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Communication Boards in Your Community: How These Low-Tech, High-Visibility Tools Are a Powerful Force for Awareness and Connection

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ASHA Shares Information for October’s AAC Awareness Month

ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — For this year’s AAC Awareness Month (October), the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is spotlighting the importance of communication boards in public spaces.

Communication boards can help people of all ages share their wants, needs, and feelings in public areas.

Communication boards—one example of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)—typically are large displays that include pictures of a dozen or more common vocabulary words that people might use in a public space such as a library or park. Such words might include slide, go, hi, play, bathroom, or book. They are useful for people of all ages who have limited or unreliable speech—these boards allow them to communicate with others and vice versa.

The theme for this year’s AAC Awareness Month is AAC in Everyday Life: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond. The presence of communication boards is one of the more visible ways that people may experience AAC in their communities. In the United States, more than 2 million people use AAC to communicate. AAC takes many forms—from gestures and facial expressions, to picture- or text-based boards, to high-tech tools like tablets and speech-generating devices.

What is the benefit of putting large communication boards in public spaces?
Communication boards can help people of all ages share their wants, needs, and feelings in public areas. Although many people who use AAC as their primary means of communication may have individual communication boards or other personal AAC systems, large public communication boards can help to improve awareness of AAC in the greater community—and help everyone practice using it.

You may see portable communication boards in public as well—in locations like a stadium or a concert hall. These portable boards can serve as a temporary backup if the person’s primary AAC device is charging or if the AAC user needs faster access to vocabulary related to that particular place.

Anyone can benefit from having access to a communication board in public—even if they don’t have a communication or other disorder that affects their speech. For example, young children who are still learning to speak can often recognize and point to pictures before they can verbalize what they want. An adult who loses their voice temporarily can impart an urgent need in public if a board is available.

Why are these boards becoming more common?

The increasing presence of communication boards in public spaces reflects a growing need for the public to learn about AAC, which is commonly used by individuals who have a variety of conditions including but not limited to

apraxia of speech,aphasia,autism,cerebral palsy,developmental delays, andrare genetic conditions.

It also reflects an increasing desire for communities to be more inclusive to all populations.

“Public communication boards can help bridge gaps in understanding between people who have communication challenges and others in their communities,” says ASHA 2026 President Linda I. Rosa-Lugo, EdD, CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow. “Communication is a two-way street, and we all bear responsibility for doing our part to have successful interactions.”

What are some tips for using a communication board?
If you’re interacting with someone who wants to use a communication board, use these strategies to help improve communication success:

Point as you speak. When you say a word that’s on the board, point to it—this connects pictures to spoken words.Give the person plenty of time. Allow extra time for your communication partner to look at the board—and even more time for them to choose a word.Keep at it. Stay consistent, especially when the other person uses the board. Communication with AAC takes time—and that’s OK!Position yourself well. Stand to the side of the board so both people can see the full display and have access to all the options. If you have a phone, take a picture of the board to use as you move around the building or playground.Offer choices if needed. Ask, “Are you thinking about this?” and point to words, one by one, watching for their response.

To learn more about AAC and communication disorders, visit www.helpingyoucommunicate.org.

About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 247,000 members, certificate holders, and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology assistants; and students. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment, including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) identify, assess, and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders. www.asha.org

CONTACT:
Francine Pierson
301-296-8715
fpierson@asha.org 

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SOURCE American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

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LoanBud Launches LoanBud Acquire™ to Expand Financing for Main Street Business Acquisitions

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New non-SBA program offers $100,000 to $350,000 in financing for qualified buyers acquiring established small businesses.

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LoanBud today announced the launch of LoanBud Acquire™, a new non-SBA business acquisition financing program offering $100,000 to $350,000 in financing for qualified buyers acquiring established, cash-flowing small businesses.

LoanBud created the program around a problem it sees in the market every day: smaller business acquisitions can be disproportionately difficult to finance. Many lenders prioritize larger credits, while smaller transactions may not fit every SBA or conventional lending program. That can leave qualified buyers and viable businesses with fewer financing paths, even when the underlying transaction makes sense.

