Friday Announcements

1. Liberator’s AAC App Sale is now on!
From Emily Gabrielle, Liberator Ltd:

To celebrate AAC Awareness Month, our AAC app sale has returned and will run until Wednesday 14 October 2026, offering 50% off selected AAC apps across iOS and Android devices.

Included in the promotion are popular apps such as TouchChat HD, TouchChat HD with WordPower, LAMP Words for Life, Unity AAC, Dialogue AAC, Predictable, Scene & Heard Pro (lifetime version), and Avaz.

Those unsure which AAC app is the best fit can explore several of our apps through free Discover versions, which provide 30 days of speech-enabled use before purchase. This allows users to trial features, layouts, and vocabulary options before making a decision. You can also head to one of our free webinars to learn the basics of the app before you buy.

AAC is different for everyone, and finding the right solution can make a significant difference to communication and participation. Find full details, eligible apps, discover apps and terms in the blog: Mark your calendars – our app sale is back!



2.  ISAAC AAC Homies: Let’s Page Rip!
From Marcia Gemler, ISAAC:

The AAC Four Seasons Book Club is Transforming to: AAC Homies:  Let’s Page Rip!

Date: Monday 5 October
Time: 7.00PM – 8.00PM (UK time)

We are going to chat about songs, poems, parts of books or films. Links to materials that are accessible to all AAC communicators will be provided. AAC Homies is exploring ideas in every form. Come connect, communicate, and share what you think. Read or listen in advance if you like, no pressure. Just come Page Rip with us!

We’d love to have participants from the UK!  You do NOT have to be an ISAAC member to participate in the chats.

October’s Book:  The Ghost in the Machine, by Chelsea Hagen

Questions:  
1.  If you want to show emotion or emphasize a point, how do you do it?
2.  If your device could cast a spell, what would it do?
3.  Do you like a fun Halloween or a scary Halloween?

ISAAC, the International Society for AAC, invites AAC users to meet online for informal chats every two weeks.

More information can be found by clicking here.



3.  Upcoming 1Voice Events
From Jo Cope, 1Voice:

1Voice have got a good mix of online and face -to-face events coming up over the next couple of months, including:

• Some amazing online talks by AAC role models Beth Moulam and Gregor Gilmour
• Online support groups for parents and carers of AAC users
• 1Voice social events in Lincoln, Cumbria, and Yorkshire
• Our online AGM and annual update
• Get in touch if you’d like to know more!

25 September – AAC parents’/carers’ group – 1-2pm (online)
15 October – an evening with Beth Moulam (online)
18 October – East Midlands meetup
28 October – Lakes & Bay boat trip (Fully booked)
3 November – an evening with Gregor Gilmour (online)
17 November – AGM and Annual Update (online)
20 November – AAC parents’/carers’ group (online)
5 December – Beth Moulam workshop (Mirfield)

Click here to see more information on these events.



4.  ATiA Learning Centre Free AAC Course
From ATiA:

Every October, we celebrate AAC Awareness Month to highlight the essential role AAC plays in enhancing communication, language, literacy, and independence for persons with complex communication needs. In honour of AAC Awareness Month, ATIA is offering one free recorded course in the ATIA Learning Centre to everyone.

Here’s how to claim your free course. Visit atia.org/LearningCenter, choose any one recorded course, add it to your cart, and enter the code FREEAAC26 at checkout.

This offer is available to everyone throughout the entire month of October. Share this opportunity with colleagues, friends, and advocates.

Promo code valid until 31 October 2026, for one recorded course per person. Learners will have 45 days from the date of purchase to watch the recording and claim any certificates/CEUs. Live webinars are not included in this promotion.



5.  Diary of a Makaton User Part 4 + Live Q&A
From Natalie Applewhaite-Morgan, The Makaton Charity:

Following the powerful response to the previous Diary of a Makaton User webinars, Alex returns for Part 4 – an honest and important conversation about growing older as a lifelong Makaton user.

