AAC Awards

Calling all Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) users, their families and friends, teachers, teaching assistants, therapists, clinical scientists, suppliers of AAC products and anyone interested in supporting the world of AAC… Come and join us for an evening of celebration and recognition at our AAC Awards evening.

We are looking forward to welcoming you to the prestigious New Dock Hall at The Royal Armouries in Leeds for the 2025 AAC Awards on Monday 8th September. This year we are excited that this special night will coincide with the Communication Matters International AAC Conference.  This special evening features awards, dinner, entertainment, and dancing!

AAC Awards 2025 – Tickets Sales

AAC Awards tickets are included in the price of the 2 Day Registration and Subsidised Places categories for the Communication Matters International AAC Conference. Those attending conference on another rate can add the awards during the conference registration process found here.

*Please note there is a smart dress code for the evening*

Tickets sales for the general public (those not attending conference) are on sale now! Please book below. 

Timeline

• Drinks Reception 19.00
• Dinner & Awards Presentations 19.30
• Dancing 21.30
• Departure 23.00

AAC Awards 2025 – Shortlist Announced!

Thank you to those who made a nomination for the Communication Matters AAC Awards 2025. We were completely overwhelmed with the number and quality of entries this year and the Judging Panel deliberated for many hours to reach their decisions. We are delighted to reveal the shortlisted nominees below. We hope you will join us for this special evening of celebration which will be taking place on Monday 8th of September when we will be announcing the winners.

• Setting of the Year Award 
  An award for a setting, school, team or organisation, that has promoted AAC in a particularly creative or inclusive way.
  • Abbey Hill Academy and Sixth Form College
  • Capability Scotland
  • Henshaws College SLT Department
  • Linwood School

This award will be decided by a popular vote – please vote for your winner!

• Access Award in memory of Samantha Hunnisett
  An award for an individual or team, whose innovative work has broken down barriers to access assessment or the use of AAC or Electronic Assistive Technology (EAT). This award is in memory of Samantha Hunnisett, who was passionate about ensuring an equity of opportunity in accessing EAT.
  • Echo by Ace Centre Research & Innovation Team
  • Kellie Arguelles
  • Mike Hazlewood
• Arts Award in memory of Alan Martin
  An award presented to a person, project or organisation who uses AAC (or supports people who do) and who have made a significant contribution to the arts. This award is dedicated to the memory of Alan Martin, who championed the arts and creative inclusion through his work as a dancer, musician and comedian.
  • Cathy Soreny and the Stories Beyond Words Collective
  • Dave The Shouting Mute
  • Gavin Clifton
  • Sam Judd
• Innovation Award in memory of Harchie Sagoo
  An award given to a particular product, resource or supplier that has demonstrated “outside the box” thinking. This award is dedicated to the memory of Harchie Sagoo, an exceptional young man with a big smile and passion for innovation and pushing boundaries.
  • David Niemeijer
  • Linas Jonika
  • Robert Causemann
• Make a Difference Award in memory of Anthony Hewson
  Awarded to someone who has made a difference – a parent, carer, teacher, teaching/learning assistant or therapist who has supported an AAC user; a Trustee who has made a difference at CM… the possibilities are endless. This award is dedicated to the memory Anthony Hewson, a supporter who made a difference in so many ways and showed exceptional awareness of the needs of disabled people.
  • Abdi Omar
  • Janice Murray
  • Jonathan Bryan
  • Laura Brown
• Research Award
  An award given to a researcher, a published paper or project which has furthered the evidence base around AAC.
  • Assistive Technology Team University of Dundee
  • Bronwyn Hemsley
  • Katherine Broomfield
• Rising Star Award
  A newcomer (AAC user, student, professional, academic, personal assistant, family member) to the world of AAC who has made an impact over the past two years.
  • Fraser Somerville
  • Laura Brown
  • Melanie Boyle
  • Owen McGirr
• Lifetime Achievement Award in memory of Jamie Munro
  Awarded by the Communication Matters Board of Trustees to an inspiring individual, whose work has had an impact across the entire field of AAC. This award is dedicated to the memory of Jamie Munro, who inspired all he worked with during his career as an AAC supplier and developer.
  • The deserving winner of this special award will be revealed on the night!