community. We hope you find something that resonates and encourages you to stay connected.

Here's what's inside this quarter:

Star-Guest Spotlight

with Mateo Moreno

Volunteer Spotlight

with Alma Silver

Stars on the Horizon

Mateo Moreno and Krista Howard

Save the Date & Get Involved

Upcoming Events

Star-Guest Spotlight

with Mateo Moreno

Image Description: Mateo is smiling while holding a speech-generating device, standing against a light background and looking toward the camera.

As part of our Star-Guest Speaker Series, we highlight leaders who are creating change through their work, ideas, and contributions. We are excited to have Mateo Moreno join us on May 12. Ahead of the Hangout, we asked him to share reflections on communication, inclusion, and his experiences using AAC. Here is what he shared with us:

1. Can you share a meaningful experience that shaped your communication journey? "Going to an AAC camp with my family for 5 years changed my life. I met another AAC user there for the first time. I found mentors and learned there were a lot of other AAC users out there like me."

2. What is one thing that you wish more people knew or understood about AAC? "I wish everyone knew how smart and capable we are."

3. Can you give an example of a time when you advocated for yourself? "When I went to a non AAC camp, I had a hard time speaking up for myself. It sounds minor, but my counselors were convinced I was allergic to eggs and wouldn't let me eat eggs all week. I tried to tell them I wasn't allergic, but they wouldn't listen, so I couldn't eat eggs there. It was irritating. Now I'm a better self advocate because I know how it felt when I wasn't heard. I advocate for others, and I advocate for myself all the time, like at doctor's appointments."

4. Without giving too much away, what can attendees look forward to during your talk? "I'd love to talk about my visits to classrooms where I talk to students about AAC, disability, and inclusion. I'd like to talk about how much I love presenting at conferences, schools, and universities, and how it all started. Maybe other attendees would be interested in getting started, too."

Join Mateo at our upcoming virtual AAC Monthly Hangout as he shares more about his experiences and insights, and connects with our community:

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

6:00 pm ET – 7:00 pm ET

WHERE: Virtual (Zoom®)

Have a question for Mateo?

Email us at info@impaactvoices.org or come ready to ask during the Hangout.

Volunteer Spotlight

with Alma Silver, Hangout Host

Image Description: Alma has curly brown hair and glasses, and smiles at the camera while seated in her wheelchair. She is on a pier overhanging a large body of water.

Please join us in welcoming Alma to the ImpAACt Voices team. Alma is joining as a Hangout Host, helping create meaningful spaces for connection in our community. We are grateful for her vision and leadership as part of ImpAACt Voices. To get to know Alma a little better, we asked her a few questions.

Age: 27

Diagnosis: Cerebral Palsy

First Speech-Generating Device: Age 5

Access Method: Direct select via touch

First Met Another AAC user: "I was fortunate enough to grow up alongside another age mate in the AAC community. However, it wasn't until after college that I started making intentional efforts to network more broadly within the AAC community."

Lives in: Minnesota

BIO: Alma Silver is an educator, advocate, community builder, and writer who communicates using AAC. She has experience in developing programs and consulting on accessibility plans for a wide variety of educational and nonprofit organizations. Alma has a passion for teaching, and she has led workshops nationwide on disability justice issues and best practices for promoting allyship with the AAC community. Alma lives in West St. Paul, MN, with her partner. In her free time, Alma is likely embarking on her next accessible hiking or travel adventure.

1. What drew you to ImpAACt Voices, and what made you want to be part of the community? "As someone who uses AAC full-time, it is incredibly empowering to be in community with other people who “get it” and understand what it’s like to navigate a world that structurally wasn’t designed with AAC users in mind. I was drawn to ImpAACt Voices’ on cultivating meaningful and long-term relationships within the AAC community. I believe that being intentional about building relationships and connecting with those around you is one of the most powerful ways to create change!"

2. What has been most meaningful to you about being part of the ImpAACt Voices community? “ I have met some of the most genuine, kindhearted, and amazing people throughout my time volunteering with ImpAACt Voices. Lots of laughter and memories have been shared, and I have met fellow AAC users that I am confident I will stay connected with for years to come.”

3. What would you want someone new to ImpAACt Voices to know? "Your voice matters! No matter how you communicate or how long it may take for you to produce a message on your AAC device, your thoughts are important and worthy of being heard. Never underestimate the power you have to speak your truth."

4. What are you currently working on or excited about right now? "I am hoping to apply to grad school in the very near future, with the goal of conducting research to help make mental health services more accessible and inclusive for people who communicate through AAC. "

5. Fun facts about yourself: " 1) I have travelled across 3 different countries in Europe, and 2) I once bumped into Joe Biden on accident!"

We are grateful to have Alma as part of ImpAACt Voices and look forward to the impact she will have as a Hangout Host. Her experiences reflect the strength of our community and the importance of creating spaces where people can connect, share, and be heard. You can also join Alma at an upcoming Hangout to connect and be part of the conversation.

Stars on the Horizon

Mateo Moreno and Krista Howard

Meet Mateo Moreno and Krista Howard, two leaders making an impact through their advocacy and the work they are doing in their communities and beyond. In the coming months, they will join us for upcoming virtual AAC Monthly Hangouts, where they will share their perspectives and connect with our community. We look forward to the conversations ahead.

Save the Date: Mateo joins us on Tuesday, May 12, and Krista on Tuesday, August 11, from 6:00 pm ET – 7:00 pm ET for our virtual AAC Monthly Hangouts. Stay tuned for details.

About Mateo:

Age: 26

Diagnosis: Apraxia and Dysarthria

First Speech-Generating Device: Age 4

Access Method: Direct select via touch

First Met Another AAC User: Age 7

Lives in: Ohio

Mateo presents internationally and visits classrooms to speak about AAC, disability, and inclusion. He has served as a mentor at Talking With Technology Camp and Camp ALEC. Mateo is a member of USSAAC, where he serves on the AAC Awareness Committee and participates in the Speaker Connection program. He is also a PRC-Saltillo Ambassador and Mentor. Most recently, Mateo received the Prentke AAC Distinguished Lecture Award. He is featured in the Disney+ short documentary Camp ALEC as part of the People and Places series.

Image Description: Mateo is smiling while holding a speech-generating device, standing against a light background and looking toward the camera.

About Krista:

Diagnosis: Cerebral Palsy

First Speech-Generating Device: Age 5

Access Method: Direct select via touch

First Met Another AAC User: Age 7—still a friend today

Lives in: Arizona

Krista Howard is a lifelong AAC user, mentor, and Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). She has used AAC since age five and is passionate about empowering individuals with complex communication needs. Krista provides mentoring, modeling, and training across schools, teletherapy, and community settings. She is also a conference presenter, advocate, student, and mother, using her experience to support others in finding their voice through communication in all forms.

Image Description: Krista has short wavy hair and is smiling while seated in a professional setting with a softly blurred background, looking toward the camera.

Save the Date & Get Involved

Upcoming AAC Events

Connection. Conversation. Community.

ImpAACt Voices hosts monthly virtual events designed to build connection, conversation, and community. Here’s what’s coming up in April and how to join us.

These virtual Hangouts are for AAC users (ages 14+), creating space to connect with others who use AAC. ImpAACt Voices also hosts events for families, professionals, supporters, and community allies.

New to Our Hangouts?

Whether you’re joining for the first time or sharing with a friend, you only need to register once to receive details and monthly Hangout updates. It’s fast, free, and easy.

👉🏼 Register here

Let’s connect, show up, and build a stronger community together.