Welcome!Communication Matters is a UK national charitable organisation of members concerned with the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) needs of people with complex communication needs. Communication Matters is also known as ISAAC (UK) - the UK Chapter of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC). Communication Matters is a core member of the Communications Forum, and has been invited to be a member of the Communication Consortium, the advisory body of the Communication Trust.
What’s Hot at Communication Matters?
More about Communication Matters
- What is Communication Matters and what do we do?
- Publications you can order
- Applying for membership & ordering journals
- CM2010 National Symposium
- CM Commercial Members
- Links & Resources (links to AAC Suppliers, AAC centres, organisations, funding sources, online forums and more)
- Guest Book
- CM BULLETIN BOARD
What is Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)?
AAC includes the use of eye pointing, gesture, signing, symbols, word boards, or a speech output device. Everyone uses AAC techniques from time to time, but some people depend on them all the time. Communication Matters recognises that augmenting communication involves speech and writing; in some cases, it also involves technology relating to teaching and learning, mobility, environmental control and employment. You can find out more about AAC and related topics in our
Focus on... series:
Corporate sponsors of Communication Matters (publications & facilities):  
 
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| COMMUNICATION MATTERS ROAD SHOWS 2010
*NEW* Worcester 12 May; Birmingham 24 May; Leeds 8 June; Oxford 10 June; *NEW* Basildon 24 June (and others to be confirmed)
Book a place on one of our Road Shows and find out all about the latest range of communication aids and equipment from the UK’s leading suppliers of AAC products and services.
More about the Road Shows & make an online booking | Latest news about:
COMMUNICATION MATTERS - RESEARCH MATTERS:
An AAC Evidence Base
Communication Matters, in collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University, Sheffield University and Barnsley Hospital, has been awarded £467,751 from the BIG Lottery Fund Research Programme to conduct ground-breaking AAC research.
- Find out more about this exciting development | VISIT COMMUNICATION MATTERS AT NAIDEX 2010
20-22 April at the NEC, Birmingham
Communication Matters will be exhibiting at Naidex this year, in a brand new area called 'The Communication Village' designed to showcase the latest communication aids and assistive technology. Communication Matters will be also be presenting at the Kidequip seminars on each of the three days. Avoid the queues by registering online using priority code E294.
- Find out more about Naidex
- Priority Online Registration Form | APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR SMALL GRANTS
A number of small grants are available for projects that further the aims of Communication Matters. Closing dates for applications: 1 March 2010 & 30 June 2010.
- How to apply for a Small Grant | CALL FOR PAPERS
Communication Matters
CM2010 National Symposium
26-28 September 2010, Leicester
Abstracts are invited for the Communication Matters CM2010 National Symposium. Submission guidelines and an Abstract Submission Form are now available for downloading or viewing. Closing date for submissions: 6 April 2010
- How to submit an abstract
- More about the Symposium
- Download CM2010 registration form | ASSOCIATE MEMBER’S WEBSITE AREA
Exclusive Information for Current Members of Communication Matters
Members of Communication Matters are invited to visit the members’ password protected area for the latest news about the work of Communication Matters.
- Go to Associate Members’ Area
If you are a member and require the password, email: admin@communicationmatters.org.uk | THE COMMUNICATION MATTERS BOOKSHOP IS NOW OPEN!
Communication Matters has put together a great list of books related to AAC and Assistive Technology - these can be ordered from our new bookshop (powered by Amazon).
- Go to the bookshop | ISAAC 2010 CONFERENCE
24-29 July, Barcelona
Book your place on the 14th ISAAC International Conference. This year’s theme is ‘Communicating Worlds’. The conference aims to bring together all professionals, users and families who use and promote Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) worldwide.
- More about ISAAC 2010 | West Midlands AAC Care Pathway Training Courses
21 & 29 April, 13 May & 16 June 2010, Birmingham
Access to Communication and Technology in Birmingham is offering a series of training courses on its AAC Care Pathway.
- More information about the courses | Sudha Kaul Receives India’s Highest Civilian Award
Congratulations to Sudha Kaul, past President of ISAAC, for receiving the prestigious Padma Shri national award from the President of India for her distinguished service to AAC.
- Sudha Kaul comments on the award | Job Vacancies at Liberator:
Regional Consultants
Liberator has vacancies for two Regional Consultants to cover Northern England and London/South East respectively.
- More about these vacancies | New Assistive Technology Supplier:
Ability Word Ltd
David Weatherburn has set up Ability World Ltd to offer assistive technology for people with disabilities, elderly people and those who require some extra help with daily living. New products available include Touchless Tech switches and the Frenchay Alphabet Board.
- More at www.ability-world.com | New AAC Service: TalkSense
Tony Jones has opened TalkSense, a new business and website offering AAC training, individual communication solutions, assessment and tuition, supply cover, communication audit, and more.
- Visit www.TalkSense.weebly.com | Communication Champion Announced
The Children’s Secretary, Ed Balls, announced the appointment of Jean Gross as England’s first Communication Champion for Children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs.
The appointment of a Communication Champion was a recommendation in the 2008 Bercow Report on services for children with speech, language and communication needs, and forms part of the government’s Better Communication Action Plan developed in response to the Bercow review.
- More about the appointment | National AAC Coordinator for England Announced
Anna Reeves has been appointed as the National AAC Coordinator for England. Based part-time at Becta, she will be working closely with the Communication Champion and will ensure that AAC provision and support is addressed in the implementation of the ‘Better Communication Action Plan’. | RCSLT Honours for Chair of 1Voice
Congratulations to Katie Clarke for being awarded the prestigious Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. Katie is the co-founder and Chair of '1 Voice - Communicating Together', a national charity supporting children and families using AAC.
The award acknowledges and honours non- and overseas SLTs who have contributed outstanding services to speech and language therapy and for the benefit of those with communication disability.
- More about 1Voice | Big Challenge ‘09 Award Winner
Congratulations to Terry Gibson and her son Michael Reed for winning a £4,000 grant from Big Challenge '09 for a project which aims to bring communication to people who don't have any AAC, raising awareness, and increasing language, literacy and multimedia skills for participants and audience. | Tobii Technology in the UK
Tobii Technology is strengthening its position in the UK with the hiring of a sales manager and sales representative who will support the resellers of Tobii’s AAC products in the UK, Inclusive Technology, SmartBox and QED. For more information or to arrange a demonstration, contact Hector Minto (hector.minto@tobii.com) or Rob Gregory (rob.gregory@tobii.com).
- More details at www.tobii.com | PROXTALKER.COM LAUNCHES UK DIVISION
A new UK division of ProxTalker.com has been launched to market its products, including the Logan ProxTalker communication aid, in the UK and across Europe.
- Read the press release | WEBSITE TO SHARE BOARDMAKER RESOURCES
Mayer-Johnson has launched a new website for sharing BoardMaker resources...
- Go to www.AdaptedLearning.com | UK GOVERNMENT SIGNS UP TO UN CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Article 21 of the Convention - Freedom of expression and opinion, and access to information - states that Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that persons with disabilities can exercise the right to freedom of expression and opinion, including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas on an equal basis with others and through all forms of communication of their choice. The UK is one of the first countries to sign up to the Convention.
More about the Convention & Article 21 | ICES (Integrating Community Equipment Services)
Click on the link below to get an update on what’s going on at ICES:
Find out more about ICES |
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