This page shares details of upcoming Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Study Days.
STUDY DAY : Friday 21 November 2025
‘Inspiring New Ways of Thinking About Access to Technology for People with Cognitive Disability’
Friday, 21st November, 9:30-16:00, at Irwin Mitchell offices, Temple, London, EC4Y 0AY
Communication Matters is delighted to partner with a range of leading academic and clinical experts in cognitive disability to host this exciting event.
- Professor Annalu Waller, University of Dundee
- Dr Tom Griffiths, University of Dundee
- Dr Ben Simmons, University of Bath
- Zoë Clarke, Barnsley Assistive Technology Team
- Sally Darley, Barnsley Assistive Technology Team
- Ruth Williams, Guys and St Thomas’ Assistive Communication Service
- Dr Katherine Broomfield. Cardiff Metropolitan University & North Bristol NHS Trust & Communication Matters
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.
Events Policies
- Click for details of our Booking Terms & Conditions – Cancellation Policy.
- Click for details of our Expenses Policy.
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
Itinerary
09.30 – 10.00 Registration and tea/coffee
10.00 Introduction to the day, Zoë Clarke
10.10 Then and now – the technology journey for people with intellectual disabilities, Annalu Waller
10.50 Personhood and agency– rethinking the role of assistive technology from a person-centred perspective, Ben Simmons
14.15 – 14.55 Workshop 1 : New roles for technology and areas for developments, Katherine Broomfield, 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, Zoë Clarke
15.45 – 16.00 Next steps & Close, Zoë Clarke, Katherine Broomfield
BAC Study Day Booklet
We are pleased to let you know that the proceedings from the Communication Matters 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 here and a link will be emailed to you.