Friday Announcements

1. Pathways to Success with Grid for Schools: Catch up on the Recent Webinar from Smartbox
From Olivia Withington, Smartbox:

Missed our recent webinar? You can now watch the full recording on the Smartbox Academy.

In this 1-hour session, our education and AAC specialists were joined by leaders from the SAND Academies Trust who shared their experiences and best practices for creating a communication rich environment.

Through this open discussion, we aim to equip schools with the tools, knowledge and confidence needed for a strong start to their journey with Grid for Schools.

Watch the webinar here: Smartbox Academy | Spotlight on: Pathways to success with Grid for Schools.



2.  Acapela My-Own-Voice Now Included at No Additional Cost with Qualifying TD Devices
From Ishita Umanath, Tobii Dynavox:

Starting on 14 July, anyone with a dedicated Tobii Dynavox AAC device can access the Acapela My-Own-Voice (MOV) voice banking software license completely free of cost. This gives AAC users and their families timely and personalised voice banking without the need to secure separate funding. Alongside a wide range of pre-made synthetic voices included with their device, AAC users have the option to create a voice by recording their own or a donor’s voice.

This supports a more personal communication experience while giving them greater choice in how they sound. MOV voices are stored directly on-device, providing communication that doesn’t rely on the cloud. Together with secure data handling and seamless compatibility across TD software, AAC users can communicate with confidence using a voice that is always available and uniquely theirs.

To learn more about My-Own-Voice, please click here.



3.  1Voice National Residential Weekend 2026 Volunteer Opportunity
From Jo Cope, 1Voice:

Have fun, meet our incredible 1Voice members and gain experience of AAC in action.

“I’ve learnt more about AAC through 1Voice than in my job as a SALT” Helen Dixon, former Chair of Trustees.

We are looking for one or two extra volunteers to help at this year’s national weekend. The event takes place from 21 to 23 August, at Treloar College, Hampshire, GU34 4GL. We have 10 young people confirmed to attend, ranging in age from 7 to 17. Four of these families will be experiencing a 1Voice weekend for the first time.

We are specifically looking for volunteers to act as communication partners to help the young people access the circus-themed activities. You will be supported by experienced 1Voice trustees/volunteers. Parents/carers will provide any personal care – your role is to support communication and activities only.

Your accommodation and meals are covered, and we can cover travel expenses. If you are only available for part of the weekend, we would still like to hear from you.

If you’d like to be considered, contact Jo at [email protected] by 5.00PM on 22 July.



4.  ISAAC Online Informal Chats
From Marcia Gemler, ISAAC:

ISAAC, the International Society for AAC, invites AAC users to meet online for informal chats every two weeks. You do not have to be an ISAAC member to participate in the chats.

The next chat is on Monday 20 July, 7.00PM-8.00PM UK time. Join us to talk about a poem by Amanda Gorman.

More information, including a video link to the poem and chat questions, can be found by clicking here.



5.  Call for Nominations for Trustees

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 13 September 2026 ahead of the Communication Matters International AAC Conference.

For more information and to download a nomination form, please click here.

Completed nomination forms must reach us by Friday 7 August.



6.  Mentoring Project Summer Online Sessions

Save the date of the next online meeting, discussing topics to support in-person conversations, advocating for yourself and mentoring others.

Level 1 Award in Mentoring Qualification
Thursday 6 August, 4:00PM – 5:30PM (Microsoft Teams)
Come along to this introduction to the Level 1 Award in Mentoring (NCFE) – our very popular qualification for AAC users. You can see the resources and have a go at an activity. All the support, guidance and resources for the qualification are fully funded by the National Lottery. This session is free to attend for any AAC users, practitioners, parents and carers.

Register your place here.

For any questions or for more information on the Summer Sessions, contact Verity Elliott at [email protected]



7.  Voices Without Limits: In Person Communication Club (Scotland)

Date: Wednesday 5 August 2026
Time: 10:30AM to 12:30PM
Location: Stanmore House School, Lanark

Communication Clubs are designed for AAC users to get together, develop their communication skills and have some fun in a social setting. This is the second Voices Without Limits meeting. Suitable for AAC users aged 14+ up to adult.

Refreshments will be provided. Attendance is free, but booking is essential: you can book your place here.



8.  CM Conference 2026

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.

Featuring a keynote speech from Jeff Higginbotham on ‘Looking at AAC Through Time and Interaction’, and a plenary speech from Gavin Clifton, The Disabled Writer: Children’s author, inspirational speaker, disability advocate, lyricist.

The registration deadline for all delegates is Friday 21 August, and all payments must be received by then. No invoices will be issued after 14 August.

Book your place now!



9.  Communication Matters AAC Study Day – Book Your Place

Date: Wednesday 16 September
Time: 9:30AM – 4:00PM
Location: University of Leeds

The AAC Study Day involves two workshops, both two and a half hours long, that complement each other with a focus on research, technology and its use in practical applications.

This full day event encourages deep reflection in relation to collaboration, conversation, and design in the field of AAC. The presentations are:

“Co-production in Research”
Presented by Sarah Hayward and Joanna Holmes.

“Designing AAC for In-Time Conversation”
Presented by Prof Jeff Higginbotham, Director of the Communication and Assistive Device Lab (CADL) at the University at Buffalo.

You can book your place at the Study Day as an add-on to Conference attendance, or as a stand-alone ticket. Conference attendance is not required to join us at the study day.

For further information please see: AAC Study Days – Communication Matters



10.  Relaxed Exhibition 2026

Date: Sunday 13 September
Time: 2:30PM – 5:00PM
Location: The Refectory, University of Leeds

The Relaxed Exhibition is a free, pre-conference event for people interested in learning more about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in a quieter environment. With restricted numbers of exhibition delegates on Sunday 13 September, we aim to provide a more sensory-considerate space. The exhibitors will be the UK’s leading suppliers of communication aids, equipment, software and symbol systems.

This event is free of charge for all attendees and refreshments will be provided. Places are limited, so please book early to ensure you can enjoy learning more about AAC in a quieter, calmer pace.

We would also encourage you to spread the word about this event, as it’s a fantastic opportunity to experience a bit of Communication Matters in a more accessible setting. As well as offering a quieter, less busy environment, it’s a great way to introduce AAC and the exhibition to those who may benefit from a calmer pace.

To learn more, click here.



11.  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.