Friday Announcements

1. Explore literacy and AAC in the latest episode of Start the Chat: The AAC Podcast by Smartbox 

From Olivia Withington, Smartbox Assistive Technology Ltd:

In this two-part episode, our hosts speak with experts and AAC users about the role literacy plays in communication. 

In part one, early childhood education expert Maureen Donnelly, Director at Building Wings, discusses the science of reading, the importance of phonics, and how AAC can support literacy development. She also explores the value of a student-centred approach that gives learners confidence and freedom to express their ideas.

In part two, AAC user and advocate Emily Cowen shares her literacy journey and the barriers she has overcome. We discuss the importance of inclusion, belief, and challenging assumptions that can limit opportunities for learning and self-expression. 

The episode also features Jamie Preece and his partner Emma, who reflect on discovering literacy later in life. Jamie explains the impact literacy has had on his communication, and how he combines spelling, phrases, symbols, prediction and re-voicing to get his message across effectively. 

Together, these stories highlight how literacy can give people who use AAC greater freedom, independence, and control over their communication. 

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.


2. Leading the Room: AAC-Enabled Leadership in Mixed Communication Spaces

From Grace Thompson, The Butterfly Hope:

Introducing a research project led by Grace Thompson, funded by Touretteshero:

WHAT IS THE PROJECT ABOUT?

This project looks at how AAC users lead groups.

We will listen to AAC users’ real experiences and the research will support AAC users to shape their own leadership tools.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

• There is an online survey for AAC users available here:
• There will also be 5 paid interviews for AAC users.

For more information contact: [email protected]


3.  Occupational Therapist Vacancy – Cambridge

From Helen Murphy, Communication Aid Service East of England:

An exciting, fixed term / secondment opportunity for a skilled Occupational Therapist to join the Communication Aid Service East of England (CASEE) in Cambridge has arisen.

You would join our specialist multi-professional team comprising Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, a Healthcare Scientist, a Rehabilitation Engineer, an Advisory Teacher, Clinical Technicians and administrative support. This is a unique opportunity to develop a raft of specialist skills and experience in the exciting field of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC).

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to engage in invaluable supportive professional development and learn a multitude of transferable skills to further their career in this specialist field or to bring back to their substantive role and add to their professional repertoire.

To find out more, please click here or contact us at [email protected]

Closing Date: Wednesday 15 July 2026.


4.  ‘Talking Speech Apraxia’ Series Now Available Online

From Ruth Rowntree, Speech Apraxia International:

Speech Apraxia International now has an online learning/CPD portal which showcases presentations from our events and Podcasts from our ‘Talking Speech Apraxia’ series. To access it you can find the link here.


5. ISAAC International AAC User Chat Session

From Marcia Gemler: 

ISAAC, the International Society for AAC, invites AAC users to meet online for informal chats every two weeks.  The next chat is on Monday 6 July at 7-8pm UK time.  Join us to talk about a poem by Amanda Gorman.  More information, including a video link to the poem and chat questions, are on the ISAAC link.


6. Mentoring Project Summer Online Sessions

From Verity Elliot, Mentoring Project:

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

Having a Good Conversation
Tuesday 14 July, 10:30AM – 12:00PM (Microsoft Teams)
This workshop will focus on how to be a good communicator and to be more aware of how we engage with others. We will share ‘tips and tricks’ along with understanding what helps us and what we need when having a good conversation.

This session is free to attend for any AAC users, practitioners, parents and carers.
Register your place here.

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)

Wednesday 5 August 2026, 10.30am to 12.30 noon
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.

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.