Friday Announcements – 25 July 2025

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1. Text to Speech Software Free Giveaway
2. Keyboard Navigation – A Breakthrough for Block-Based Coding
3. 1Voice Lakes and Bay Accessible AAC Bowling Trip
4. Secure Your Place at a Leading Assistive Technology Conference
5. Participants Required for PhD Research

News from Communication Matters
6. CM2025 International AAC Conference – Just 3 Weeks Left to Register!
7. NEW ‘Inspiring New Ways of Thinking About Access to Technology for People with Cognitive Disability’ Study Day
8. About Friday Announcements

 

1. Text to Speech Software Free Giveaway

From Robert Loten, Panopreter Software:

Panopreter is an intuitive and versatile text-to-speech software that converts digital text content on your computer into natural-sounding spoken speech, or you can save the generated audio in popular formats like mp3, mp4, ogg, etc. It is easy to use and makes the digital world more inclusive and accessible to both novice users and those with more advanced technical skills.

Besides the Windows PC desktop application, text-to-speech plug-ins are also available for Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer web browsers, and Microsoft Word. Users can listen when they surf the web and avoid eyestrain. More information is available on our website: https://www.panopreter.com.

We are now offering a few free software activation keys to visitors who are interested in this assistive PC software. Email us for free activation keys at: [email protected].

 

2. Keyboard Navigation – A Breakthrough for Block-Based Coding

From Emma Posey & Team, Micro:bit Educational Foundation:

We are hugely excited to announce a set of resources to help educators and learners explore Microsoft MakeCode editor for micro:bit. MakeCode can now be used with keyboard controls or assistive technology instead of a mouse or touchscreen. It’s a breakthrough for block-based coding!

View the accompanying resources – watch demonstration videos, try out the Keyboard Controls guides (PDF) for Windows or Mac, read our new guide on Working with students with fine motor and mobility challenges, and much more.

A shared and momentous effort
Thank you Google Blockly and Microsoft MakeCode for being superb partners and huge thanks to the many educators, parents and young people from Europe, UK and USA who contributed their time and expertise by user testing, participating in interviews, reviews and sharing opportunities via their networks. This is a shared and momentous effort!

Further information
Read our article on Launching keyboard navigation in block-based coding.

We love feedback!
If you would like to share your feedback on keyboard navigation in MakeCode or the accompanying resources or both, please complete this simple form.

Get involved
To get involved with future Foundation research activities, join our research community. We will particularly be looking for students with visual impairments and their teachers over the next 12 months to support our ongoing accessibility improvement work.

If you would like to get in touch, please email [email protected].

 

3. 1Voice Lakes and Bay Accessible AAC Bowling Trip

From 1Voice:

Join the Lakes and Bay branch for their next event. The group are going bowling.

Location: The Flower Bowl, Preston, PR3 0BT
Date: Monday 18 August
Time: 3 to 6pm
Cost: £5 to cover the cost of bowling

Book your place at www.ticketsource.co.uk/1voice

 

4. Secure Your Place at a Leading Assistive Technology Conference

From Fil McIntyre, TechAbility:

The full programme is now published for TechAbility25. Last year this conference sold out, so make sure places are secured for you and your team by booking now.

This year’s unique keynote will focus on transforming lives through inclusive music and using music technology (even if you aren’t a musician!).

The breakout programme includes a wide range of sessions such as:

  • Exploring the intersection of AAC and Assistive Technology
  • GenAI blurring the lines between personal and technological aids
  • An AI chatbot approach for learners with SEND
  • Accessible surveys and data collection
  • People with PMLD need access to communication devices

The conference will also highlight innovative research on developing competencies in Assistive Technology and increasing staff confidence in usage. TechAbility25 is essential CPD for anyone supporting specialist technology in education or care.

Some exhibition slots are still available – contact [email protected] to demonstrate your services and products to highly engaged delegates.

 

5. Participants Required for PhD Research

From Sarah Dunn, University of Leeds:

Call for participants for a study researching eye gaze technology, wellbeing and quality of life

I would love to hear from clinicians, practitioners or AAC consultants who work with or have recently worked with eye gaze assistive technology users. You will be required to take part in a single online interview, approximately 45-60 minutes in length.

The purpose of the study is to provide clinicians and practitioners with an opportunity to share their professional perspective and an overview of how eye gaze assistive technology could impact the daily life of users, including their wellbeing and quality of life.

Outcomes of this study will provide insight for future PhD research with eye gaze assistive technology users, specifically focusing on music and singing and the impact this may have on their wellbeing and quality of life.

I am particularly interested in hearing from professionals who might have insight into the best ways to undertake research with eye gaze users and/or have knowledge of how eye gaze assistive technology can be used for leisure time activities, including music.

Please get in touch if you are interested in being involved by emailing [email protected] or share this with others.

 

6. CM2025 International AAC Conference – Just 3 Weeks Left to Register!

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!
Bookings close on 15th August. See prices and book online here.

 

7. NEW ‘Inspiring New Ways of Thinking About Access to Technology for People with Cognitive Disability’ Study Day

21st November 2025, 9.30-4pm, Irwin Mitchell Offices, Temple, London, EC4Y 0AY

Communication Matters are delighted to partner with a range of leading academic and clinical experts in cognitive disability to host this exciting event.

Following on from our previous Study Day in November 2019 (‘Where Next for People with Cognitive Disabilities & Electronic Assistive Technology?), we will offer delegates a range of plenaries and workshops to explore the state of play around existing technology for people with cognitive disability as well as the opportunity to (re)consider how to activate current and future technologies in creative and innovative ways. This is a standalone event and, although drawing on learning from the 2019 event, there is no need for delegates to have attended the previous Study Day to benefit from this one.

Save the date, add it to your training bucket list, and share with colleagues!

We will publish the full programme and booking details later this summer. Watch this space!

 

8. 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).