Friday Announcements

1.  Collins Big Cat collection now available in Grid
From Olivia Withington, Smartbox:

In honour of World Literacy Day earlier this month, we launched six new stories in our Read with Me: Accessible Stories collection. Created as part of a year-long collaboration, the grid sets bring stories from the Collins Big Cat collection, aimed at KS1 readers, into an accessible format for AAC users. 

Each story includes built-in communication partner support and engaging activities, creating opportunities for learners to explore reading, storytelling, language and communication in different ways. 

Now available in Grid. Learn more about the collection in our blog. 



2.  Explore the ATiA 2027 Virtual Event
From Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATiA):

We’re excited to announce that ATIA 2027 Virtual Event session titles and descriptions are now available! With a slightly new format and over 85 sessions in the program, there’s something for every interest and experience level. The best part is you can experience it all virtually from the convenience of your home or office and CEUs are included. 

Friday and Saturday, 22 and 23 January, ATIA will host a select number of sponsored live stream sessions. By February 1, all 85+ recorded sessions will be available for viewing until 30 April. NEW THIS YEAR, ATIA will be hosting live sessions and conversations with subject matter experts throughout February, March, and April. More details to come this autumn!

Find the wide range of topics that will be covered in the ATIA 2027 Virtual Event at atia.org/virtualevent, and watch for additional sessions to be announced this autumn.



3.  Discover New Possibilities with Genesis
From Emily Gabrielle, Liberator Ltd:

Liberator is delighted to announce the launch of the new Genesis communication device range, designed to support adults, teenagers and children with complex communication needs. The launch marks an exciting new chapter in AAC, providing more opportunities for individuals to communicate, connect and share who they are.

Read more in our blog.

Built on more than 60 years of engineering, clinical, linguistic and communicator expertise, the Genesis range launches with two devices: the Genesis 13 and Genesis 16. These Windows-based communication devices combine durability, accessibility and personalisation to help users communicate with greater independence and confidence. Features include large, vibrant displays, a dedicated partner display, customisable quick-access controls, surround sound audio, long-lasting batteries and a stable multi-angle kickstand.

A wide range of access options, including eye tracking, head tracking, switches, keyguards and TouchGuides, allows communicators to tailor their device to their individual needs. Genesis is available with our trusted NuVoice or Empower software and AAC vocabularies, including Unity®, LAMP Words for Life®, easyChat Spell, WordPower and more, helping make the transition to a new device as smooth as possible. Devices will begin shipping in the UK from October 2026.



4.  CENMAC Thursday Thirty Online Information & Training
From Mary Long, CENMAC:

CENMAC’s Thursday Thirty complimentary online training & information sessions run throughout the school term. Join us on Thursday afternoons to find out how a wide range of assistive technologies are used to support learning and communication in mainstream and special educational settings. We’ve got some great speakers coming up soon including:  

Date: Thursday 1st October 2026
Time: 3.30PM – 4.00PM (GMT)
Session: Inspiration 12 for Exam Arrangements 
Presenter: Donald Macfie, Customer Relationship Associate, TechEdology

Date: Thursday 8th October 2026
Time: 3.30PM – 4.00PM (GMT) 
Session: Supporting Communication for Children with SEND: An introduction to My IssieSign, IssieSays, and IssieAlbum 
Presenters: Rachel Blum, Speech and Language Pathologist and Dana Cappel, Occupational Therapist, at Beit Issie Shapiro 

Reserve your place here: mycenmac.com/ThursdayThirty 



5.  1Voice presents…An Evening with Beth Moulam
From Dominic Carroll, 1Voice:

Meet Dr Beth Moulam – public speaker, researcher, Paralympian, former trustee of Communication Matters, award winning AAC advocate, Patron of 1Voice, and now author – as she introduces her upcoming book – ‘How to live audAACiously: The Ultimate Lived Experience Guide to AAC’ – from Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

This free online event is a fantastic opportunity for you to hear about Beth’s life, work, and to hear a short reading from her new book. 

‘How to live audAACiously: The Ultimate Lived Experience Guide to AAC’ is out on 19 November 2026, and currently available for pre-order from Amazon, Waterstones, TG Jones, and direct from Jessica Kingsley Publishers.  

Hearing from AAC role models is incredibly valuable, and 1Voice are excited to help bring this opportunity to meet an amazing AAC author. Beth will be answering a mix of both pre-planned and spontaneous questions, so if there’s anything you’ve ever wanted to know about AAC, here’s the place to ask!

Book Here: www.ticketsource.com/1voice 

This event is free, but please consider making a donation to 1Voice by buying a Donation ticket – every penny our charity makes goes towards hosting events like this, raising awareness of AAC, and running groups for AAC users and their families.



6.  A Butterfly Hope’s Free Dance Workshop
From Grace Thompson, The Butterfly Hope:

As Grace is an AAC user, they are interested in how using this style of communication impacts leadership and facilitator roles in group settings such as meetings, workshops, classrooms or social groups, and wishes to identify what supports, strategies and tools can make this easier, more expressive and more empowering.

While AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) tools are widely used to support basic communication needs, these are less commonly represented in positions of authority, or to influence conversations beyond transactional requests such as leading a room. This research will document lived experiences, trial a range of methods, and share practical, user-led insights. In doing so, it will create a disability-led knowledge bank which AAC users can utilise when exploring and developing their leadership skills.

We are looking for up to 8 disabled or non-disabled participants aged 18+ to participate in a FREE 90-minute dance workshop led by Grace Thompson, who uses an AAC device. This will include simple tasks such as introductions, discussions, movement activities, and feedback delivery. You do not need to be an AAC user yourself to apply.

Location: The Dance Space, 2 Market Square, Circus Street, Brighton, BN2 9AS
Date: Friday 16th October
Time: 12.45-2.15pm
Cost: FREE

To apply, please contact [email protected]



7.  ATtherapy – Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Vacancy
From Tiffany Williams, ATtherapy:

ATtherapy is a vibrant and growing company offering a range of different services, including speech and language therapy, assistive technology, vision impairment support and AAC mentoring. We have growing teams in the North of England and Scotland.

ATtherapy support people of all ages with their speech, language, communication and technology needs. We also support people with eating, drinking and swallowing needs. Many of the people we work with have communication difficulties as a result of birth injuries or acquired brain injuries.

We are looking to recruit a motivated and experienced specialist or highly specialist speech and language therapist to join our team in the North-East of England.

We see clients across the North-East in their homes, schools, day centres or at our office base in Sunderland.

For full job descriptions and to apply please visit: www.attherapy.co.uk/careers



8.  Annalu Waller’s Inaugural Lecture
From Professor Annalu Waller, University of Salford:

Annalu Waller recently joined the University of Salford as Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Environment.

Annalu will be giving her inaugural lecture “Who is Disabled Anyway? Towards an inclusive and accessible digital infrastructure” on 7 October at 5.30pm.

To reserve your free spot and join online, please click here.



9.  CM Conference 2026 Feedback Review

A huge thank you to everyone who attended our annual Communication Matters International AAC Conference in Leeds last week. We were delighted to host another successful event, featuring an excellent programme of high-quality presentations, alongside plenty of valuable discussions, networking opportunities, and the sharing of ideas.

All delegates should have received an email containing a link to our conference feedback form. Your feedback is collected anonymously and plays an important role in helping us shape and improve future conferences. We greatly value your thoughts and experiences, so if you haven’t already done so, please take a few moments to share your feedback and make your voice heard.



10. AAC Study Day Feedback & Booklets

Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s AAC Study Day. We were pleased to welcome attendees for a day of engaging workshops led by Prof Jeff Higginbotham, Joanna Holmes, and Sarah Hayward.

If you haven’t already done so, we would love to hear your feedback. Your comments help us improve future events, so please take a few minutes to complete our Research Study Day 2026 Feedback Questionnaire.

We are also pleased to share that the 2022 and 2025 BAC Study Day booklets are now available to purchase in digital format via our website, with the options to purchase individually or as a bundle.



11.  CM Journal November – Call for Articles

Looking ahead to the November issue of the CM Journal, and inspired by the excellent presentations at last week’s International AAC Conference, we would like to invite all conference presenters to consider submitting an article for publication.

The CM Journal is a great opportunity to share your work, research, experiences, and insights with the wider AAC community. For more information about the journal, submission guidelines, and access to previous issues, please visit the CM Journal page.

Articles can be submitted by emailing [email protected]. The extended deadline for submitting your work for inclusion in the November issue is Friday 2 October.



12.  Voices without Limits – Scotland Communication Club
From the Mentoring Project:

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY:
The next Voices without Limits – Scotland Communication Club

Date: Thursday 29 October
Time: 10.30AM – 12.30PM
Location: Capability Scotland, Upper Springland, Isla Road, Perth, PH2 7HQ

Information and registration details to follow.



13.  NEW COMMUNICATION CLUB for AAC users
From the Mentoring Project:

Are you interested in helping to set up a new communication club for AAC users in the area around Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland?

We have some funding available from the National Lottery to help with costs such as venue, resources and travel. This club/group could be for children and families or young people and adults (we will clarify the age range depending on the response).

If you are interested in helping to set up and run a club or if you are interested in finding out more about attending a communication group, please contact:

Verity Elliott, [email protected]

For more information about this project, visit: Mentoring – Communication Matters



14.  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).

This newsletter may include links to external websites or third-party content. While these are checked for quality and working links at the time of publication, Communication Matters is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or availability of external sites.