Friday Announcements – 30 May 2025
1. New in Grid: AI Fix Tool and ElevenLabs Voices
2. Assistive Technology & ASN Teacher (Secondary) – Vacancy
3. Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist – Vacancy
News from Communication Matters
4. AAC Awards 2025 – 2 Weeks Left to Nominate!
5. Belfast AAC Information Day – Book Now
6. CM2025 International AAC Conference – Register Now
7. About Friday Announcements
1. New in Grid: AI Fix Tool and ElevenLabs Voices
From Hannah Craven, Smartbox Assistive Technology Ltd:
We want Grid to empower individuals to communicate and connect in ways that feel uniquely their own. By integrating new AI features into our software, we are working to make conversations faster and more seamless, helping users express themselves in a way that truly reflects who they are.
Learn more on our blog: https://thinksmartbox.com/news/new-fix-tool-and-elevenlabs-voice-integration/
2. Assistive Technology & ASN Teacher (Secondary) – Vacancy
From Claire Harrison, CALL Scotland:
CALL Scotland are recruiting for an Assistive Technology & ASN Teacher (Secondary) to join the team based at the University of Edinburgh.
This post is for a senior member of staff within the long-established CALL Scotland team. You will be responsible for:
- providing assistive technology assessment and support to a caseload of individual learners
- leading CALL’s work around digital assessment arrangements with SQA
- developing and delivering components of CALL’s Professional Learning
- creating information resources
- responding to requests for assistance online and by telephone
- managing delivery of CALL services to local authorities
- creating learning resources and informational materials
- contributing to strategic planning to meet CALL, University and Scottish Government objectives.
This post is full-time (35 hours per week); however, we are open to considering part-time or flexible working patterns. We are looking to appoint on an open-ended contract, but a fixed term secondment would also be considered. The post requires travel around Scotland. Working from home is possible on occasion but you will need to work with the CALL team in Edinburgh and campus working will be involved.
Full details can be found here.
Applications are open until Tuesday 3rd June.
3. Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist – Vacancy
From Grainne Clancy, Side by Side Special School:
Side by Side Special School is an independent, special needs day provision based in Hackney, North London, for pupils aged 2 – 19.
A position has become available for an experienced and dedicated Speech and Language Therapist (Band 6/7), to join our multi-disciplinary team. Our new purpose-built school offers a wonderful work environment for this exciting position. Experience in working with early years and complex needs caseload is highly desirable. Dysphagia experience and AAC support, as part of your therapeutic input is desirable. You will have a proven track record in working with children with special needs. You will be an active member of our multi-professional team, receive clinical supervision and have access to training opportunities.
Full time/Part-time: 3-4 Days. Start date: September 2025. Application Deadline: 12th June 2025
For further information or to request an application pack, call Mrs Schiffer on 07974 573849 or email [email protected]
Work with Us | Careers at Side by Side School
4. AAC Awards 2025 – 2 Weeks Left to Nominate!
Nominations for the AAC Awards 2025 are open until midnight on Friday 13th June. Follow the link below to fill in a form to nominate an AAC user, a family member or carer, professional or team, project or product that has supported you or helped to achieve the unachievable! Self-nominations are permitted and encouraged but all must be accompanied by a statement of support for the person, organisation, project or product you are nominating which can be given in a written or alternative format.
The AAC Awards are moving to the CM International AAC Conference! Though they are included in the price of the two-day conference registration or can be added onto one-day or exhibition-only attendee registrations, they are open for all to join. Not coming to conference this year? You will be at conference, but you would like family, friends or colleagues to join in the Awards fun? No problem! Tickets for those who want to attend the Awards only are now on sale.
Submit a nomination by 13th June and buy tickets here: https://www.communicationmatters.org.uk/conference/awards/
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:
Book your place now!
6. CM2025 International AAC Conference – Register Now
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.
7. 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).
