1. Welcoming Therapy Box to the PRC‑Saltillo Community
2. Ace Centre 2-Day PODD Workshop
3. Assistive Technology Network Meeting – AT Therapy
4. What Do You Want to See in a Local AAC Services Website?
5. Join us at Leeds Local Offer Live 2026!
6. Free Webinar: A Lived Experience of Using Makaton in Healthcare
7. Specialist Speech & Language Therapist Vacancy – Ace Centre
8. Clinical AAC Specialist Vacancy – Smartbox Ireland
News from Communication Matters
9. CM 2026 Abstract Submissions Now Open!
10. Register for Peer Support Sharing Best Practice Day
11. CM Conference 2026 – Save the Date!
12. About Friday Announcements
1. Welcoming Therapy Box to the PRC‑Saltillo Community
From Emily Gabrielle, Liberator Ltd:
We’re thrilled to share that the Therapy Box® suite of apps – including Predictable®, Scene & Heard Pro®, Colourful Semantics®, and Voca Quest®, have joined the PRC-Saltillo global community.
Therapy Box apps will continue to be sold under their trusted brand names, with development and support maintained by the existing team across the UK, Ireland, and India. Their employees now join Team Liberator here in the UK.
We are excited to welcome the Therapy Box Suite of apps to the PRC-Saltillo Community, and look to the future, with our new colleagues, as we continue to make AAC accessible for everyone who needs it.
Read the full announcement here.
2. Ace Centre 2-Day PODD Workshop
From Ryan Crowe, Ace Centre:
Ace Centre will be running the popular Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display (PODD) workshop again on the 30/31 March in Abingdon! This 2-day course is a great way to get hands on with the PODD resource, looking at the different features and access, as well as learning strategies that can be implemented. The sessions will also look at templates, both generic ones and how to create customised solutions.
Places are extremely limited so book yours here.
3. Assistive Technology Network Meeting
From Craig Brown, AT Therapy:
Thanks to everyone who responded to our questionnaire. We have collated the information and below are the details of the first Assistive Technology network meeting.
Date: Tuesday 3 March, 1-4pm
Meeting Attendance: Remote
We are researching GDPR compliant AI for note taking and compatibility with videocall software (Zoom, Meet, etc.). Once we have found a workable solution, we will provide meeting details.
Agenda
Here is a rough agenda. Please email (see contact below) with ideas of specific topics. We want the AT Network to shape this agenda, and it will evolve over time.
1pm: Introductions
1:10pm: Network group planning
Looking at meeting information like how to facilitate AT equipment demonstrations, meeting etiquette and GDPR, frequency, etc.
2pm: AT Problems and Solutions
Please bring anonymised case studies you would like to discuss.
3pm: AT Competencies and Evidenced-Based Practice
What competencies do you currently use?
Ever heard of PAAT?
Have you read any interesting research recently?
3:50pm: Feedback and ideas for future agenda items
We plan to provide an anonymised summary of the meeting on request.
Please email fr…@attherapy.co.uk if you would like further information, or visit AT Therapy’s website.
4. What Do You Want to See in a Local AAC Services Website?
From Helen Murphy, Local AAC Services Working Party:
A Specialised AAC Services working party are looking to develop a new website to support local services to develop their AAC provision. We need your input to help us identify what needs to be included in this resource.
The survey is very brief so should only take 5 – 10 minutes to complete, please click on the link here: What do you want to see in a Local AAC Services website? – Fill in form.
The deadline for responses is 31 January 2026.
Many thanks for taking the time to contribute to the development of this important resource to support local teams with their provision of AAC input for service users.
5. Join us at Leeds Local Offer Live 2026!
From Leeds SEND Local Offer:
Wednesday 25 March 2026
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Drop-in)
Pudsey Civic Hall, LS28 5TA
Come along to find out about services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Leeds – all in one place!
Leeds Local Offer Live is our annual marketplace event, bringing together families, professionals, and service providers to share information, resources, and support.
Workshops
- Attend workshops to learn about Supported Internships in Leeds.
- Hear inspiring stories directly from students.
