United for Aphasia Awareness: The Proclamation Project and “What is Aphasia?”
Date: June 10, 2026
Topic: Aphasia Awareness Month – The Proclamation Project and answering the question “What is aphasia?”
Experts: Matthew Weingartner and Sara Sayers
Description: This special “Ask the Expert” webinar for Aphasia Awareness Month featured Matthew Weingartner and Sarah Sayers. Matt shared his journey from surviving a stroke in 2018 to becoming a powerful advocate, including his successful efforts to pass proclamations declaring June as Aphasia Awareness Month in his community. Sarah presented the NAA’s “What is Aphasia?” video project, where people living with aphasia shared their personal explanations of the condition. Sara introduced a personalized survey tool to help individuals create their own scripts for explaining aphasia to others. The webinar covered how to get involved in advocacy through the NAA Ambassador Program, which currently has over 300 volunteers across 45 states and 11 countries. We discussed various ways people can raise awareness including using aphasia ID cards, wearing awareness t-shirts, and participating in community outreach efforts.
Resources:
- On the NAA Website:
- Aphasia Awareness Month Information:
- “What is Aphasia” YouTube Playlist – Watch and listen to see how people with aphasia respond when asked “What is aphasia?”
- Voices of Aphasia
- Aphasia ID Cards
- Volunteer Ambassador Program – all are welcome!
- Start your own fundraiser for the NAA
- Donate to the NAA
- NAA Marketplace – Support the NAA and start the conversation about aphasia by buying NAA merch!
- Create your own personalized “What is Aphasia” script
- “A Matter of Matt” YouTube Channel
- Situational Aphasia ID Cards by Bryn
