Friday Announcements – 11 April 2025
1. Spoken AAC Premium is 50% Off
2. Introducing the Leeds Local Offer (SEND)
3. STARS Autism Training Workshops
4. Invitation to Day Centre Open Day
News from Communication Matters
5. Belfast AAC Information Day – Book Now
6. Communication Matters International AAC Conference 2025 – Call for Papers – 5 Days to Go!
7. CM2025 International AAC Conference – Registration Now Open
8. CM Office Closed Bank Holidays
9. About Friday Announcements
1. Spoken AAC Premium is 50% Off
From Evan Lauer, Spoken Inc:
Spoken – Tap to Talk AAC is currently offering 50% off all premium options in celebration of Autism Acceptance Month. The promotion is available in-app or on Spoken’s official website and will last throughout all of April. Spoken can be downloaded on Google Play or the Apple App Store.
2. Introducing the Leeds Local Offer (SEND)
From Kayleigh Thurlow, Leeds City Council:
The Leeds Local Offer is where children and young people up to 25 years old with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), their parents and carers can find information, advice and guidance about support, services and activities that are available to those living in Leeds.
We offer a monthly information drop in, an information booklet introducing key SEND services and also host Leeds Local Offer Live – an annual marketplace event with over 50 services.
For more information about the Leeds Local Offer email [email protected] or take a look at our video https://youtu.be/hsjhEwwpHtA.
3. STARS Autism Training Workshops
From the STARS team, Leeds:
The STARS (Specialist Training in Autism and Raising Standards) Team is the NAS Accredited Autism Outreach and Advisory Service for Leeds. We are commissioned by the Autism Education Trust (AET) to deliver AET training to schools and early years settings across Yorkshire and Humberside.
STARS workshops aim to provide information for parents to support their autistic child at home. Professionals should access these sessions and then use the slides and resources to deliver the training to their setting’s parents.
Courses include:
- Virtual AET early years developing good autism practice (Tier 2): 15th and 22nd May 09:00 – 13:00. (Training delivered via Microsoft Teams).
- Using Play Bricks to Support Social Inclusion: 14th May 09:15 – 11:00. Venue: Technorth, Leeds LS7 3NB.
Book your place by emailing [email protected] with your name, email and details of the training you would like to attend.
4. Invitation to Day Centre Open Day
From N. Linnel and V. Spick, Independence with Friends Ltd:
Independence with Friends is an inclusive and supportive day centre based at The Priory, Little Billing, Northampton. We provide a warm, engaging environment for adults with disabilities to learn, grow, and connect with others in a way that’s both meaningful and enjoyable.
We are delighted to invite you to our upcoming Open Day.
Our centre offers a variety of engaging programmes and facilities, including:
- Games Room
- Warhammer model building, painting, and gaming
- Arts & crafts, music, and cooking sessions
- Dance and exercise classes
- Social groups and confidence-building workshops
- Our specially developed Steps to Independence Programme focusing on life skills, personal growth, and community engagement
- And much more
Open Day Details:
Date: 26/04/2025 Time: 12:00-16:00 Location: The Priory, Orchard Hill, Little Billing, NN3 9AG
If you or someone from your organisation would like to attend, please let us know. We’d be delighted to show you around, answer any questions, and discuss how our services could complement the support you already provide.
For further information, please contact us directly at [email protected].
5. Belfast AAC Information Day – Book Now
This AAC Information Day is a product demonstration day supported and presented by our Commercial Members from the UK’s leading suppliers of communication aids, equipment, software and symbol systems.
The day consists of five sessions which provide information and offer up-to-date knowledge on the range of AAC products available in the UK. There will also be an exhibition period where you can try out products.
Date: Thursday 12 June 2025
Venue: Girdwood Community Hub, 10 Girdwood Avenue, Belfast, Antrim, BT14 6E
Cost: FREE to attend! Lunch & refreshments are provided
To find out which suppliers are attending, please visit our website by clicking on the links below:
Registration now open!
