David E. Yoder

Dr. David E. Yoder, Ph.D., was a leading figure in speech-language pathology and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), best known for his work in literacy and disability studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served as Professor and Chair Emeritus of the Department of Allied Health Sciences in the UNC School of Medicine and as Director Emeritus of the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, where his leadership helped shape research and practice in literacy for individuals with significant disabilities.

Yoder earned a B.S. in Speech Communication from Goshen College, an M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from Northwestern University, and a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Kansas. Over more than four decades, he became regarded as a “guiding light” in AAC, influencing how professionals support communication and literacy for people with complex needs. His contributions to the field are reflected in his role as foreword author of Comprehensive Literacy for All: Teaching Students with Significant Disabilities to Read and Write, and in collaborative work such as the Literacy Bill of Rights developed with colleagues at the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies.