Friday Announcements

1.  Tobii Dynavox – Discover a Voice That Feels Like You
From Ishita Umanath, Tobii Dynavox:

Creating a digital voice that represents you is now easier than ever.

For people whose speech changes over time, and for people who are non-speaking, communication can still sound personal, expressive, and unmistakably them.

With our partnerships with synthetic voice providers Acapela and Microsoft, gain access to a vast selection of AI-powered neural voices. With natural-sounding voices that capture language and dialect, you can choose a voice that truly reflects who you are.

Designed to support communication needs across a wide range of congenital and progressive conditions, our 400+ high-quality voices in more than 100 languages are ready to download to your TD device today.

Click here to learn more.

2. Assistive Tech Exchange Meeting
From Tiffany Williams, ATtherapy:

Thank you to everyone who attended the last meeting in March. It was a great opportunity to collaborate, share best practice and discuss AT knowledge and skills competency frameworks.

Our June meeting is quickly approaching:
Date: Tuesday 9 June, 1:00PM-3:00PM
Meeting Attendance: Zoom (Remote)

Agenda:
1:00pm: Welcome
1:10pm: SensePilot demonstration and Q&A
1:40pm: Handshake demonstration and Q&A by Matthew Oppenheim
2:10pm: Tech a break
2:20pm: AT Problems and Solutions (please think of a case study to discuss)
2.50pm: Items for future agenda and confirm next date

Sign up for the meeting via the ATtherapy website: www.attherapy.co.uk/events

Please email [email protected] if you would like further information.

3.  Great Ormond Street Hospital Paired Webinars
From Kate Macleod, GOSH:

The Developmental Communication Service at Great Ormond Steet Hospital are excited to offer two paired webinars on the theme:

“Developing Communication for CYP when Speaking, Understanding, Seeing and Moving is Tricky”

Date: Tuesday 9 June & Tuesday 16 June (attend both)
Time: 9:30AM – 11:30AM

We will explore vision in context of communication development for CYP with limited movements, speech and developmental differences. We aim to:

• Equip participants with knowledge on functional vision and impact on decision making.
• Learn about practical approaches to support communication and leisure including partner assisted auditory scanning.

Presenters:
Dr Jenefer Sargent (Consultant Paediatrician); Alison Futerman (SLT -The Eden Academy Trust); Kate Macleod (SLT GOSH); Abby Bolland & Kate Ali (OT’s GOSH)

Please click here to find out more and book a place.

For queries, please contact: [email protected]

4.  Speech Apraxia UK – Online CPD Event
From Ruth Rowntree, Speech Apraxia UK:

Join Speech Apraxia UK for an engaging online CPD event focused on Acquired Apraxia of Speech (AOS) and Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech (PPAOS).

Date: Tuesday, 19 May
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM (GMT+1)
Location: Virtual

This informative morning brings together expert speakers sharing practical insights and innovative approaches:

• Rosemary Varley – Therapy for acquired apraxia of speech
• Serrena Wagner – Music therapy for acquired speech apraxia
• Sadiya Yasin – Real-life AAC programming with adults

Whether you are a clinician, therapist, or professional supporting individuals with communication needs, this session offers valuable perspectives and practical strategies to enhance your work.

Book your free ticket here.

5.  Coaching for AAC Workshop – Limited Places Remaining
From Helen Murphy, CASEE:

Dr Sam Brydon Coaching for AAC Workshop (FINAL CALL)

Date: Monday 15 & Tuesday 16 June, 2026
Location: Cambridge University Hospitals campus
Cost: £130 (for both days)

CASEE is delighted to present this unique opportunity to attend a workshop delivered by internationally renowned presenter, researcher and Speech and Language Therapist Dr Sam Brydon on Coaching for AAC using the Empowering Parents for AAC Approach. Dr Brydon is visiting all the way from New Zealand, so this presents a rare opportunity to attend great value, face to face training on coaching for AAC.

For more information, click here.

This is a highly practical, 2-day workshop developed from Dr Brydon’s doctoral research, suitable for any professional working with children and families who use AAC. It covers keys strategies needed to support AAC learners, practice how to explain and demonstrate these strategies to the child’s family and education team, and introduces a collaborative coaching model for successful implementation.

To register your interest in attending, or to find out more, please email us at [email protected] ASAP with the subject line ‘Dr Sam Brydon Coaching for AAC’ to reserve one of the very limited remaining places.

6.  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

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.  Relaxed Exhibition 2026

Date: Sunday 13 September
Time: 2:30PM – 5:00PM
Location: The Refectory, University of Leeds

The Relaxed Exhibition is a free, pre-conference event for people interested in learning more about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in a quieter environment. With restricted numbers of exhibition delegates on Sunday 13 September, we aim to provide a more sensory-considerate space. The exhibitors will be the UK’s leading suppliers of communication aids, equipment, software and symbol systems.

This event is free of charge for all attendees and refreshments will be provided. Places are limited, so please book early to ensure you can enjoy learning more about AAC in a quieter, calmer pace.

We would also encourage you to spread the word about this event, as it’s a fantastic opportunity for people you know or are working with to experience a bit of Communication Matters in a more accessible setting. As well as offering a quieter, less busy environment, it’s a great way to introduce AAC and the exhibition to those who may benefit from a calmer pace.

To learn more, click here.

9.  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!

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).

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.