Speaking Out Conference

Speaking Out 2026

Speaking Out 2026: Keep Speaking Out. Keep Taking Action.

Speaking Out 2026 may be over, but the action doesn’t stop here.

This year’s theme, From Awareness to Action, was about moving beyond knowing what aphasia is — and finding ways to speak up, connect, advocate, and create change.

We’ve gathered the conference recordings, presentation slides, and a new Post-Conference Advocacy Packet so you can revisit what you learned, share it with others, and choose your own next step.

Explore - Start with the Post-Conference Packet

Our new Speaking Out 2026 Post-Conference Packet brings many of the ideas and resources from the conference together in one place.

It includes clickable resources to help you:

Advocate for yourself — communicate your needs, tell your story, find helpful tools, support your well-being, and connect with others.
Speak out for aphasia — teach others, raise awareness, share aphasia stories, become an NAA Ambassador, build community, and take action.

The packet was designed to be used, not just read. Most resources are clickable, so you can find something that interests you and go directly to it.

Speaking Out 2026 Post-Conference Advocacy Packet

Watch Speaking Out 2026

Missed a session? Want to watch one again? Or know someone who would benefit from hearing one of our speakers?

The Speaking Out 2026 video playlist lets you continue learning and share these important conversations with others.

Watch the Speaking Out 2026 Playlist

View the Presentation Slides

Want to go back to something you saw during a presentation?

We’re also sharing the PowerPoint slides from our Speaking Out 2026 speakers so you can review key information at your own pace.

From Awareness to Action Advocacy Toolkit Community Advocacy in Action

Take Action

What Will YOU Do Next?

Speaking Out was designed to move us from awareness to action.

Maybe your next step is telling someone about aphasia. Maybe it is asking for something you need. Maybe it is sharing your story. Maybe it is joining something new.

As the final page of our packet reminds us:

ONE SMALL STEP CAN START SOMETHING BIG. Help Us Make Speaking Out Even Better. Your voice matters to us.

If you attended Speaking Out 2026 — virtually, at a host site, for one session, or for the whole conference — please tell us what worked, what you learned, and what you would like to see next. Your feedback helps shape future NAA education and advocacy.

Share Your Feedback

Help Us Keep it Going

Help Keep This Work Going

NAA makes Speaking Out, educational programs, advocacy resources, and community support available because people believe that everyone with aphasia deserves information, connection, and a voice.

If Speaking Out helped you or someone you care about, please consider making a gift to help us continue this work and reach even more people.

Support the NAA

Keep Speaking Out. Watch. Learn. Share. Advocate.

Whether you attended the conference or are discovering these resources for the first time, they belong to you.

Keep speaking out. Keep taking action.

2025

Dates: October 3 – 4, 2025

Location: Virtual

Highlights:

Read the 2025 Blog Post

2010s

2016

Florida – Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (FLASHA)

2014

Lake Buena Vista, FL – Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (FLASHA) and Voices of Hope

2013

Washington, DC – National Black Association for Speech Language and Hearing (NBASLH)

2012

Pittsburgh, PA – PIRATE Program at the University of Pittsburgh
Atlanta, GA – Georgia State University
Las Vegas, NV – St. Rose Dominican Hospitals

2011

Chicago, IL – Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

2010

Washington, DC – National Rehab Hospital, Stroke Comeback Center
Tulsa, OK – Oklahoma Speech Language Hearing Association

2000s

2008

New York, NY – NYU Steinhardt

2006

Boston, MA – BU Aphasia Community Group of Boston, Harold Goodglass Aphasia Research Center, Emerson College, Mass General

2004

Tampa, FL

2002

Washington, DC – Gallaudet University

2000

Ypsilanti, MI – University of Michigan

1998

First National Speaking Out Conference

Rehab Institute of Chicago, IL

NAA Response Director: Penny Montgomery

NAA Board Chair: Martha Taylor Sarno

From the brochure:

“The conference will provide a forum and give state-of-the-art information on new opportunities to provide resources for stroke and aphasia survivors.

The importance of the family and the need for relevant community organization support will be stressed in a two-day program attracting professionals from the health care team working with stroke and aphasia patients, families of stroke survivors and individuals recovering from stroke themselves.

Leaders from acute care and rehabilitation, from organizations dedicated to stroke and aphasia recovery programs, and families and stroke survivors themselves will present current topics and needs for developing programs for this population.

Special exhibits, film theater and opportunity for audience participation will encouraged throughout the two-day formal program.

An opening night reception and a Saturday of cultural and social events are optional activities.”

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