Friday Announcements

1.  Success is a Journey Tour with TD Snap & Tobii Dynavox
From John Liddle, Tobii Dynavox:

Join us for free, interactive and practical days exploring how Tobii Dynavox can support you and the people you work with throughout their AAC journey – from exploring and assessing options through to choosing the right solution, securing funding and successful implementation.

TD Snap will be a key part of the day, with hands-on opportunities to explore different page sets, features and editing. We’ll also look at paper-based and powered AAC, modelling, dedicated communication devices, eye gaze and other access options, TD Snap for Schools, DAGG-3, device loans, assessment, funding and implementation.

Our East of England tour will visit:

• Norwich – Tuesday 26 January – Mercure Norwich Hotel
• Ipswich – Wednesday 27 January – Novotel Ipswich Hotel
• Chelmsford – Wednesday 10 February – Hylands House
• Cambridge – Thursday 11 February – Novotel Cambridge North Hotel

Click the city name for the sign-up link.

All events are free of charge, running from 9:00AM to 3:30PM. Lunch and refreshments are provided.



2.  Let’s chat! ISAAC Informal Chats
From Marcia Gemler, ISAAC:

Please join us for the next AAC online chat!

Date:  Monday 2 November
Time: 7.00PM – 8.00PM (UK Time) 

Let’s chat!   Informal chats are hosted by the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (aka ISAAC).  Connect, communicate and share what you think. You do not have to be an ISAAC member to participate in the chats.  

Chats are moderated by members of LEAD, ISAAC’s leadership committee for people who use AAC.  Chat questions are posted at least one week before the chat, giving participants the opportunity to pre-program their devices with responses if they want.  They are a fun opportunity to interact with other AAC communicators internationally.

Chat questions: 

• How do you navigate family gatherings and holiday traditions?
• What strategies do you use for expressing gratitude?

If you would like to receive email alerts for future chats, be sure to add your email address in the Google Meet group chat or email us at [email protected]

More information including dates and questions can be found by clicking here.



3.  Treating Motor Speech Disorders with PROMPT
From Ruth Rowntree, Speech Apraxia UK:

Join Speech Apraxia International and Justine Rhind for an informative introduction to PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets).

Discover how PROMPT uses tactile cues to support speech movement and learn about its application in treating motor speech disorders. Suitable for speech and language therapy professionals and others interested in motor speech disorders.

Date: Wednesday 4 November 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM GMT
Location: Online Event

Book your place here.

Organised by Speech Apraxia International
www.speechapraxia.co.uk



4.  Vacancy – Full-time AFC Therapy Technician
From Charlotte Sax, Guy’s and St Thomas NHS:

Full-time AFC Band 5 Therapy Technician Post with the Guys and St Thomas Assistive Communication Service (ACS).

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with experience working with people with disabilities, skills in working with Windows and Apple software and hardware and a passion for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

The post would be a fantastic move for someone already working in a health, education or social care setting in a patient facing role who is also proficient with technology and would like to develop their skills in working with AAC.

The ACS supports adults and children with complex physical and/or communication disabilities in North and South East London providing a specialised Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) service. The Technician plays a vital role within the team of ensuring that our AAC equipment is working effectively and safely, working both at our base and on clinic and home visit appointments with patients. 

Closing date: Sunday 8th November 2026.

For full job description and application visit: Current vacancies | Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

For information contact: Charlotte Sax (Clinical Lead SLT) [email protected]



5.  Vacancy – Assistive Technology Consultant
From Mike Thrussell, access:technology:

access: technology is recruiting an Assistive Technology Consultant. We work with children and adults with brain injury and complex disability, mostly in medico-legal cases, alongside case managers, therapists and families.

The work is in person assessing and setting up AAC, eye gaze, switches, environmental controls and mounting, training the people around the client, and writing clear reports.

Full-time and home-based in England, with the South East, South Central or Midlands preferred. £35,000 (Consultant) or £40,000 (Senior Consultant), plus a bonus scheme and 55p per mile. You’ll need a relevant degree, a full UK driving licence and your own car. We’ll train the right person in the tech.

Full details and how to apply can be found here: Vacancy – Assistive Technology Consultant

CV and covering letter (PDFs preferred) should be sent to [email protected]



6.  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 in 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.



7.  CM Journal – Call for Articles

The CM Journal is a valuable platform for sharing your work, research, experiences, and insights with the wider AAC community. We welcome article submissions from anyone with a connection to AAC, provided the content is relevant to the field.

We particularly encourage contributions from AAC users and their parents, families, and supporters. Wherever possible, we enhance articles with photographs, tables, graphs, symbols, and other visual elements to make content engaging and accessible.

For further information about the journal, submission guidelines, and previous issues, please visit the CM Journal page.

Articles can be submitted by emailing [email protected]



8.  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.