Welcome!Communication Matters is a UK national charitable organisation of members concerned with the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) needs of people with complex communication needs. Communication Matters is also known as ISAAC (UK) - the UK Chapter of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC). Communication Matters is a core member of the Communications Forum, and has been invited to be a member of the Communication Consortium, the advisory body of the Communication Trust.
What’s Hot at Communication Matters?
| CM Roads Shows - FREE - learn all about the latest communication aids and low-tech equipment:
Oxford 17 June, Worcester 18 June, New London 6 November, New Manchester 12 November, New Bristol 26 November
More about the Road Shows & book a place online |
| Join Communication Matters and receive great benefits: journals, discounts, membership of ISAAC, and more!
The first year’s membership (new members) is free for people who use AAC & their family members.
More details and how to become a member |
| CM2008 National Symposium
- About the CM2008 National Symposium & download registration form |
| Communication Matters Roads Shows - FREE - learn all about the latest communication aids and low-tech equipment.
More about the Road Shows & book a place online |
| ‘The Power of Communication’ DVD
Now available to preview and order online |
| ‘Focus on’ AAC topics
Now available in PDF, PowerPoint and printed formats |
| Receive our free E-Newsletter... It’s easy to sign up to get regular news from Communication Matters, delivered by email. Subscribe to our E-News by sending an email (with your name in the subject line) to: enews.subscribe@communicationmatters.org.uk |
| BULLETIN BOARD 
For all your questions and answers, news & views |
More about Communication Matters
- What is Communication Matters and what do we do?
- Publications you can order
- Applying for membership & ordering journals
- CM2008 National Symposium
- CM Commercial Members
- Links & Resources (links to AAC Suppliers, AAC centres, organisations, funding sources, online forums and more)
- Guest Book
- CM BULLETIN BOARD
What is Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)?
AAC includes the use of eye pointing, gesture, signing, symbols, word boards, or a speech output device. Everyone uses AAC techniques from time to time, but some people depend on them all the time. Communication Matters recognises that augmenting communication involves speech and writing; in some cases, it also involves technology relating to teaching and learning, mobility, environmental control and employment. You can find out more about AAC and related topics in our
Focus on... series:
Corporate sponsors of Communication Matters publications:  
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| NEWS ABOUT THE BERCOW REVIEW AND AAC DEVELOPMENTS IN THE UK | FINAL SUBMISSION TO THE JOHN BERCOW REVIEW
Following the publication of an Interim Report by the Bercow Review in March 2008, Communication Matters has responded with a Final Submission of recommendations to John Bercow.
- Read Communication Matters’ Final Submission
- Read the Bercow Interim Report | * NEW * AAC EMAIL GROUP
Communication Matters AAC Forum
Communication Matters has set up the AAC Forum email group to enable people to more easily share experiences and any other information about Augmentative and Alternative Communication. (The AAC Forum replaces the Communication Matters Bulletin Board.)
To subscribe to the Communication Matters AAC Forum, just send email to the following address (you will receive an email telling you how to confirm your subscription):
cm-aac-forum-subscribe@googlegroup s.com
You can then post messages to everyone in the AAC Forum by emailing:
cm-aac-forum@googlegroups.com | AAC STUDY DAY:
Communicating with Children in Hospital
14 July 2008, London
We regret that this Study Day has been cancelled. | CM2008 NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM
21-23 September 2008
University of Leicester
This popular annual event brings together people who use AAC, family members and professionals from a wide range of disciplines. Register early to avoid disappointment!
- More about the Symposium & download registration form | FREE COMMUNICATION MATTERS ROAD SHOWS 2008
Oxford 17 June, Worcester 18 June, London 6 November, Manchester 12 November, Bristol 26 November
Book a place on one of our Road Shows and find out all about the latest range of communication aids and equipment from the UK’s leading suppliers of AAC products and services.
More about the Road Shows & online booking | ‘MANY STORIES - ONE VOICE’ WRITING CONTEST
ISAAC has announced an exciting writing contest which forms part of the International AAC Awareness Month in October 2008.
Communication Matters would like to encourage participation from as many people as possible - three of the best UK entries will be chosen by the Trustees of Communication Matters, and the
authors will be invited to read their stories to an audience at a London venue in October 2008.
- Find out more about the Writing Contest and AAC Awareness Month | INDEPENDENT LIVING STRATEGY CONSULTATION
The Office of Disability Issues has launched a cross-government strategy on independent living for disabled people. This is the government's vision for Britain for the inclusion of all people in society and the access needed to the services and opportunities to make this happen. It is clear that AAC and specialist communication equipment to support independent living is on the agenda along with electronic assistive technology. Communication Matters will be responding as part of the consultation process which runs until 13 June 2008. Please read the strategy document comment either direct to government or via admin@communicationmatters.org.uk.
