Communication Matters

Information

for

people

with

communication

difficulties

Communication Matters is a UK-wide organisation committed to supporting people of all ages who find communication difficult because they have little or no clear speech. You will find here information on methods of communication which can be used to supplement the more usual methods of speech and writing. These methods are called Augmentative and Alternative Communication, or AAC for short. 

National AAC Dissemination Seminars

Communication Matters, along with organisations involved in the delivery of the Department for Education (DfE) funded AAC Grants Project, hosted four AAC Dissemination Seminars across England in April 2013. These seminars aimed to inform on two pieces of work:

• DfE funded AAC Grants Project - report and resources developed to inform on AAC commissioning arrangements in England.
• Communication Matters AAC Evidence Base Project - final report and results

You can download the reports, resources & presentations from these seminars:

Communication Matters is involved in a wide range of activities:

Join Communication Matters and Make a Difference - Become a member and work with us towards our core aims of increasing awareness about AAC improving Service Standards; encouraging Research; and lobbying government for change. Membership is open to all. People who use AAC can apply for a free sponsored membership in their first year.
Click here to find out the benefits of membership & how to join

• Raising AAC Awareness and Supporting us - There are many ways you can help to raise awareness of AAC and supporting the work of Communication Matters at the same time, for example by running a Sweepstake.

• CM National Conference - The CM2013 National Conference will be held at the University of Leeds, 15-17 September 2013.
• Lobbying, Service Delivery & National Standards - We are currently actively involved in lobbying government to ensure AAC services and equipment are supported in the new NHS reforms. The hub and spoke model of service delivery developed in response to the work for Jean Gross CBE and in consultation with all AAC stakeholders is central to this activity as are the National Standards Documents.
• Research - Communication Matters is leading a groundbreaking research project to gather evidence about the need and provision of AAC. You can search our online, accessible AAC Evidence database: www.AACknowledge.org.uk
• Road Shows - Learn about the latest communication aids, AAC software, symbol systems and related products.
  Find out more about the Road Shows and book a free place
• Resources - Do have a look in our eLibrary for leaflets about AAC, past issues of the Communication Matters Journal and other publications; find your nearest AAC Assessment Service; get details of suppliers of AAC products.
• AAC Discussion Forum & E-News - Post a question to hundreds of members in the AAC Forum for help and advice; subscribe to our E-News delivered monthly by email.