Friday Announcements – 11 July 2025
1. New Welsh Voices Now Available in Grid
2. Liberator are Moving Premises!
3. Data Privacy Matters in Predictable
4. East Midlands 1Voice AAC Meetup
News from Communication Matters
5. CM2025 International AAC Conference – Register Now – Early Bird Deadline Today!
6. Call for Nominations for Trustees – 1 Week to Go
7. CM2025 Great Book Draw – Thank You!
8. CM Office Closed on 14th July
9. About Friday Announcements
1. New Welsh Voices Now Available in Grid
From Hannah Craven, Smartbox Assistive Technology Ltd:
Grid 3 for Windows now includes a selection of new child and teenage Welsh voices from CereVoice. Update your software today to try out these new voices, which are available to use in both Welsh and English.
2. Liberator are Moving Premises!
From Emily Gabrielle, Liberator Ltd:
We have big ambitions for the future and to help achieve this we’re moving offices! As of 21st July 2025 our new premises will be: Glenside Business Park, West Pinchbeck, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 3SA.
You can find more information regarding the move, including impact to services on moving day, here.
Although we are moving locations, rest assured, our contact numbers will remain the same. We’re so excited for the move and for what it will allow us to achieve in our future.
3. Data Privacy Matters in Predictable
From Annie Galvin, Therapy Box Ltd:
At Therapy Box, we know how important data privacy is, especially when it comes to AAC. That’s why Predictable gives users the option to choose whether their data is stored on EU or US servers, supporting different regional privacy requirements and user preferences.
Watch the video to find out more about data privacy options within Predictable: https://youtu.be/K04M7TAaNMU
4. East Midlands 1Voice AAC Meetup
From Dominic Carroll, 1Voice:
Thank you to everybody who expressed an interest in 1Voice events in the Midlands – we’ve had some insightful conversations and linked up with some fantastic people. It’s been great to hear from all of you over the last couple of months and hear about the projects and spaces you’re already involved in.
Following these discussions, we’re proud to announce the first East Midlands 1Voice AAC Meetup, taking place on Friday 1st August, from 10am-12, at The Refectory Café, Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln LN1 3DY.
Please tell people you know, or other families who might be interested in AAC.
Book here: https://www.1voice.info/events – please let us know that you’re coming so we have an idea of numbers.
5. CM2025 International AAC Conference – Early Bird Deadline Today!
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 open!
Book now to take advantage of the Early Bird discount which expires TODAY Friday 11th July. All bookings close on 15th August.
See prices and book online here.
6. Call for Nominations for Trustees – 1 Week to Go
The time has come again to request nominations for Trustees for the next term in the life of Communication Matters. This is a role which demands stamina, commitment and skill mixing but which can be very stimulating and enlightening!
This year there are five vacant places to be filled and the opportunity of appointing a further three Co-opted Trustees as appropriate. The announcement of Trustees will take place at the virtual Annual Meeting of Associate Members on Sunday 7 September 2025 ahead of the Communication Matters International AAC Conference.
For more information and to download a nomination form, please go to: communicationmatters.org.uk/news/call-for-trustees-2025
Completed nomination forms must reach us by Friday 18th July.
7. CM2025 Great Book Draw – Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who submitted a suggestion for the Great Book Draw, to be held during our conference in September. The deadline for submissions is today, and we have received some brilliant book donations. Make sure you enter the draw if you are coming to conference!
8. CM Office Closed on 14th July
The CM office will be closed on Monday 14th July, due to staff leave. We’ll be back to answer your queries on Tuesday 15th July.
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).
