Study Days - Communication Matters

Study Days

STUDY DAYS EXPLORE A SINGLE ASPECT OF AAC AND PROVIDE A GREAT LEARNING OPPORTUNITY.

2025 Study Days

Inspiring New Ways of Thinking About Access to Technology for People with Intellectual Disability – 21 November 2025

Friday, 21st November 9:30-16:00

Irwin Mitchell Offices, Temple, London, EC4Y 0AY

Communication Matters are delighted to partner with a range of leading academic and clinical experts in intellectual disability to host this exciting event.

Professor Annalu Waller and Dr Tom Griffiths – University of Dundee
Dr Ben Simmons – University of Bath
Zoë Clarke and Sally Darley – Barnsley Assistive Technology Team
Ruth Williams – Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust Adult with Learning Disabilities Team
Dr Katherine Broomfield – Cardiff Metropolitan University & North Bristol NHS Trust & Communication Matters
Professor Jill Bradshaw – University of Birmingham

Following on from our previous Study Day in November 2019 (‘Where Next for People with Cognitive Disabilities & Electronic Assistive Technology?), we will offer delegates a range of plenaries and workshops to explore the state of play around existing technology for people with intellectual disability as well as the opportunity to (re)consider how to activate current and future technologies in creative and innovative ways. This is a standalone event and, although drawing on learning from the 2019 event, there is no need for delegates to have attended the previous study day to benefit from this one.

Attendance: £100 for non-members, £90 for members and £75 for AAC users/PAs/family members.

Lunch and refreshments included.

Registration closes on 6 November, or earlier if maximum capacity is met.

Study Day Objectives

Review the history of access to independent control and communication through electronic assistive technologies (EAT) for people with intellectual disabilities to provide the background and context for the day
Learn from the lived experience around independent/inter-dependent control and communication for people with intellectual disabilities about the challenges and benefits to accessing EAT
Raise awareness of aspects of agency, autonomy, and communication that can inform EAT development and practice
Share ideas about how the rapid advancement in technology can offer opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities
Emphasise the importance of people being able to explore technology in order for EAT to evolve to meet their use and/or needs
Identify novel EAT goals for people with intellectual disability and consider the role of technology in achieving these
Influence a shift in practice with this cohort of people – moving beyond traditional EAT concepts


9.30	Registration
10.00 – 10.10	Introduction to day	Zoë Clarke
10.10 – 10.50	Then and now – the technology journey for people with intellectual disabilities	Annalu Waller
10.50 – 11.30	Personhood and agency– rethinking the role of assistive technology from a person-centred perspective	Ben Simmons
11.30 – 11.50	Break
11.50 – 12.10	Technology developments – novel and emerging technologies and the potentials for people with intellectual disabilities	Tom Griffiths, Katherine Broomfield and Zoë Clarke
12.10 – 12.45	Personal experiences and perspectives of ID and technology	Ruth Williams and collaborators
12.45 – 13.45	Lunch
13.45 – 14.15	Interaction and interdependence: shifting away from function and independence based goals	Jill Bradshaw
14.15 – 14.55	Workshop 1 : New roles for technology and areas for developments	Katherine Broomfield and Ruth Williams
14.55 – 15.00	Break
15.00 – 15.45	Workshop 2: How do we influence local decision making in this area?	Sally Darley and Zoë Clarke
15.45 – 16.00	Next steps & Close	Zoë Clarke and Katherine Broomfield

Date: Friday 21st November 2025

Venue: Irwin Mitchell Offices, Temple, London, EC4Y 0AY

Start: 10.00am (registration at 9.30am)
Finish: 4.00pm

Attendance:

£100 for non-members
£90 for members
£75 for AAC users/PAs/family members.

Lunch and refreshments included

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Booking Terms & Conditions

2022 Study Day

Becoming an Aided Communicator (BAC) Study Day – 21 June 2022

The proceedings of the Becoming an Aided Communicator (BAC) Study Day, which took place on 21st June 2022, are now available to purchase in a digital booklet. The booklet is available to anyone with an interest in language development and AAC. The Study Day focused on the language and communication opportunities of children and young people who are learning language using aided communication.

This large summary document (PDF format) includes abstracts, discussion commentary, bibliography, biographies, and a list of existing publications (total 94 pages). It costs £15.00, with all proceeds going to Communication Matters charity. Our sincere thanks to the BAC team for their contribution. You can buy the booklet online below and a link will be emailed to you.

Buy Study Day Booklet

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