- Read the ILS Strategy Document | YOUR CONTRIBUTION NEEDED:
QCA CONSULTATION ON NEW DIPLOMAS
Do you work with young people who use AAC? If you do, then it is important that you contribute to the QCA consultation process on the development of four new diplomas on: Public Services; Retail; Sport and Leisure; Travel and Tourism
- More about how to contribute to the QCA Consultation | AAC DEVELOPMENTS IN SCOTLAND
Debate in Scottish Parliament on AAC Provision, 8 May 2008
Nanette Milne, a Member of the Scottish Parliament, used a communication aid to open a debate on the provision of AAC services and equipment in Scotland.
- Read transcript of the debate
- Watch video of the debate on 8/5/08
Working Group on AAC National Strategy
Following the parliamentary debate, Kim Hartley, RCSLT officer to the Scottish Parliament, reports that the Scottish Government is setting up an AAC Working Group to report on short, medium and long term strategies for AAC services and provision in Scotland.
The Civic Participation Network Project
This project, funded by the Scottish Government, has been announced by Communications Forum Scotland. The project aims to remove barriers faced by people with communication support needs wishing to be active citizens. Talk for Scotland, a web-based practical toolkit for engaging with people with communication support needs, has been produced as part of the Civic Participation Network Project.
- Find out more about the project
- View the Talk for Scotland toolkit | SUPPORT THE BIKE RIDE WITH A DIFFERENCE!
Sponsored London-Paris Cycle Ride
A team from Possum and Microsoft are cycling from London to Paris to raise funds for Leonard Cheshire Disability on 26 June 2008. It’s even more challenging that each rider will only be able to communicate via a touchscreen communication aid!.
- Find out more and make a donation | POSSUM NEWSLETTER
The Spring edition of the Possum Newsletter is now available online.
- Read/download the newsletter | 1VOICE NATIONAL NETWORK DAY AND FAMILY FUN DAY
Hothorpe Hall, Leicester, 20 July 2008
1Voice Communicating Together are hosting another great weekend for people who use AAC and their families.
- More details about the event | ISAAC 2008 BIENNIAL CONFERENCE
Montreal, Canada
The 13th Biennial Conference of the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC 2008) will take place 2-7 August 2008 in Montreal, Canada. The conference will bring together some 1000 AAC specialists and users from around the globe, under the banner ‘Leading the Way’.
- More details at www.isaac2008.org
- Accommodation at McGill University | EMAIL DISCUSSION GROUP FOR PEOPLE WHO USE AAC
‘AAC Matters’ is a new email discussion group which is open to anyone who uses AAC. It is a closed list, which means only people who use AAC can sign up to take part. The email group is hosted by Peter Zein who uses AAC himself. Everything posted is confidential and is not shared by anyone outside of the people who have signed up to the group. So here’s an opportunity for you to talk about living independently, work, leisure, employing PAs, music, AAC devices, football, film, or ANYTHING you want! It’s simple to join - just email Peter and introduce yourself.
- Email Peter Zein | 1VOICE ‘LISTEN TO ME’ DVD
1Voice has released a great DVD is called 'Listen to Me' which was made over a weekend by teenagers (with a professional film company) to raise awareness of their communication needs. The young people worked individually with researchers before the event to plan the content and took part in every aspect of the shoot, including making the music. Members of 1Voice will receive a free copy; others can obtain a copy from 1Voice in return for a donation to support its work. If you are able to promote the DVD they will gladly send you a free copy.
- See a 3 minute preview of the DVD
- Find out more from the 1Voice website | FREE AAC WEBCASTS
The AAC-RERC has just announced the availability of a number of useful audio and video webcasts on various AAC related topics, presented by Janice Light, Michael B Williams, David Beukelman, David McNaughton, Colin Portnuff and Lew Golinker.
Find out more | FUNDING VIDEO ON YOUTUBE
At last year’s CM National Symposium, David Weatherburn and Peter Zein interviewed a number of people who use AAC on their views about the importance of funding for communication aids. The 1 minute film montage is now available on YouTube. The film is of interest to anyone who is seeking funding for equipment; it often helps the people who hold the purse strings to understand the need if they can see the equipment in use and hear the difference it has made to people's lives.
Watch the video | UK GOVERNMENT SIGNS UP TO UN CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Article 21 of the Convention - Freedom of expression and opinion, and access to information - states that Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that persons with disabilities can exercise the right to freedom of expression and opinion, including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas on an equal basis with others and through all forms of communication of their choice. The UK is one of the first countries to sign up to the Convention.
More about the Convention & Article 21 | ‘USING WORDS, PHOTOS AND SYMBOLS’ BOOKLET & TEMPLATES
Download this useful booklet, training handbooks and templates FREE. The booklet was developed by The Clear Communication People Ltd as part of a project funded by Surrey Children’s Fund.
Go to download page | ICES (Integrating Community Equipment Services)
Click on the link below to get an update on what’s going on at ICES:
Find out more about ICES |
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