Friday Announcements

1.  A Sleeker Tobii Dynavox Pilot Has Landed
From Ishita Umanath, Tobii Dynavox:

TD Pilot is now sleeker, easier to use and more reliable than ever.

Now launched globally, the iOS-based speech generating device now features an all-black design, clearly coloured buttons, and a centred front-facing camera.

These improvements stemmed from the continuous feedback we gather from the communicators, speech therapists, and care teams who understand best how the device functions in daily life. Now with refined hardware and software, TD Pilot offers a more seamless setup and daily experience, helping communicators and their care teams focus on communication rather than technology.  

Learn more: uk.tobiidynavox.com/blogs/product-news/a-sleeker-td-pilot-has-landed



2.  Predictable Arabic Shortlisted for the WSIS Project Prizes 2026
From Emily Gabrielle, Liberator Ltd:

Predictable Arabic has been shortlisted for the WSIS Project Prizes 2026, an international awards programme run by the United Nations agency ITU. The nomination recognises digital projects that use technology to promote inclusion and meaningful access worldwide. 

This shortlisting highlights the importance of culturally relevant AAC and reflects the collaborative work behind Predictable Arabic, including support from MADA in Qatar. Predictable Arabic is shortlisted in Category 15 – AL C8. Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content 

The project has now entered the public voting phase, and voting will close on Wednesday 13 May 2026. If you would like to vote and show your support follow the link below, register and look for Predictable Arabic in Category 15. 

www.itu.int/net4/wsis/stocktaking/Prizes/2026/Vote

The whole PRC-Saltillo community is proud to see inclusive communication recognised on a global platform.  



3.  AAC Content Developer Vacancy – Smartbox
From Olivia Withington, Smartbox:

We’re looking for someone with a background in AAC and education to join our Content team at Smartbox!

We’re looking for an AAC Content Developer to help develop innovative, market-leading, user-friendly content for our Grid software.

You’ll join our Content team to design and deliver innovative, research led grid sets and resources, with a particular focus on supporting children who use symbols for communication and learning. An education background will be especially valuable, enabling you to create content that supports language, literacy and curriculum access through AAC.

This role offers the chance to collaborate closely with colleagues across our R&D teams – including Content, Software, Hardware and User Experience – as well as with the wider Smartbox family and global partners. As we work to bring AAC to more people around the world, you’ll also help localise our grid sets into more than 35 languages. If you’re excited by creating high-quality, user-centred content that makes a real difference to AAC users and their families, we’d love to hear from you.

You can view the full job description and apply here.



4.  Free Afasic Primary to Secondary School Transition Courses
From Afasic Online Updates:

Does your child, or a child you know, have speech, language and communication needs and is currently in year 6, due to start at secondary school in September?

Afasic organises courses with schools and speech and language therapists, to help children navigate the often-daunting transition to a new secondary school.  A few face-to-face courses are arranged throughout the country, and following a successful pilot last year, there is now an opportunity for children to attend a National Online Transition Course. 

Courses are free and usually run for 3 days during the Summer Holidays.

You can register interest for our online course here.  If you would like more details, please contact Michele, our Transition Course Co-ordinator by email at [email protected]



5.  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



6.  Join the Conversation: Organisational Members

Communication Matters invites representatives from all organisational member groups to our upcoming meeting, traditionally known as the Suppliers’ Meeting. We are opening this meeting to reflect the wider AAC community, and we welcome any organisational members offering services or products in this space.

Save the Date: Friday 15 May 11:00AM on Microsoft Teams.

The session will include an update from Communication Matters, a discussion about organisational membership, and a look ahead to our 40th Anniversary, events and the 2026 Conference.

Check your inbox for an invitation, or alternatively, please email [email protected] to receive the agenda and meeting link directly.



7.  Communication Matters Quality Service Standards – Share Your Views
We are currently updating the Communication Matters Quality Service Standards for AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), and we would like to hear from you.

The standards help guide how communication support is provided across the UK, including support at home, in education, in the workplace, and in the community. This update aims to reflect current practice and ensure the standards are shaped by the experiences of those who use and deliver AAC.

We invite responses from:

• AAC users
• families and carers
• professionals, services, and organisations
  
  

The questionnaire explores:

• how communication is supported
• access to AAC services
• support across different life stages
• what good communication support looks like in practice
  
  

Your feedback will help identify what is working well, where there are gaps, and what needs to improve. The findings will be used to co-produce updated standards.

The questionnaire can be completed in your own time, and you may skip any questions.

If you require support or an alternative way to take part, please get in touch with Dr May Agius on [email protected] 

Access the questionnaire here: Communication Matters Quality Service Standards Questionnaire – Fill out form



8.  CM Conference 2026 – Early Bird Registration Open Now!

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.

Early bird conference delegate registrations are now open, with the discounted ticket rate available until 29 June 2026.

Book your place now to not miss out on this great deal!



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).

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.