“A $250,000 acquisition matters just as much to the buyer, the seller and the employees as a multimillion-dollar transaction,” said Burke Purcell, Founder and CEO of LoanBud. “But smaller acquisitions can be harder to finance because many lenders tend to prioritize larger transactions. LoanBud Acquire™ gives qualified buyers another path to ownership and helps more good Main Street businesses continue under a new owner.”

LoanBud Acquire™ complements LoanBud’s existing SBA business acquisition financing capabilities. By adding a non-SBA option, LoanBud can evaluate an acquisition across multiple potential financing paths rather than trying to fit every transaction into a single program.

That flexibility can be especially important in a business sale, where financing uncertainty creates friction for the buyer, seller and broker. Earlier clarity on whether a transaction has a viable financing path can help all parties move forward with greater confidence.

LoanBud Acquire™ program highlights include:

$100,000 to $350,000 in financingMinimum 15% buyer equity contributionDesigned for acquisitions of established, cash-flowing businessesNo real estate collateral requirementFinancing available for eligible business purchase costs and approved transaction expensesTargeted closing timeline of less than 30 days for qualified transactions

“We do not believe every acquisition should be forced into one financing box,” Purcell said. “Our job is to look at the transaction, identify the most realistic financing path and help the buyer, seller and broker get to a clear answer faster. LoanBud Acquire™ gives us another way to do that for smaller Main Street transactions.”

LoanBud Acquire™ is available now. Qualified buyers and business brokers can learn more at LoanBud.com or apply at apply.loanbud.com.

About LoanBud

LoanBud helps existing business owners access growth capital and helps entrepreneurs finance business acquisitions. By combining technology, experienced lending professionals and a nationwide network of lending partners, LoanBud provides access to SBA and conventional financing for acquisitions, growth, real estate, debt refinancing and working capital. LoanBud is focused on making small business financing faster, clearer and easier to navigate.

For more information, visit LoanBud.com.

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SOURCE LoanBud

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McKool Smith Named 2026 IP “Litigation Department of the Year” by Texas Lawyer

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DALLAS, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — McKool Smith has been named Intellectual Property “Litigation Department of the Year” at the 2026 Texas Legal Awards, presented by Texas Lawyer. The Texas Legal Awards honor the attorneys and law firms making a lasting impact on the Texas legal landscape, from groundbreaking case wins to innovative legal strategies. Winners were celebrated at the awards ceremony on September 30 in Dallas.

The firm recognition reflects a track record of success in high-stakes IP disputes. In the Eastern District of Texas, Austin Principal Steve Pollinger, as lead counsel, along with Marshall Principal Jennifer Truelove, won a $192 million verdict for Mojo Mobility against Samsung on wireless charging patents that was held in full at final judgment. Jennifer also served as co-lead trial counsel on a willful infringement verdict for Pictiva Displays against Samsung on OLED display patents. At the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), the firm’s campaign for Nokia against Hisense ended in a global license resolving the dispute in every jurisdiction.

The department’s recent results also include a stretch of significant trial wins for Dallas Principal Warren Lipschitz, a finalist for Intellectual Property Attorney of the Year. In August 2026, he co-led a team in securing a complete defense verdict for AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Ericsson and Nokia in a consolidated 5G patent trial in the Eastern District of Texas, defeating $436 million in claimed damages. The jury found no infringement, invalidated all nine asserted claims, and held that the plaintiffs had breached their own FRAND obligations. That verdict followed back-to-back 2025 defense wins Warren co-led against Daingean Technologies, also in the Eastern District, cutting a $245 million demand against T-Mobile to $2 million and then winning a verdict of no infringement for AT&T. On the plaintiff side, Warren secured an ITC Initial Determination for Nokia that Amazon infringed five of seven asserted patents, and Nokia reached a settlement with Amazon shortly thereafter.