Date: Wednesday 21 October 2026
Time: 12.00PM – 1.30PM (Extended webinar will be 90 mins)
Online: Zoom Webinar

Having used Makaton for over 40 years, Alex shares her experiences of adult life in her 40s and how Makaton continues to support her communication, independence, wellbeing, and future planning every day.

Alex will explore topics including:

• Growing older and increasing independence needs
• Menopause and communicating health changes
• Employment, Access to Work funding, and staying in work
• Hobbies, interests, and maintaining quality of life
• Planning for the future and making important decisions
• Concerns around declining health, dementia, and end of life planning
• How Makaton supports communication, choice, safety, and dignity throughout life

Join us for another unique and thought-provoking session in this powerful webinar series, offering insight into ageing, future planning, and everyday life through the eyes of an adult Makaton user.

Click here to register for this webinar.

Please note: This live webinar will cover sensitive topics and will not be recorded for use in the Makaton Library.



6.  Lewis Support – Assistive Technology Consultant Vacancy
From Oliver Lewis, Lewis Support:

If you enjoy hands-on technology and building real relationships with engaging clients, we’d love to hear from you.

You’ll assess each client’s needs, then install, configure and support the right AAC, eye gaze, switch, gaming access or environmental control solution, backed by bespoke training for clients, families and professional teams so the technology actually gets used.

We cover the south of England with the support of our wider team, and we’re looking for someone to continue our existing support in the South East, initially covering maternity leave, with genuine scope for this to grow into a role in its own right. Minimum two days a week, flexible, mostly home based with client visits. You’ll need experience with assistive technology and a background in AT, OT, SLT, SEN education or equivalent; HCPC or RCSLT registration is desirable. This is a freelance role with flexible, family-friendly hours, paid travel and mileage, and full training and shadowing provided.

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



7.  AAC & Sensory Impairment Research Grant

Communication Matters are pleased to be able to offer an individual, group, or organisation the opportunity to apply for £10,000 funding to undertake a research project. This offer is open to an individual or group with experience of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) who would like to investigate an issue concerned with AAC and sensory loss.

We would consider supporting an individual who would like to use this opportunity to develop research skills. We can connect individuals interested in the award, without existing or current links to an academic partner, to an academic mentor to support them in developing their application and proposed project.

To learn more about the grant and how to apply, click here.



8.  CM Journal November – Call for Articles

Looking ahead to the November issue of the CM Journal, and inspired by the excellent presentations at last month’s International AAC Conference, we would like to invite all conference presenters to consider submitting an article for publication.

The CM Journal is a great opportunity to share your work, research, experiences, and insights with the wider AAC community. For more information about the journal, submission guidelines, and access to previous issues, please visit the CM Journal page.

Articles can be submitted by emailing [email protected]. The extended deadline for submitting your work for inclusion in the November issue is Friday 2 October.



9.  Voices without Limits – Scotland Communication Club
From the Mentoring Project:

The next Voices without Limits – Scotland Communication Club

Date: Thursday 29 October
Time: 10.30AM – 12.30PM
Location: Capability Scotland, Upper Springland, Isla Road, Perth, PH2 7HQ

The 3^rd meeting of the Voices Without Limits club is coming up soon. It’s a great place to meet other AAC users and take part in fun activities, and it’s free to attend!

To register your place at this communication club, click here.



10.  New Communication Club for AAC users
From the Mentoring Project:

Are you interested in helping to set up a new communication club for AAC users in the area around Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland?

We have some funding available from the National Lottery to help with costs such as venue, resources and travel. This club/group could be for children and families or young people and adults (we will clarify the age range depending on the response).

If you are interested in helping to set up and run a club or if you are interested in finding out more about attending a communication group, please contact:

Verity Elliott, [email protected]

For more information about this project, visit: Mentoring – Communication Matters



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.