Friday Announcement

1. Move Between Conversations in Grid!

From Olivia Withington, Smartbox Assistive Technology Ltd:

A new command in Grid helps you multitask by seamlessly switching between two chats. Imagine you are mid conversation and someone asks what you would like to drink. With Chat Switcher, you can pause your initial conversation, request a drink and pick up where you left off – helping you stay in the moment, no matter what comes up.

Chat Switcher is available on both Windows and iPad, in Grid version 99 or above.
Find out more on our blog: Switch between chats in Grid.

2. Hear About Real-World Assistive Technology Practice

From Fil McIntyre, Natspec Ltd:

A few places left, but not much time! Less than 2 weeks to go until the TechAbility Conference 2025.

Wednesday 19th November, East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham.

Come and hear about: block-coding with eyegaze and switches, practical uses of 3D

Printing, access to communication devices for people with PMLD, robotics to support independence, integrating AAC and Assistive Technology and more. Alongside all this, an amazing interactive keynote about the power of accessible music, a supplier exhibition and a chance to discuss Hot Topics. Book now to secure your place.

3. 1Voice 25th Anniversary Online Celebratory Event

From Jo Cope, 1Voice:

Sunday 16th November, 2pm-4pm On Zoom

To mark our 25th anniversary we are inviting anybody who has been involved in 1Voice over the years to take an online trip down memory lane.

We are delighted that 1Voice continues to thrive thanks to our amazing members, role models, volunteers and trustees, past and present.

This event will be different to our usual online get togethers. There will be several presentations from presenters sharing memories, photos and videos from events over the last quarter of a century! This online event is an opportunity to look back, hear from people and reminisce.

Visit https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/1voice to book and to ensure you receive the meeting link. Contact Jo at [email protected] if you have any questions.

4. CP Scotland Family Christmas Party

From Rachael Webb, Cerebral Palsy Scotland:

Wednesday 10th December 3:30pm-5.30pm

Kick off your festive celebrations at Cerebral Palsy Scotland’s family festive party.

This event will have fun games, a holiday craft station, and great photo opportunities. And, of course, the children will get to meet Santa!

It’s free to come but due to capacity in the centre, there are limited numbers allowed, so make sure to RSVP soon to secure your place. Click here for more details and to book your place.

Please let us know of any cancellations at the earliest opportunity so we can give that spot to another child.

5. Autumn Term Meeting of AAC Exams Access Group – TODAY!

From Saffron Murphy-Mann:

Our autumn term meeting will take place online TODAY – 7th November at 1pm.
We will share our new guidance documents from KS1-KS4, and there will be discussion and best practice sharing and news of successful exam concessions.

This meeting is for parents, guardians, and professionals as well as classroom teachers, SENCos and Exams Officers who are supporting a person who uses AAC to appropriately access formal testing and exams.

If you would like to be sent a link, please email [email protected] or visit our website https://aac.examsaccess.group/.

6. ‘Inspiring New Ways of Thinking About Access to Technology for People with Intellectual Disability’ Study Day – 1 Week Left to Register!

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

Communication Matters are delighted to partner with a range of leading academic and clinical experts in intellectual disability to host this exciting event.
• Professor Annalu Waller and Dr Tom Griffiths – University of Dundee
• Dr Ben Simmons – University of Bath
• Zoë Clarke and Sally Darley – Barnsley Assistive Technology Team
• Ruth Williams – Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust Adult with Learning Disabilities Team
• Dr Katherine Broomfield – Cardiff Metropolitan University & North Bristol NHS Trust & Communication Matters
• Professor Jill Bradshaw – University of Birmingham

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 intellectual 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.

Attendance: £100 for non-members, £90 for members and £75 for AAC users/PAs/family members. Lunch and refreshments included.

Learning objectives, full programme and booking details can be found here. Registration closes on 13th November!

7. Adapting the Level 1 Award in Mentoring Resources for AAC Users

Tuesday 19th November – Teams meeting @ 4pm-5pm

This is an informal meeting to share ideas and approaches in how the mentoring qualification resources have been adapted for example, using Grid and Bookcreator. If you would like to join this meeting to find out more, please email Verity Elliott [email protected].

8. AAC Peer Mentoring – Scotland: Information Session

Communication Matters is delighted to inform you that we have been successful in receiving some funding from National Lottery, Awards for All, Scotland.
We will be hosting an information session to tell you more about this two-year funded project along with next steps.

Session 1 is a general information session open to everyone, and Session 2 is a planning meeting for AAC users who have already completed the Level 1 Award in Mentoring.

Refreshments (tea & coffee) will be provided and if attending Session 2, please bring your own lunch.

DATE: Tuesday 18th November 2025
Session 1: 10.00am-12.00pm (general information session, open to all)
Session 2: 1.00pm-2.30pm (planning meeting for AAC mentors only)
VENUE: Corseford College West Scotland, India of Inchinnan, Inchinnan PA4 9LH

To confirm your attendance and for more information contact: Verity Elliott [email protected].

9. Communication Matters Training and Development Opportunities

• Looking After Myself – The Capacity to be Resilient and Assertive
Zoom Session for AAC users and others interested in finding out more.
Tuesday 25th November 2025, 2.00pm-3.30pm
Gregor Gilmour (AAC user) and Verity Elliott (CM Mentoring Project Co-ordinator)

This workshop will include gaining an understanding of some of the underlying issues that impact on our mental health and wellbeing, alongside a range of positive strategies and tools that we can use in our daily lives to help our capacity to be resilient.

• Achieving the Level 1 in Mentoring Qualification
Zoom Session for AAC users and others interested in finding out more.
Tuesday 2nd December 2025, 2.00pm-3.30pm
Becky Tyler (AAC user) and Verity Elliott (CM Mentoring Project Co-ordinator)

This is an opportunity to find out more about this fully accredited and fully funded opportunity. Verity will present how this qualification can be delivered and completed in a flexible and adaptable way, the benefits and next steps. Becky will tell you more about her recent experience of completing the qualification.
The qualification can be completed in small groups or individually.

To book onto one or both Zoom Sessions, please contact Verity Elliott, email: [email protected].

10. 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).