6. Communication Matters International AAC Conference 2025 – Call for Papers – 5 Days to Go!
You are invited to contribute to the Communication Matters International AAC Conference 2025 (8-9 September, University of Leeds).
Presentations should be relevant to the field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and where possible promote the positive role of AAC in the empowerment of the people who use it. This year’s theme for conference is ‘Identity’. We welcome abstract submissions covering any of the areas this theme encompasses. Topics to cover could include vocabulary, gender, cultural influences, person centred service delivery, self-advocacy, AI, neurodiversity or anything that links AAC to a user’s identity. We are open to presentations from all in the AAC community including professionals and supporters and we especially encourage contributions from AAC users and family members.
We have based our topic areas for the presentations on the three aspects of evidence-based practice which represent improved outcomes for all. These aspects are:
- Best Research Evidence: Papers submitted under this heading are carried out by independent organisations such as education, social or health services and universities. Authors should pay particular attention to describing the methodology and results of the study.
- Clinical and Professional Service Delivery: Papers submitted under this heading may include service development, audit or implementation projects, as well as practice reports. Typically, these papers will be presented by those providing a service for AAC users.
- Personal Stories and Case Studies: Papers submitted under this heading would include personal experience stories, single case studies and examples of AAC in the wider community.
Papers can be submitted as either a Platform presentation (45-minutes), Workshop presentation (45-minutes), a Poster, or a Lightning Talk (6.25 minutes or 12.5 minutes for AAC users).
We are using an online submission programme called Aventri. You will be asked to create an account, login and submit a simple form with a title and an abstract (a short summary) about your talk (maximum 300 words).
The deadline for submissions is in just 5 days on 16th April 2025. Further information can be found on our website: https://eu.eventscloud.com/website/15994/callforpapers/.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the opportunity, please email [email protected].
7. CM2025 International AAC Conference – Registration Now Open
Registration is now open, but we wanted to highlight some exciting changes and additions taking place this year.
One notable change is the conference being shortened to two days. We will open the main conference on Monday 8th September at 9AM and close at 4PM Tuesday the 9th. While this means a slightly shorter conference than previous years, we have worked hard to consolidate the programme to offer better value with events on either side. These include:
- Pre-Conference Relaxed Exhibition: on the afternoon of 7th September, we will be providing a time for conference delegates and the community who need a quieter and less busy space to meet with suppliers. This is a free optional event for those who wish to add it to their delegate package. Tickets will also be available to people not attending conference.
- AAC Awards: on the evening of 8th September, we will be hosting our biennial event celebrating all forms of communication, the people who use AAC, the professionals, families and suppliers that support them. Being held at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, we are certain the awards, dinner and dancing will prove to be a fun and exciting night for all! This event is included in the full delegate registration price. It can be added to one-day and exhibition-only delegates at an additional price. Tickets will also be available to people not attending conference.
- Post-Conference Research Study Day: this additional day on 10th September is open to conference delegates and others who are interested in research focused strands delivered by an international cohort of researchers and academics. This event can be added to all delegate packages at an additional price. Tickets will also be available to people not attending conference.
Changes to accommodation
In another effort to offer choice and value, there are now options available for conference delegates to choose accommodation. When going through the registration process you can add on-campus accommodation at Storm Jameson, which will be added to the full conference delegate rate. You can also choose to opt-out and stay elsewhere. We have teamed up with Conference Leeds to offer delegates preferential rates at hotels within Leeds for your convenience.
Registration is now open!
Book early to take advantage of the Early Bird discount which expires on 11th July.
See prices and book online here.
8. CM Office Closed Bank Holidays
The Communication Matters Office will be closed on the Bank Holidays on Friday 18 April and Monday 21 April. This means there will be no Friday Announcements next week.
Please email [email protected] with any enquiries and we will get back to you as soon as possible on re-opening. Thank you for your understanding.
9. About Friday Announcements
These ‘Friday Announcements’ comprise weekly product updates, upcoming courses, and supplier news. Please email [email protected] with the item you want to be included by Thursday at 5pm – no more than 200 words (one entry per organisation per week) – and include contact email and/or link so readers can find out further information (no file attachments please).