With more than 130 trial lawyers across offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Marshall, New York, and Washington, D.C., McKool Smith has established a reputation as one of America’s leading trial firms. The firm has secured 18 nine-figure jury verdicts and 16 eight-figure jury verdicts, obtaining more VerdictSearch and The National Law Journal “Top 100 Verdicts” than any other law firm. McKool Smith represents clients in complex commercial litigation, intellectual property, bankruptcy, and white-collar defense matters.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mckool-smith-named-2026-ip-litigation-department-of-the-year-by-texas-lawyer-302896389.html

SOURCE McKool Smith

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Custom Home Builder Selection in Lexington SC Guidance Outlined in HelloNation Featuring Home Building Expert Jennifer L. Gerben Nettles

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The article explains how early consultation with a builder can help evaluate land suitability, site conditions, and construction costs before purchasing property.

LEXINGTON, S.C., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Do prospective homeowners need to own land before hiring a custom home builder in Lexington, South Carolina? HelloNation addresses that question in a HelloNation article that explores how early collaboration with a builder can help guide land selection and project planning.

The HelloNation article explains that many buyers assume they must purchase land before contacting a custom home builder Lexington SC professional. In practice, involving a builder earlier in the process can offer important advantages. Builders can help assess potential properties and identify factors that may influence construction feasibility, costs, and design options before a purchase is finalized.

One of the first considerations discussed in the article is the building potential of the land itself. Not all lots offer the same conditions for residential construction. Soil composition, grading, and topography can significantly affect how easily a home can be built. The article notes that a lot that appears ideal at first glance may require extensive excavation, retaining walls, or drainage work, all of which can increase project costs.

Evaluating site conditions before purchasing land can help homeowners avoid unexpected challenges later in the building process. According to the article, builders can conduct early assessments to determine whether the lot can accommodate the desired home design. Home Building Experts explain that this evaluation helps identify potential construction limitations and provides a clearer picture of the work required to prepare the site.

Utility access is another major factor that may influence whether a lot is suitable for a custom home Lexington SC project. The article describes how water, sewer, electricity, and internet service are not always readily available on undeveloped parcels of land. Connecting a property to these utilities may involve additional infrastructure work, which can increase both cost and project timelines. Builders who understand local infrastructure can help estimate the feasibility and expense of utility installation before a buyer commits to purchasing a property.

Lot shape and size can also affect design possibilities and construction costs. The HelloNation article explains that narrow or irregularly shaped parcels may limit the placement and layout of a home. Builders can provide guidance on how to adapt architectural plans to fit the property while still meeting the homeowner’s functional and aesthetic goals. This type of planning ensures that the home design works within the constraints of the lot.

Budget planning is another reason the article recommends early consultation with a custom home builder Lexington SC professional. Builders can provide preliminary construction estimates that account for site preparation, grading, permits, and other development requirements tied to a specific lot. This information helps prospective homeowners determine whether a property aligns with their financial plans before making a purchase.

The article also discusses how early collaboration can streamline the permitting and planning process. Builders with experience in Lexington understand local zoning regulations, setback requirements, and building codes that influence how a home can be placed on a lot. Home Building Experts explain that reviewing these regulations early can prevent costly redesigns or delays later in the project.

Working with a builder during the land selection stage also allows homeowners to compare multiple properties more effectively. By reviewing site conditions, infrastructure access, and potential construction challenges, buyers can make more informed decisions about which lot best supports their vision for a custom home.

The HelloNation article emphasizes that purchasing land first is not always required when planning a custom build. Instead, involving a builder early in the process can create a smoother path from property selection to construction. Evaluating grading requirements, infrastructure availability, and lot suitability ahead of time helps homeowners avoid surprises and better align their plans with realistic construction expectations.

Do You Need Land Before Hiring a Custom Home Builder? features insights from Jennifer L. Gerben Nettles, Home Building Expert of Lexington, South Carolina, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative “edvertising” approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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SOURCE HelloNation

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