News and Announcements

Each year, the NAA bestows our aphasia advocacy award in honor of our founder, Dr. Martha Taylor Sarno. Today, we celebrate our 2025 recipient, Thomas Broussard. Read on to learn about Dr. Broussard and the advocacy award.

There’s a new project being led by the NAA with funding support from PCORI. This project puts the voices of people with aphasia at the center of the conversation. It’s called a CORE Impact project, and the goal is to identify the most important impacts and challenges of living with aphasia.

On October 3rd and 4th, the NAA’s Speaking Out 2025 gathered hundreds of people with aphasia, caregivers, and professionals for two days of stories, strategies, and shared strength. During the sessions, participants filled the chat with ideas, tools, and community recommendations. Read on to learn more and for links to the recording.

June was Aphasia Awareness Month around the country and around the world! Aphasia Awareness Month is an opportunity for the NAA to educate the general public about aphasia… what it is, and what it is not.  We are also able to share all of the amazing programs serving people with aphasia and their families in communities across the nation.

June is National Aphasia Awareness Month, and the NAA is excited to announce our initiatives for this year! From puzzle-themed projects  to community/library showcases , there’s something for everyone – and it all starts with you.

The one-hour International PPA Awareness Day webinar allowed people with PPA to share their experience through photos, art, poetry and more! The webinar included information from leading clinician-researchers including Drs Maya Henry, Sharon Antonucci, Stephanie Grasso, and Jeanne Gallée. Watch the webinar recording and find additional PPA resources!

We’re proud to announce our largest grant cycle ever: $30,000 in funding to support cutting-edge research in aphasia. This year’s grant cycle includes two Barbara Martin Aphasia Research Grants, and one Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) Research Grant. These grants provide a unique opportunity for early-career and established researchers alike to pursue projects that could reshape how aphasia is understood, diagnosed, treated, and lived with.

The NAA is proud to honor the legacy of Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, a remarkable leader in speech-language pathology and health equity. Her groundbreaking work advanced our understanding of aphasia care for underserved communities and inspired a commitment to fostering change in healthcare systems. Learn more about the new aphasia health equity mini-grants.

The NAA hosted our 3rd Annual Night of Aphasia Arts event on March 27, 2025. Audience members were awe inspired and impressed at the creative expressions of those with aphasia! The online gala featured recorded performances, visual art, photography, poetry, and so much more. Each work of art showcased a refreshing spirit of resilience and talent.

As we embark on a new chapter at the NAA, we welcome five esteemed new members to our Board of Directors. Each brings exceptional expertise and a shared passion for improving the lives of people with aphasia and their families: