Friday Announcements

1. Liberator’s AAC App Sale ends next week
From Emily Gabrielle, Liberator Ltd:

A quick reminder that our AAC App Sale ends on Wednesday 14 October.

There’s still time to save 50% on selected AAC apps. If you’ve been exploring different options or trialling an app, now may be a good time to decide whether purchasing during the sale is right for you.

Full details of the sale, including the apps available, can be found in our blog: Mark your calendars – our app sale is back!



2.  Be inspired at TechAbility26
From Fil McIntyre, TechAbility:

Delegates leave TechAbility conference knowing they are better equipped to support technology use in an enabling and transformative way.

Date: Thursday 19 November
Location: Coventry Building Society Arena

The day will feature presentations and discussions on Smartglasses as Assistive Technology, embedding AT and AI, cultural change for embedding AAC use, the impact of AT on user’s lives, and what practitioners can learn from the world of expert witnesses.

There will also be an exhibition with Assistive Technology suppliers, and a keynote delivered by Beth Moulam on “Dreaming big, working hard and being resilient as an Assistive Technology user.”

Book now for TechAbility26 to secure your place.



3.  1Voice: Changes & Updates
From 1Voice:

Helen Dixon and Jo Cope step back from their committee roles.

2026-2027 will see some changes for 1Voice. Helen Dixon and Jo Cope, who have played such a big role in 1Voice, will step back after many years so we will refocus our efforts to keep connecting our 1Voice community into the future. Read about: 

• Helen Dixon’s message to 1Voice members
• Jo Cope’s farewell
• 1Voice Plans ’26-’27

There will be no annual residential weekend next year. Instead, we will focus on regional branch and online events and recruiting volunteers, Trustees and additional capacity.



4.  MSc Educational Assistive Technology Scholarships
From Rohan Slaughter, University of Dundee:

We are pleased to announce the launch of two fully funded scholarships to support students joining the MSc in Educational Assistive Technology (EduAT) in January 2027. These opportunities have been made possible thanks to the generous support of the McKay Family Foundation and the Ian Karten Charitable Trust.

The MSc EduAT is a unique distance-learning programme designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to work as Assistive Technologists. Applications are now open for January 2027 entry.

Scholarships available:

• McKay Family Foundation Scholarship – for applicants employed by UK-based charitable or not-for-profit organisations where education is a core objective.
• Ian Karten Charitable Trust Scholarship – for disabled students who hold an offer for the MSc EduAT programme and are, or will be, in receipt of Disabled Students’ Allowance.

Scholarship Application Deadline: Friday 13 November 2026, 23:59 (UK time)

Please note that applicants must first hold an offer for the MSc EduAT programme before applying for a scholarship; please apply for the MSc EduAT programme first here. Competition is expected to be high, so early applications are encouraged.

For more information , and to apply to the scholarship, visit: McKay Family Foundation MSc EduAT Scholarship to support January 2027 entry

You can also contact us directly by email: [email protected]   



5.  2026 NWACS Virtual Fall Conference
From Esther Klang, Northwest Augmentative Communication Society (NWACS):

Join us for the 2026 NWACS Virtual Fall Conference: AAC User Perspectives, a full-day online event celebrating “Joy and Connection” through the voices and experiences of AAC users. Every session is led by AAC users, exploring meaningful topics including inclusion, access, healthcare communication, mental health support, direct support professionals, and navigating conversations around religion and intimacy.

Attendees will gain practical, real-world strategies and insights drawn directly from lived experience. Recordings will be available to all registrants until 26 October 2026.

Date: Sunday, 11 October 2026
Time: 5:00 PM – 12:15 AM (BST)
Location: Online via Zoom

Professional registration is $90 + fees. A reduced rate of $45 + fees is available for parents, caregivers, students, and people with lived experience, and scholarships are available on request.

As a special offer to our AAC community, receive 15% off registration using code nwacs26_EK15 at checkout, or register through this link and the discount will be applied automatically: www.eventbrite.com/e/1993750196508/?discount=nwacs26_EK15.

Can’t wait to learn with you in October!



6.  Spoken AAC Update and 50% Off Premium
From Evan Lauer, Spoken Inc:

Version 1.9.6 of Spoken – Tap to Talk AAC just released for Android and iOS. Plus, Spoken Premium is 50% off for the entirety of AAC Awareness Month.

The update includes:

• Emoji Input: Enter any emoji to get related words as suggestions. Helpful for finding words when you can visualize something but can’t put a name to it.
• Smarter Icons: Spoken can now use context to differentiate between words that share a spelling but have different meanings, allowing more words to receive icon/symbol pairings.
• New Word Icons: Added more than 100 new icons to visualise vocabulary from common topics like clothing, animals, and food. Also added a new setting to hide icons for users who don’t want them.
• Colour and Contrast Fixes: Improved contrast and colourblind-friendliness throughout the app for improved accessibility.
• Quality-of-Life Improvements: Added an undo option when deleting saved phrases, improved the reliability of spellcheck, and made other subtle adjustments to improve the user experience.

For more details, visit the Spoken blog. And don’t forget, Spoken Premium is 50% off until October 31.



7.  Help Test New Accessible Coding Features
From Paul Robinson, Micro:bit:

We’re pleased to share an opportunity from the Micro:bit Educational Foundation, which is working to make block-based coding more accessible.

Following the introduction of keyboard navigation in Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit in 2025, the Foundation has now added screen reader support for block-based coding and is seeking feedback from the community.

The survey is aimed particularly at educators, parents and carers supporting learners aged 8-25 who use assistive technology, as well as young people themselves (with appropriate adult support). The Foundation is especially keen to hear from users with visual impairments or dexterity and fine motor difficulties who use assistive technologies such as screen readers, refreshable braille displays, switches, eye-gaze systems, voice control or keyboard-only navigation.

To take part, explore the MakeCode accessibility support resources, try the updated MakeCode for micro:bit editor, and then complete a short survey about your experience. The survey takes around 10 minutes and is open until 16 November 2026.

To learn more and get involved, visit the Micro:bit accessibility project page. Your feedback could help shape a more accessible future for coding education.

8. 
   
   
   
   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.



9.  CM Journal – 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]



10.  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.



11.  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



12.  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.