Join the conversation
The Guild is hosting a free webinar and panel discussion expanding on the themes of the documentary, "We Need to Talk". This event is designed for a national audience seeking practical, inclusive communication strategies, including healthcare providers, educators, business owners, policymakers, and community members.
The conversation will include insights from family, clinical, and medical response perspectives. Together, the panelists will explore personal AAC stories, common barriers and solutions to inclusive community environments, and discussion for improving communication accessibility in healthcare, education, and business.
This event is free and open to the public.
Watch "We Need to Talk"
Ahead of the event, take some time to watch The Guild's mini-documentary, "We Need to Talk" (14 minutes).
The film provides a look into everyday life for 5 individuals who use communication devices. Panelists will be sharing their lived experience, some of which overlaps with the stories captured in the documentary. "We Need to Talk" will NOT be shown during the Zoom panel.
About the Panelists
Our panel brings together a diverse group of voices with firsthand experience in communication access and AAC. They offer valuable perspectives in understanding what AAC is, accessing communication supports, advocating for inclusive practices, and combining personal and professional use of AAC.
Oanh Bui
MHA, MA
Oanh Bui is a Vietnamese immigrant, bilingual cultural broker, and a strong advocate for communication rights for autistic adults and people with disabilities. Oanh’s advocacy began through her lived experience as the mother of a young adult daughter with a genetic disorder and autism who communicates using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Going through the education and support systems, Oanh saw that language barriers, cultural stigma, and lack of awareness about AAC can make it really hard for families and autistic individuals, especially in immigrant communities, to get the help they need. She is the founder of the Circle of Vietnamese Parents, a nonprofit that helps Vietnamese-speaking families with kids and young adults with disabilities by offering bilingual cultural training, emotional support from other parents, and social events to help build community. Recently, Oanh has collaborated with faculty from The Pennsylvania State University and Vanderbilt University to investigate the barriers Vietnamese families face in accessing AAC services and to develop a culturally responsive curriculum for future speech-language pathologists specializing in AAC. Oanh brings a unique perspective on communication rights, cultural brokering and making sure that AAC users are heard, respected, and fully included.
Mary Giunta
M.A. CCC-SLP
AAC Consultant
EdTech Solutions, INC
Mary Giunta, a Boston University graduate with a master's from Northwestern, brings over three decades of experience in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) across a wide range of settings — including hospitals, schools, adult day programs, outpatient clinics, and early intervention programs. Since 2008, she has worked as an AAC Consultant for 40+ school districts throughout the Boston area, providing evaluations, professional development, specialized training, hands-on coaching, and effective implementation strategies. Mary also presents nationally on AAC topics and remains committed to continuous growth in service of AAC users and the educational teams who support them.
Michael Tarr
MD FACEP
Merrimack Health Associate Director Lawrence Hospital Emergency Center
Jacobi/Montefiore/Einstein Emergency Medicine Residency Graduate
NYCHHC Jacobi HASP Fellow 2020-2022
Michael Tarr became involved with the disabled community through his sister, Kaitlyn, by volunteering with her at a young age. Accompanying her to physical therapy and occupational therapy led him to Quinnipiac University where he pursued a degree in physical therapy but ultimately transitioned to pre-medical studies and graduated in 2012. While attending New York Medical College, Michael started the school's first chapter of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry and remains a professional member to this day.
During his residency at Jacobi and Montefiore hospitals, Michael continued to advocate for the IDD community by giving lectures to residents and Einstein School of Medicine students on how to care for patients with intellectual disabilities. Michael currently works at Merrimack Health Lawrence Hospital as Associate Director of the Emergency Department. He continues to advocate for the IDD community through various projects.
