Jordyn Zimmerman
About Jordyn
Jordyn Zimmerman is a passionate educator and disability advocate. After being diagnosed as autistic at a young age, she did not receive access to augmentative communication until the age of 18. That arduous journey fuels her beliefs around leveraging tools and supports to drive change. She now thrives on boldly showing up and redefining what is possible in learning spaces and throughout the broader community — and has personal experience challenging the status quo, which is featured in the 2021 documentary, This Is Not About Me.
Technology enabled effective communication, and Jordyn began advocating through a series of presentations and keynotes around the world. She has played a pivotal role on several projects focused on accessibility — and her insights on autism and inclusion have been published in places such as The Boston Globe and The New York Times, as well as quotes in The 19th. Jordyn is Board Chair of the nonprofit CommunicationFIRST, an Apple Distinguished Educator, and is a two-time appointee on The United States Presidential Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. An avid advocate for all learners, Jordyn's vision is clear: To ensure everyone is able to access effective communication and exercise their right to truly inclusive communities.
Jordyn earned her Bachelor's degree in Education Policy from Ohio University and her Master's of Education at Boston College. She is currently pursuing her Master's of Business Administration.
What People Are Saying
"Jordyn informed and challenged the practice of over 1000 staff within our district. A year later and the teachers still come to me talking about her takeaways when constructing lessons and brainstorming ideas."
-High School Principal, Houston, TX
"Jordyn's keynote touched the hearts and minds of educators from all over the world. The powerful combination of visuals and clear writing made for a very compelling presentation. Jordyn's lessons are a must for all educators. We need people like Jordyn who can change the world!"
Alan November, Marblehead, MA
International leader in education technology, author, and host of the Building Learning Communities Conference
"I was a part of the NPS team that had the privilege of meeting with Jordyn. It left me with many things to think about and the inspiration to work harder for my students. Within five minutes, I already felt it was the best use of my professional development time in 15 years of teaching."
-Kathleen C., Newton, MA
TVI, Newton Public Schools
