"As a Vietnamese-American speech therapist who stutters and works primarily with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) users, I understand the structural issues around AAC, such as professional gaps and technologies that do not address the needs of those from diverse backgrounds.
In 2023, I partnered with Michael Jamieson, a talented developer and former nurse, to create Flexspeak, a hybrid text-symbol based AAC system. Unlike traditional AAC solutions that cater to clinicians and institutions, we aim to prioritize the needs of users, such as efficiency using AI, user-centric design, and multilingual support.
It's not just an app—it's a mission to break barriers and champion inclusion. We're not perfect and we can't promise everything under the sun, but we always strive to serve AAC users first."
- Alan Vu, M.A., CCC-SLP
Alan (he/him) is a neurodivergent speech therapist who stutters and has ADHD. He served as the Marketing Strategist for the National Stuttering Association (NSA), a nonprofit for people who stutter, and founder of Here & Now Supply, an e-commerce startup acquired in 2023. Alan leverages his unique skill set to raise awareness on communication disabilities and create a user-centric AAC solution.
Michael (he/him) is a Filipino-American developer who previously worked as a nurse. Specializing in cross-platform applications, Michael built the infrastructure that powers Flexspeak and leads its ongoing development efforts.
Harlow (they/them) is a multiply disabled and neurodivergent AAC and mobility aid user. They have been instrumental in shaping the direction of Flexspeak, helping us continually refine our features and functionalities to better serve the AAC community.
Pheonix (they/them) is a non-speaking, autistic college student majoring in art and full-time AAC user. With their unique perspective, Pheonix brings immense value to our development in creating a solution that addresses gaps in the AAC market. Also pictured is Pheonix’s favorite rooster, Jasper, whose family tree they love to “nerd out about."
Aydan (she/her) is a neurodivergent UX/UI design advisor with ADHD and co-founder of Hound, a venture-backed HR platform for vet clinics. She boasts a portfolio of top-tier brands like Redbull, L'Oreal, Nestle, and Nat Geo. She excels beyond crafting visually appealing interfaces; she employs innovative practices to deeply understand and address the needs of users. Aydan guides us through best practices in user research and usability testing.
Anand (he/him) is a person who stutters and an investor at VC firms that have invested in health tech and Y Combinator startups. He now provides financial advisory services to Flexspeak, which includes fundraising strategy, equity-related matters, and other financial aspects.