1. 50% Off Look Lab, Eye Gaze Software by Smartbox
2. Technology Support Worker Vacancy at the Compass Service
News from Communication Matters
3. Glasgow AAC Information Day – Register Now!
4. Voices Without Limits – Communication Club Scotland
5. Communication Matters Needs Your Vote!
6. CM 2026 Abstract Submissions Now Open!
7. Register for Peer Support Sharing Best Practice Day
8. CM Conference 2026 – Save the Date!
9. About Friday Announcements
1. 50% Off Look Lab, Eye Gaze Software by Smartbox
From Olivia Withington, Smartbox:
Next month is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, a time to listen to, learn from, and amplify the voices of people living with cerebral palsy. To recognise this meaningful campaign, we’re offering 50% off Look Lab, Smartbox software that is designed to support alternative access users to develop their skills. Many people with cerebral palsy rely on access methods such as eye gaze and head pointers to support their communication and so we hope this discount will help make these tools more accessible for everyone who needs it.
Look Lab offers 38 activities, all of which are aimed at developing key access skills in a fun and motivating way. Find an activity to suit your mood and interests with 5 categories to choose from including Fun, Challenge, Creative, Puzzle and Mindfulness. Look Lab is suitable for all levels and ages – simply adapt your settings to suit the user.
The discount is available from 1 – 31 March 2026 and quotes generated during this time will be valid for 30 days from the date of quote.
Read our blog to find out more about how we’re supporting Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month.
2. Technology Support Worker Vacancy at the Compass Service
From Jane Bache, Compass Assistive Technology Service:
A very exciting opportunity has arisen for two part-time Technology Support Workers (Band 4) to join our specialised Compass Team in the Assistive & Rehabilitation Technology Service at the RHN. Compass is a multi-disciplinary service focused on providing electronic assistive and rehabilitation technology solutions to profoundly disabled individuals both within the RHN and in the community.
Job title: Technology Support Worker (One Technical Position/One Clinical Position)
Department: Compass
Hours: Part time; 21.6 hours per week / 3 days a week.
Salary: Band 4 £17,548.2 – £20,232 per annum (Pro-rata from £29,247 – £33,720 p/a FTE)
Location: Putney, Southwest London
There is some flexibility and we would consider a full-time role for the right candidate. If you know anyone who may be interested, please do pass this on.
To learn more about this role and to apply, click here.
3. Glasgow AAC Information Day – Register Now!
We’re delighted to be heading to Glasgow once more for the CM AAC Information Day 2026. This AAC Information Day is a product demonstration day supported and presented by our Commercial Members from the UK’s leading suppliers of communication aids, equipment, software and symbol systems.
The day consists of five sessions which provide information and offer up-to-date knowledge on the range of AAC products available in the UK. There will also be an exhibition period where you can try out products.
Date: Wednesday 6 May 2026.
Venue: Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel, Beardmore Street, Clydebank, Glasgow, G81 4SA.
Cost: FREE to attend! Lunch & refreshments are provided.
We are still finalising the list of suppliers attending, and more details will shortly be available on our website:
Places are limited, so do register now to secure your attendance! If you have any questions, please contact the CM office at [email protected]
4. Voices Without Limits – Communication Club Scotland
We invite AAC users in Scotland to come along to our first communication club, ‘Voices without Limits’. This is an opportunity for you to meet other AAC users, take part in some fun activities and share tips and tricks on how you use your communication device. The club is suitable for young people and adults who use AAC (aged 14+ years).
The first club session will take place on Thursday 16 April, at 10.30am-12.30pm at Corseford College in Inchinnan. There is plenty of free parking. Light refreshments will be provided, and you are welcome to bring your own lunch.
10.30am – 12.30pm, Thursday 16 April 2026,
Corseford College, India of Inchinnan, Inchinnan PA4 9LH
To register for this event, please click here.
5. Communication Matters Needs Your Vote!
We are honoured to be included in this February’s charity poll hosted by Discount Promo Codes, where the charity that receives the highest number of votes will be awarded a donation to support their work.
Head to Discount Promo Codes, scroll down until you see the poll on the right-hand side of the page (or at the bottom of the page on mobile), and then click on the small circle next to Communication Matters and vote!
It’s completely free to vote in the poll, and you don’t need to use any vouchers or codes to vote either.
Voting closes 28 February.
To learn more about the competition, you can visit our blog.
Thank you for your support!
6. 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.
7. Register for Peer Support Sharing Best Practice Day
Tuesday 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.
Our itinerary for the day will be mailed to all Peer Support subscribers.
Please click here to subscribe to receive details direct to your inbox.
Learn more and register for the event here.
8. 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.
9. 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).
