Friday Announcements – 8 August 2025

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1. New Predictable Training Video!
2. Welsh Language AAC
3. Research Recruitment: AAC Use in Psychological Therapy for People with Learning Disabilities
4. New Book! Working with AAC
5. SENDiVERSE Festival 2025 – Planning and Consultation Sessions

News from Communication Matters
6. CM2025 International AAC Conference – Final Week to Register!
7. CM Peer Support and Mentoring Project – Opportunities to Assist with Project Development
8. About Friday Announcements

 

1. New Predictable Training Video!

From Namrata Alandkar, Therapy Box Ltd:

We’ve just released a brand new, in-depth training video covering everything you need to know about using Predictable. Whether you’re a new user or looking to get the most out of the latest features, this video is for you!

Find it here: https://youtu.be/UkLvzBku1mE?si=HLWwBBsgyg7hpckx

 

2. Welsh Language AAC

From Olivia Ffion Berry, Manchester Metropolitan University:

My name is Olivia and I’m currently studying for a Master’s in Speech and Language Therapy at Manchester Metropolitan University. I’m interested in Welsh language AAC and am looking at conducting research on this for my dissertation.

I’m beginning to develop my research question and explore current provision of and access to aided, electric AAC devices to Welsh speakers. I would like to know if there are any Welsh language AAC users that would be happy to take part in this research or be happy to provide me with some information that could help me build my knowledge of the current provision available.

Any information you have around Welsh language AAC, its use, and any groups for Welsh speaking users would be greatly appreciated. In particular, I am interested in the following areas:

  • Availability and accessibility of Welsh language AAC devices
  • Devices that facilitate the Welsh language
  • What the process of getting a Welsh language device would look like

If you have any questions about my intended research or would like to know more, please contact me at [email protected].

I look forward to hearing from you!

 

3. Research Recruitment: AAC Use in Psychological Therapy for People with Learning Disabilities

From Zoé Barr, Canterbury Christ Church University:

This research aims to explore what it’s like to use communication aids in psychological therapy for people with a learning disability. I would like to interview both clients and professionals about their experiences.

Who Can Take Part?

AAC users who:

  • Are aged 18 or over
  • Are eligible for learning disabilities services
  • Use communication aids as their primary method of communication or to support natural speech
  • Have used communication aids in an appointment with a psychological professional

Professionals who:

  • Are aged 18 or over
  • Are qualified psychological professionals (e.g. clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, counselling psychologists, behavioural practitioners, psychiatrists)
  • Have directly worked with someone who uses communication aids and is eligible for learning disabilities services

What’s Involved?

  • A screening meeting to discuss eligibility, reasonable adjustments and answer any questions you might have.
  • An interview (around 1 to 2 hours).
  • Some participants may be invited for a follow-up interview.

These links offer more information for:

Please get in contact by emailing [email protected] if you have any questions or are interested in taking part.

 

4. New Book! Working with AAC

From Helen Robinson, Barnsley Assistive Technology Team:

Available to pre-order now and released on the 13th August 2025!

‘Working with AAC: A Guide for Supporting Augmentative and Alternative Communication Users’ demystifies the world of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in speech and language therapy, explaining key terminology and guiding clinicians through the research underpinning successful clinical practice. Spanning a range of clinical groups and all ages, it introduces a holistic framework to support clinicians along the journey from assessment to implementation. Key features include:

  • Current research and evidence-based practice broken down into accessible chunks
  • Clear, easy to read explanations of the components of AAC systems and their importance
  • An insight into the challenges faced when supporting AAC users and solutions to overcome these
  • The voices of aided communicators woven throughout, re-telling their experiences and how clinicians can best support them to use AAC
  • Photocopiable clinical resources, including assessment checklists and advice sheets for families and people who use AAC

Rooted in lived experience, this book suggests practical solutions for supporting a person to have a positive experience of being an aided communicator. It is an invaluable resource for experienced clinicians, speech and language therapists and allied professionals, as well as those new to the world of AAC both now and in years to come.

 

5. SENDiVERSE Festival 2025 – Planning and Consultation Sessions

From Andrea Dean, The Leap:

Join us in shaping and taking part in SENDiVERSE Festival 2025 – Bradford’s first district-wide celebration of inclusive creativity, led by and for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families.

SENDiVERSE : Monday 27th to Friday 31st October, with a flagship “Big Bang” celebration on Saturday 1st November.

This ambitious new festival will centre on the needs of SEND children and young people and families, delivered through inclusive arts events, workshops, performances, and storytelling activities across the district.

Join our planning and consultation sessions

To make this a truly co-created festival, we are holding six consultation sessions between 14th and 22nd August.  Book your space now using the following link: SENDiVERSE

These sessions will be an opportunity to share your ideas, explore how your organisation can take part, and learn about support for hosting inclusive events.

We are inviting contributions from Special provision schools, SEND support providers, Cultural Organisations, Youth Services, Health and Care Providers, Family Support Networks, and both formal and informal community groups who are passionate about inclusive practice and creative expression.

For more information: Email: [email protected] or contact Ibrar Ali on 07702 210910 or Stuart Blackburn on 07787 525427.

 

6. CM2025 International AAC Conference – Final Week to Register!

Registration is open for one more week, but we wanted to highlight some exciting changes and additions taking place this year.

One notable change is the conference being shortened to two days. We will open the main conference on Monday 8th September at 9AM and close at 4PM Tuesday the 9th. While this means a slightly shorter conference than previous years, we have worked hard to consolidate the programme to offer better value with events on either side. These include:

  • Pre-Conference Relaxed Exhibition: on the afternoon of 7th September, we will be providing a time for conference delegates and the community who need a quieter and less busy space to meet with suppliers. This is a free optional event for those who wish to add it to their delegate package. Tickets will also be available to people not attending conference.
  • AAC Awards: on the evening of 8th September, we will be hosting our biennial event celebrating all forms of communication, the people who use AAC, the professionals, families and suppliers that support them. Being held at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, we are certain the awards, dinner and dancing will prove to be a fun and exciting night for all! This event is included in the full delegate registration price. It can be added to one-day and exhibition-only delegates at an additional price. Tickets will also be available to people not attending conference.
  • Post-Conference Research Study Day: this additional day on 10th September is open to conference delegates and others who are interested in research focused strands delivered by an international cohort of researchers and academics. This event can be added to all delegate packages at an additional price. Tickets will also be available to people not attending conference.

Changes to accommodation 

In another effort to offer choice and value, there are now options available for conference delegates to choose accommodation. When going through the registration process you can add on-campus accommodation at Storm Jameson, which will be added to the full conference delegate rate. You can also choose to opt-out and stay elsewhere. We have teamed up with Conference Leeds to offer delegates preferential rates at hotels within Leeds for your convenience.

Bookings close on 15th August. See prices and book online here.

 

7. CM Peer Support and Mentoring Project – Opportunities to Assist with Project Development

Communication Matters has some funding, as part of the National Lottery Peer Support & Mentoring Project, for freelance practitioners and AAC users to help with project delivery.

Examples of activities may include (but are not limited to) promotion of the project, developing resources, presenting training and information sessions. You can find out more about the project here.

Please note that work allocated is on a freelance basis and that we will require evidence of insurances (public liability and professional indemnity), an up-to-date DBS check and evidence of self-employment with HMRC.

Hourly rates are negotiable depending on experience and qualifications.

If you are interested in finding out more, please send your CV to Verity Elliott, [email protected].

There is no closing date as this opportunity is offered on an individual basis and is open for the duration / availability of the project funding.

 

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).