Friday Announcements

1.  Assistive Technology Conference – 2 Weeks Away!
From Fil McIntyre, TechAbility:

There are still some delegate places left at this essential conference focussed on Assistive Technology. Taking place at Coventry Building Society Arena, where the road and rail connections are excellent (it has its own station!)

Date: Thursday 19 November

Book now at TechAbility26 to make sure you can hear about: What practitioners can learn from expert witnesses, Integrating AAC and AT, Smart Glasses as AT, Embedding AT and AI, Cultural change for embedding AAC, the impact of AT on user’s lives and lot more.

Plus a keynote from Beth Moulam on “Dreaming big, working hard and being resilient as an Assistive Technology user”, the Assistive Technology supplier exhibition, and Hot Topics: learn from your peers, share your knowledge.



2.  Supporting Successful Transitions Webinar with Makaton
From Natalie Applewhaite-Morgan, Makaton Charity:

Join us at our free to attend webinar exploring how a person-centred Makaton handover can help maintain communication continuity and ensure people remain known, understood and supported during transitions.

Date: Friday 20 November 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Online: Online, Zoom Webinar

We will cover: 

• What a Makaton handover is and why it matters.
• Communication barriers during transitions.
• What to include in a person-centred handover.
• Sharing signs, symbols, gestures, facial expressions and communication aids.
• Understanding behaviour as communication.
• Who should receive a handover and when.
• Introducing handovers in your own setting.

We will also introduce the Makaton user profile, a practical resource to support communication when a person’s communication partners change.

Who is it for?
Families, carers, education and early years staff, support workers, health and social care professionals, therapists and anyone supporting a person who uses Makaton. No specialist experience is needed. Everyone has a role in supporting communication continuity.

Book your place today and discover how a simple, person-centred handover can help make transitions more communication friendly.



3.  ISAAC’s Virtual Conference 2026 – Extended Early Bird Pricing
From ISAAC International:

In celebration of International AAC Awareness Month, ISAAC have extended Early Bird pricing through to the start of the conference! Take advantage of this special offer and join us 10-11 November for two days of learning, inspiration, and connection.

This year’s theme, AAC in Everyday Life: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond, brings together more than 75 sessions from around the world, exploring practical strategies and forward-thinking approaches to advancing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).

With one registration, you can attend as many sessions as you like on 10-11 November. All session recordings will be available on demand for six months afterwards, giving you plenty of time to revisit your favourites or catch up on sessions you missed.

Register at the now extended Early Bird rate and join the global AAC community!
Visit the ISAAC Virtual Conference website to explore the program and learn more.



4.  MSc Research Survey – Seeking Professionals with Experience of Switch Access
From Graham Waters, University of Dundee:

I am currently undertaking an MSc in Educational Assistive Technology at the University of Dundee and am looking for professionals with experience supporting people who use switches to take part in a short research survey.

I’m particularly interested in hearing from teachers, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, assistive technology practitioners and other professionals involved in supporting switch access.

My dissertation explores how switch skills can be mapped to accessible gaming activities. Mainstream video games can offer motivating opportunities for switch users, but unlike specialist switch-access resources, they don’t necessarily follow a structured progression of skills. I’ve developed a draft framework to help bridge this gap and would really value professional feedback on its clarity, usefulness and relevance to practice.

No experience of gaming is necessary. Professional knowledge of switch access is what I’m interested in.

Participation is voluntary, and the survey includes a participant information sheet and informed consent before any questions.

Survey link: Switch Framework Survey

Please note: ‘Mapping switch skill progression to accessible gaming: developing a literature-informed framework for assistive technology practice’ has received ethical approval from the University of Dundee’s School Research Ethics Committee (UOD-SSREC-TPG-COMP-2025-030). Communication Matters is not responsible for any aspect of this research study.



5.  Research Participation Request for Speech & Language Therapists
From Alice Wakefield, University of Dundee:

I am currently completing the MSc in Educational Assistive Technology at the University of Dundee. For my dissertation project I am seeking to understand the thoughts and opinions of Speech and Language Therapists (working in England) on the use of frameworks and models in AAC assessment and implementation, and their thoughts and views on the content, feasibility, and potential value of a new framework for AAC assessment and implementation.

I am recruiting participants for one-to-one interviews. Participation will involve watching a short video and then taking part in an online interview lasting approximately 30 minutes.

If you are interested in taking part, please email me at [email protected] to receive documentation related to the study, and to book a time for the interview session. Please also include a sentence explaining the context you are working in, and get in touch before Thursday 12 November 2026.

Please feel free to share this invite with colleagues who may be interested in participating!

Please note: ‘Exploring Speech and Language Therapists’ Views on a New Framework for AAC Assessment and Implementation’ has received ethical approval from the University of Dundee’s School Research Ethics Committee (UOD-SSREC-TPG-COMP-2025-028). Communication Matters is not responsible for any aspect of this research study.



6.  CM Small Grants Applications are Now Open

Communication Matters is pleased to announce our Small Grants fund is now open for applications.

Our members can apply for up to £500 towards community-focused projects that align with Communication Matters’ vision to:

• increase awareness of AAC
• improve AAC service standards
• advance AAC research
• empower AAC users

Read details of how to apply and criteria for successful applications on our website: www.communicationmatters.org.uk/small-grants

Once the fund is allocated, no further applications will be accepted.



7.  CM Journal – Call for Articles

The CM Journal is a valuable platform for sharing your work, research, experiences, and insights with the wider AAC community. We welcome article submissions from anyone with a connection to AAC, provided the content is relevant to the field.

We particularly encourage contributions from AAC users and their parents, families, and supporters. Wherever possible, we enhance articles with photographs, tables, graphs, symbols, and other visual elements to make content engaging and accessible.

For further information about the journal, submission guidelines, and previous issues, please visit the CM Journal page.

Articles can be submitted by emailing [email protected]



8.  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.