Friday Announcements

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

Wednesday 25 February, 9:30am to 12pm GMT
Are you a speech and language therapist who rarely comes across this developmental disorder which effects 1/1000 of us, or perhaps a parent of a child with CAS? Focused on Childhood Apraxia of Speech diagnosis, treatment and parental experience, this session forms part of our CPD and parent support series.

This event features:
• Lorraine Bamblett — What CAS Therapy Actually Looks Like
• Olga Komadina — Demystifying Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options for CAS
• Lottie Berry — Why Isn’t He Talking? It Can’t Just Be Autism

Learn more and book your place here.

2. 1Voice Upcoming Events
From Jo Cope, 1Voice:

The National Weekend, Friday 21 to Sunday 23 August
The national weekend is back… with a difference! This year you are invited to join the 1Voice Circus! The weekend is open to school-aged children only – under 18s – though there are places for older role models available. Full information is on our website, including how to apply to be a role model or a volunteer – NRW26 Booking Page — 1Voice

18+ Blackpool Weekend, Friday 29 May to Monday 1 June
New for 2026! A chance for older members to get together and enjoy time with each other at a fully accessible hotel. To find out more visit – 18+ Weekend in Blackpool — 1Voice

Parents’ Online Chats
All parents and carers are welcome to attend our informal online chats. These are Fridays 1pm to 2pm on Zoom: 13 March, 15 May, 10 July, 25 September, and 20 November. Get in touch with Jo at [email protected] if you would like the meeting links.

Save the Date – Tuesday 17 March, 7.30 to 8.30pm – An Evening with Dave Young
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.

3. AAC Trainer Vacancy – Tobii Dynavox UK
From Dee Osmond, Tobii Dynavox:

We are looking for an AAC Trainer to join our UK team!

In this role, you will work closely with the team to expand awareness and understanding of AAC and Tobii Dynavox solutions by delivering high quality training to clinicians, educators, and other stakeholders.

We’re looking for someone with an interest in AAC and assistive technology, and strong communication and presentation skills. This is a full time position based in the Manchester area, with frequent travel across the UK and occasional travel to Ireland and Europe.

Find out more and apply here.

4. Specialist Technical Instructor Vacancy – Communication Aid Service
From Hana Haziem, Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service Leeds:

We are seeking a dynamic and skilled individual to join our small communication aid team which is part of the Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service as part of Leeds Community Healthcare NHS trust.

Your role will be as a Specialist technical instructor based at Chapeltown Health Centre. You will have a passion for supporting adults and children/young people with communication difficulties who require the use of Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) to communicate with others.

In addition to excellent communication skills and an understanding of severe and complex communication needs, you will be highly technical and have a sound understanding of Apple devices and other communication aids.

The deadline to apply is Monday 2 February, with interviews to be held at Chapeltown Health centre on Wednesday 4 February 2026.

For more information and to apply for the role, click here.

5. AAC Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Vacancy – New City College
From Natalie Strong, New City College London:

New City College (a chain of Further Education Colleges) has an opening for a part-time, temporary AAC-Specialist Speech and Language Therapist.

Ideally the candidate would be able to work 3-5 days a week until the end of the academic year, starting as soon as possible. There may be scope for further work in the new academic year, possibly in a permanent capacity.

You will be responsible for our learners who currently use or have the potential to use AAC across five of our campuses (Ardleigh Green, Poplar, Hackney, Redbridge and Epping).

In this role, you will assess students’ use of low and high tech AAC, make referrals to AAC Hubs for full high tech AAC assessments, and support learners and staff on how to use AAC via modelling and training sessions. Experience of using TD Snap and TD Snap Whiteboard would be preferable, but not essential.

Qualifications:
• Proven experience in supporting the use of AAC and the confidence to train staff.
• A qualification in Speech and Language Therapy and registration with the HCPC
• We cannot support any sponsorships at the current time.

For more information, please email [email protected]

6. 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.

7. 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.

Learn more and register for the event here.

8. 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.

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).