For more details, email us at [email protected].
6. Free Webinar: A Lived Experience of Using Makaton in Healthcare
From Natalie Applewhaite-Morgan, The Makaton Charity:
Wednesday 25 February 2026
1pm – 2pm
Registration is via Zoom and the event is free for anyone to attend.
In this webinar, Amanda, mum to Alice, a Makaton sign and symbol user, shares over 20 years of lived experience supporting her daughter through healthcare settings. She reflects on navigating negative and dismissive experiences, as well as the journey towards more positive, inclusive engagement through self-empowerment and the use of Makaton.
This session is not about quick fixes, but about creating space for reflection on how communication access and Makaton can support better healthcare experiences. The webinar will also signpost to resources in the Makaton Library and relevant Makaton “For…” training, including healthcare-focused learning. This event is open to paid Makaton Members and the wider community, this webinar centres around lived experience and inclusive practices.
Sign up to this event via zoom here.
7. Specialist Speech & Language Therapist Vacancy – Ace Centre
From Rachel Thwaite, Ace Centre:
Specialist Speech & Language Therapist – AAC & Neurorehabilitation
Band 6: £38,682 – £46,580 (pro rata)
Ace Centre and Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust are partnering to offer a unique, permanent, and full-time opportunity for a skilled and motivated Speech and Language Therapist passionate about Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) and Neurorehabilitation.
This exciting dual role is split equally between two specialist services:
- Ace Centre – you will join their North office, Oldham, as an AAC Consultant working across the Northwest.
- Salford Hospital – you will join their Hyperacute and Acute Neurorehabilitation units as a Specialist SLT.
The successful candidate will split their week equally between the two specialist services, collaborate with highly experienced professionals, develop expertise in complementary areas, and make a real impact for patients with complex communication needs.
Why apply?
- Exposure to two leading services
- Opportunities for clinical excellence and skill development
- A role that truly enhances patient care
For further information and to apply, please visit NHS Jobs.
Closing date: 28 January 2026 – apply now to avoid missing out!
8. Clinical AAC Specialist Vacancy – Smartbox Ireland
From Graeme Innes, Head of UK & Ireland Sales at Smartbox:
We are looking for a passionate and experienced individual based in Ireland to join our growing UK and Ireland Sales Team. This role is ideal for a qualified Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist or similar professional background with expertise in AAC and a strong interest in education, training and clinical support.
You will play a vital role in supporting individuals, schools and services across Ireland, promoting Smartbox products, delivering impactful training, and developing meaningful partnerships with local professionals.
This is a client-facing role that combines clinical expertise, communication technology, training delivery, and business development within your region. You will be an ambassador for Smartbox’s mission and values in Ireland, helping to grow awareness, access, and understanding of AAC.
Find out more and apply here.
9. CM 2026 Abstract Submissions Now Open
We Invite You to Submit Abstracts for Our 40th Anniversary Conference!
As we celebrate four decades of advocacy and innovation in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), we’re seeking presentations, workshops, and poster submissions that push boundaries and champion limitless communication for all.
Abstracts will be reviewed by the Abstracts Committee who will meet after the deadline. Submitting authors chosen will be informed by mid-May 2026.
The deadline for abstract submission is Midnight (BST), Friday 27 March, 2026.
Submit your abstracts here.
10. Register for Peer Support Sharing Best Practice Day
31 March, 10am – 3.15pm, University of Leeds.
The next workshop for Sharing Best Practice for Peer Support & Mentoring is for AAC users, families and professionals who are interested in attending, supporting or setting up an AAC Communication Club and enabling AAC users to achieve Mentoring qualifications.
Learn more and register for the event here.
11. CM Conference 2026 – Save The Date!
Join us in Leeds on 13-15 September 2026 for an exciting event packed full of informative presentations, inspiring stories and insight into the advancing world of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
Our conference offers a diverse programme of events that brings AAC users, their families and carers together with researchers, professionals and suppliers to learn, network, socialise and celebrate.
Further details will be shared once announced.
In the meantime, visit our website to learn more about plans for this year’s event.
12. 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).
