Advocating for individuals with significant communication support needs resulting from intellectual disability, that may coexist with autism, sensory and/or motor limitation.
The NJC is made up of representatives from eight member organizations, and focuses on research, policy, practice, and education.
Announcements
2025 MYAPE recipient, Lokotek of Georgia
McLean-Yoder Award for Professional Excellence (MYAPE)
The MYAPE honors a team that exemplifies high quality professional services to individuals with severe disabilities.
The deadline to submit an application is October 1, 2026.
Drs. Schiefelbusch, McLean, and Yoder
McLean Yoder Schiefelbusch Fund (MYS Fund)
The NJC raised the funds to endow this ASHFoundation fund so that student scholars can receive support for research on the communication needs of people with severe disabilities.
NJC members talk about challenges faced by individuals with severe disabilities.
This video was developed specifically to encourage students and practitioners to think about the particular challenges faced by individuals with severe disabilities across the lifespan.
Use the video in its entirety, or choose selected topics for study and discussion. Questions and resources to facilitate conversation can be found here.
Communication Bill of Rights
- The right to dignity and respect in all interactions.
- The right to meaningful communication that is culturally and linguistically appropriate.
- The right to be addressed directly and not be spoken for or talked about as if not there.
- The right to receive a response to all communication, even when the desired outcome is not possible.
- The right to participate across settings as full communication partners.
- The right to interact socially and to build and keep relationships.
- The right to be given—and to understand—information about objects, actions, events, and people.
- The right to ask for or refuse objects, actions, events, and people.
- The right to express preferences and feelings, make comments, and share opinions.
- The right to make choices from meaningful options.
- The right to access services and supports for communication across the lifespan.
- The right to individualized, working augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems and other assistive technology (AT) at all times.
Intervention Issues and Practices
