Friday Announcements

1.  WordPower with Widgit Symbols Now Available on NovaChat Devices
From Emily Gabrielle, Liberator Ltd:

We’re pleased to announce that the full WordPower Suite with Widgit Symbols is now available on NovaChat devices, following the most recent software update.

Bringing together WordPower’s well-established vocabulary system and Widgit Symbols, the full suite gives AAC users access to a range of WordPower vocabulary options, with consistent core word locations, topic-specific vocabulary and built-in support for modelling and language development.

Find out more about WordPower with Widgit Symbols on NovaChat



2.  AAC Exams Access Group Meeting
From Saffron Murphy-Mann, AAC Exams Access Group:

Join us for the next virtual AAC Exams Access Group meeting.

Date: Monday 2 November
Time: 1.00PM
Location: Microsoft Teams

Discussing:

• Successes and learning from the latest assessment cycle
• New or emerging guidance, including relevant JCQ/AARA and DfE developments
• Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 assessments and reasonable adjustments
• Case-study requests and contributions from practitioners working in these areas

The updated support document for this year for KS4 and Functional Skills is now live in the resources section of the website: Resources – AAC – AAC Exam Access

If you would like a Teams invite, please email [email protected] or visit our webpage aac.examsaccess.group



3.  Part-time SLT Vacancy – Oxford Centre for Enablement
From Tracy Phillips, Oxford Centre for Enablement:

We are excited to offer a part-time Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist post (0.6 WTE, 22.5 hours per week) within our specialist neurorehabilitation and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) teams at the Oxford Centre for Enablement (OCE).

This unique split post includes two days per week at the OCE working across the inpatient and outpatient neurorehabilitation services, and one day per week in the local AAC service for adults with acquired difficulties in Oxfordshire.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.

The closing date for this vacancy is Tuesday 3 November 2026.

To read the full job description and apply, visit: Job Advert



4.  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.



5.  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 submit 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]



6.  Voices without Limits – Scotland Communication Club
From the Mentoring Project:

Join us at 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 third 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.



7.  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.