Friday Announcements – 25 April 2025
1. Our 50% App Sale is Now On!
2. Two Therapy Box WSIS 2025 Nominations!
3. Pretorian Technologies PRESENTS! AAC/Communicators
4. The CALL Scotland ASL & Technology Conference 2025
5. Get Your Tickets for Communication Works South
6. Support our Short Film ‘Never Came Back’
News from Communication Matters
7. Belfast AAC Information Day – Book Now
8. CM2025 International AAC Conference – Call for Papers Now Closed
9. CM2025 International AAC Conference – Register Now
10. CM Office Closed Monday
11. About Friday Announcements
1. Our 50% App Sale is Now On!
From Emily Gabrielle, Liberator Ltd:
From 24th April – 7th May 2025 you can get a 50% reduction on LAMP Words for Life, TouchChat and Dialogue AAC apps.
You can find details of the app sale including Terms and Conditions here.
2. Two Therapy Box WSIS 2025 Nominations!
From Rebecca Bright, Therapy Box Ltd:
Two Therapy Box apps are shortlisted for the World Summit on the Information Society Prizes 2025. WSIS is a United Nations summit initiated to create an evolving multi-stakeholder platform to address the issues raised by information and communication technologies (ICTs) through a structured and inclusive approach at the national, regional, and international levels.
Predictable was nominated for the work localising it in Arabic with Mada Center in “Category 15 — AL C8. Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content.”
Scene & Heard Pro is nominated in “Category 17 — AL C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society”. We thank the RERC on AAC who contributed to the innovation in Scene & Heard Pro.
Please vote if you can: https://www.itu.int/net4/wsis/stocktaking/Prizes/Prizes/
3. Pretorian Technologies PRESENTS! AAC/Communicators
From Bob Sagoo, Pretorian Technologies Ltd:
Welcome to our live online event where Assistive Technology meets Communication Solutions in a unique showcase by Pretorian Technologies.
Dive into the world of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) as we highlight the latest innovations by Pretorian Technologies for individuals with diverse communication needs. Join Bob for an insightful look at Smooth Talker, Pretorian’s flagship AAC device and AACtivity, a highly versatile communicator and musical device! Don’t miss this opportunity to discover some great activities you can do with both devices and see how AAC can empower and enhance communication.
Here is the link to book onto the event on Tuesday 29th April, there are 3 times: 9am-10am, 12pm-1pm, 5pm-6pm
4. The CALL Scotland ASL & Technology Conference 2025
From Claire Harrison, CALL Scotland:
We are delighted to say that on Wednesday 11th June 2025 our ASL & Technology Conference is returning as a face-to-face event.
Don’t be disheartened though if you’re not within commutable distance of Edinburgh, we have you covered too! We will be live streaming all the workshops on the day, and if you are not able to join us live, we will also be recording all of them as well.
As well as a programme of talks from Primary and Secondary practitioners from all over Scotland, there is an exhibition space where you can meet and talk to over twenty ASN technology suppliers.
Our exhibitors have kindly donated many prizes, including licences to software, that will be available in the prize draw at the end of the day. Not only will you leave feeling excited, inspired and motivated with plenty takeaways to trial yourself, you may even win a prize!
Find out more and reserve a space on the ASL & Technology website: https://www.aslandtechnology.org.uk/
5. Get Your Tickets for Communication Works South
From Annabel Dent, CENMAC:
CENMAC is delighted to be partnering with Ace Centre for Communication Works 2025!
South Event
Date: Thursday 22nd May 2025
Venue: Charlton Athletic Football Club, North Stand, The Valley, Floyd Road, London SE7 8BL
Time: 9.15am to 4.00pm (BST)
Communication Works (#CW2025 #GetSeen) is a complimentary event providing a platform for our CENMAC students to “get seen” and to celebrate their achievements. It is an opportunity for the SEND community to come together and see first-hand how our children and young people access the curriculum and/or communicate using assistive technology (AT) and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
The event gives visitors the chance to see a range of assistive and accessible technology, communication tools, digital strategies and person-centred approaches first hand with a seminar programme featuring CENMAC Advisory Teachers alongside product experts from a wide range of assistive technology companies. Some of our CENMAC students participate in the seminars and demonstrate the technology showing visitors how the technology works in practice.
Find out more and reserve your complimentary ticket: https://bit.ly/CW2025EVENT
6. Support our Short Film ‘Never Came Back’
From Dave Young, The Shouting Mute:
Here is a short thriller film ‘NEVER CAME BACK’ from Dave Young (The Shouting Mute) and Kate Caryer (The Unspoken Project) for Facebook using TD Pilot and iPad to write and perform and direct for the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge (EDFC) 2025. We had to shoot and edit over 4 days with 50% disabled talent in front and behind the camera.
Please watch, like, share and comment on the film on the EDFC Facebook page and YouTube channel to support us in this year’s EDFC Awareness Campaign!
Facebook http://facebook.com/disabilityfilmchallenge https://www.facebook.com/share/v/195DVJKKQy/
YouTube https://youtu.be/8MSpHbqAZF4?si=FH_s2I1vLgOrph66
Twitter @disabilitychall
Instagram @disabilityfilmchallenge
Tiktok @disabilityfilmchallenge
#edfc2025 #disabilityfilmchallenge #thrillerandsuspense #easterseals #inspirechange
7. 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!
8. CM2025 International AAC Conference – Call for Papers Now Closed
Thank you to everyone who submitted an abstract by this week’s deadline of 23 April. The abstracts committee will be busy over the next few weeks reading and reviewing all your presentation ideas. There are lots of interesting topics and it is shaping into an exciting conference.
We will notify all applicants of the outcome via email by 6 June. For further information please visit our website or if you have any questions please email [email protected].
9. 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.
10. CM Office Closed Monday
The Communication Matters Office will be closed on Monday 28th April due to staff leave. 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.
11. 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).
