Work that makes waves.
Experience spanning research, policy, and education.
Selected Media and Publications.
New Focus on autism fuels debate over splitting the spectrum
PBS News Hour, April 2026
Beyond access: the intersecting role of AAC, literacy, and technology
AAC Journal, June, 2025
Autism Journal, April, 2025
Boston College Magazine, Fall 2024
White House Global Accessibility Day Convening
White House Live Stream, May, 2024 (35:20)
Nonspeaking autistic woman embarks on journey to advocate for disability rights
CBS Mornings, May, 2024
An AAC Users Perspective on Access and Inclusion
CAST Accessible Learning Podcast, April, 2024
Nonspeaking Woman with Autism Now an Education Advocate
PEOPLE, May, 2023
Jordyn Zimmerman is redefining communication as a nonspeaking advocate for disability rights
19th News, April, 2023
Episode 181: Inclusive Education for students with communication disabilities
Beyond 6 Seconds, April, 2023
Invited presentation at ASHA, November, 2022. CommunicationFIRST Blog
See Us. Hear Us.: Jordyn Zimmerman
CommunicationFIRST, October, 2022
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee
NIH VideoCast, April, 2022 (2:27:00)
Uniquely Human, November, 2021
Happy Beginnings | Jordyn Zimmerman ’20 Wants to Be a Catalyst for Change
Ohio University, April, 2020
Leaders Around Me: Autobiographies of Autistics who Type, Point, and Spell to Communicate
Leaders Around Me: Autobiographies of Autistics who Type, Point, and Spell to Communicate is a compilation of 45 autobiographies. Edited by Edlyn Pena.
Ohio Today, August, 2018
Ohio Student to Receive International Award
Council for Exceptional Children, April, 2017
Communication As A Basic Right
Medium, April, 2017
The Mighty, November, 2015
Professional Experience.
CEL: The Center for Enriched Living, Remote
Manager of Education Products and Program Development, July 2025 - Present
The Nora Project (Acquired by CEL in 2025), Remote
Head of Product Strategy, January 2024 - June 2025
Program Strategy Manager, January 2022 - January 2024
Boston Public Schools, Boston, MA
Professional Intern, January 2021 - December 2021
National Disability Rights Network, Washington, DC
Public Policy Intern (AAPD), May 2019 - August 2019
Involvement and Leadership.
CommunicationFIRST Board of Directors, Member; Chairperson, December 2020 - Present
Apple Distinguished Educator, June 2023 - Present
The United States President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, SGE, March 2022 - June 2025
Hillel International, Student Cabinet Co-Chair; Board of Directors, Member, September 2018 - August 2023
Ohio University Sparkles, Founder and President, August 2016 - May 2020