Friday Announcements

1.  National Online School Transition Courses 2026
From Afasic:

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 in our online course here 

If you would like more details, please contact Michele, our Transition Course Co-ordinator by email at [email protected].



2.  Speech Apraxia UK Childhood Apraxia of Speech CPD and Parent Event
From Ruth Rowntree, Speech Apraxia UK:

Wednesday 25 February, 2026, 9:30am
The treatment and diagnosis of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) can be confusing for parents and professionals. This event demystifies it for you.

This online event will include talks on topics such as what CAS therapy actually looks like, demystifying the treatment options for CAS, and first-hand experience from a mother of a child with CAS.

To learn more about the event, the agenda, and to book your ticket, click here.



3.  The Latest Events from 1Voice
From Jo Cope, 1Voice:

NEW! An evening with Dave Young – Online – Tuesday 17 March, 7.30pm
Join us for the launch of our “evening with…” sessions. Dave is a poet, activist, mentor and musician. Hear about his own journey as a young AAC user through to adulthood. The event is primarily for parents/carers, however AAC users are welcome to attend.

BOOKING CLOSES SOON! National Weekend (under 18s) – Friday 21 to Sunday 23 August
This year you are invited to join the 1Voice Circus! To be better able to support families, the weekend is open to school-aged children only (under 18s). Full information is on our website, including how to apply to be a role model or a volunteer: NRW26 Booking Page – 1Voice

NEW! Lakes & Bay 30th Anniversary Party – Saturday 11 April
Come along and celebrate 30 years of 1Voice Lakes & Bay!

NEW! 1Voice Yorkshire – Saturday 14 March
Join the group for a trip to the Bradford Science and Media Museum.

Parents’/Carers’ Online Chats
All are welcome to attend our informal chats. Fridays 1 to 2pm on Zoom: 13 March, 15 May, 10 July, 25 September, and 20 November.

Visit our events page to book all of the above: www.1voice.info/events



4.  Lead Speech and Language Therapist Vacancy at Pace School 
From Julia Berry, The Pace Centre:

Term Time Salary £54,710 FTE, Term time £47,976.

Make a real difference. Lead with purpose. Shape inclusive futures. 

Pace School is an innovative, child-centred specialist school supporting children and young people with complex neurodevelopmental needs. We are passionate about inclusion, neurodiversity, and unlocking every child’s potential. We are now seeking an inspiring Lead Speech and Language Therapist to join our School Management Team. 

About the Role: 
As Lead SLT, you will provide senior clinical leadership, professional oversight, and strategic direction for Speech and Language Therapy across Pace School. 

You will deliver and oversee a highly specialist, evidence-based SLT service, supporting children with complex communication needs and ensuring truly integrated, transdisciplinary practice. Working closely with education, therapy, and care colleagues, you will help shape high-quality provision that aligns with our school priorities and commitment to excellence. 

We are looking for someone who: 

• is a registered Speech and Language Therapist with significant experience in complex neurodevelopmental needs,
• has strong leadership and supervision skills,
• values neurodiversity and inclusive, strengths-based practice,
• enjoys working collaboratively within a transdisciplinary school environment,
• is motivated to develop services at a strategic level.

Apply now: The Pace Centre Vacancies



5.  Voices Without Limits – Communication Club Scotland
We are delighted to 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



6. 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. Everyone gets one vote in the poll per month, and it runs from 1-28 February.

To learn more about the competition, you can visit our blog.

Thank you for your support!



7.  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.



8.  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



9.  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.



10.  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).