1. New in Grid: Create AI Powered Tools With Smart Prompt
2. Cruise Over to Kidz to Adultz South
3. Get Ready for an Unforgettable Experience at the SNAPS Superhero Challenge!
4. Free Webinar – My Voice, My Story: Real-Life AAC Experiences
5. Speech Apraxia and the Speech Process – FREE Online Conference
6. AAC Research Survey – Identifying Gaps in AAC Services for Children: Perspectives from Speech-Language Pathologists
7. I Love You, But it’s Time – A Short Film from Dave Young
8. Support Judy King in Running the London Marathon
News from Communication Matters
9. Glasgow AAC Information Day – Register Now!
10. CM Conference 2026 – Early Bird Registration Open Now!
11. Voices Without Limits – Communication Club Scotland
12. About Friday Announcements
1. New in Grid: Create AI Powered Tools With Smart Prompt
From Hannah Crave, Smartbox:
Smart Prompt is a new online Grid command that helps you use AI to design your own communication tools. Just write a prompt (an instruction for AI) and Smart Prompt generates results that appear directly in your grid.
This isn’t an AI chatbot; it’s a flexible tool that makes Grid easier, faster, and more personal. You’re in control. Tailor your prompts in Grid to craft messages in a way that reflects your writing style, vocabulary and communication preferences. Learn more on our blog.
2. Cruise Over to Kidz to Adultz South
From Kidz to Adultz:
Kidz to Adultz South returns on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, bringing together families, young people, and professionals from across the UK.
The event showcases the latest products, equipment, and services designed to support independence, improve everyday life, and help young people on their journey from childhood to adulthood.
Admission is completely free, and we can’t wait to see you there for a day of inspiration, celebration, and unforgettable live entertainment!
Register for free here.
3. Get Ready for an Unforgettable Experience at the SNAPS Superhero Challenge!
From Eve Holdsworth, SNAPS:
This inclusive, fun run-style event gives children with the chance to feel like superheroes for the day, while raising vital funds for an incredible cause.
Date: Sunday, 31 May 2026
Time: 10.30am to 12.30pm
Location: John Charles Centre for Sport, Middleton Grove, Leeds
All ages and abilities are welcome! Children can walk, run, or wheel* around the 400m athletics track, cheered on by supporters, and cross the finish line to receive their very own Superhero Challenge medal. Each child sets their own distance goal – whether it’s half a lap, a full lap, or as many as they can manage!
But that’s just the start! The day will be packed with accessible, family-friendly activities, including:
- Superhero meet & greet
- Bouncy castle
- Inflatable soft play
- Fire brigade and police visits
- Face painting
- Craft and sensory play
- Inclusive sport
- Games and lots more surprises!
*Wheelchairs, walkers, and pushchairs welcome.
To find out more and get your tickets, click here.
4. Free Webinar – My Voice, My Story: Real-Life AAC Experiences
From ATiA:
Join us for this exciting free webinar taking place 22 April, My Voice, My Story: Real-Life AAC Experiences. AAC users will share their lived experiences of discovering, developing, and expressing their voices through assistive technology during this 90-minute session, including time for Q&A.
Panellists Brooke Brown, Martín Bedouret, and Beth Moulam reflect on the role AAC plays in identity, autonomy, and connection. Moderated by 2026 Prentke Lecturer Mateo Moreno with Angela Standridge, this session is centred on lived experience and inclusive practice.
Date & Time: 22 April, 3pm ET/7pm GMT
CEUs: ASHA and IACET CEUs available
Registration: This webinar is free for all at www.atia.org/webinar
ASL interpreters and captioning will be provided. A recording of the webinar will be posted in the ATiA Learning Center within 24 hours of the event taking place.
5. Speech Apraxia and the Speech Process – FREE Online Conference
From Ruth Rowntree, Speech Apraxia UK:
Speech Apraxia UK is pleased to be hosting a FREE full-day online mini conference, Speech Apraxia and the Speech Process, on 26 May from 9.30am to 4.00pm. This global event brings together international experts to share research, clinical experience and perspectives on Childhood Apraxia of Speech.
The programme includes a keynote from Professor Angela Morgan on the genetic basis of childhood apraxia of speech, alongside sessions on clinical analysis, speech practice, and therapy approaches from around the world. Speakers include Ruth Rowntree, Dr Nicole Whitworth, Julia Chauvet, Ricki Block, Professor Omar Mustafa and Dr Rosie Woods.
To learn more and register for this event, click here.
6. AAC Research Survey – Identifying Gaps in AAC Services for Children: Perspectives from Speech-Language Pathologists
From Lauren Denusik, Western University Canada:
Western University researchers are inviting speech and language therapists (SLTs) working with children and youth in general practice contexts (e.g. those with varied populations in treatment centres, school boards, private practice, hospitals), and specialized AAC clinics, to complete a 30 minute survey about their experiences being trained for and using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in practice.
The results will inform the development of the resources to support SLTs.
Click here to learn more and to take part in the survey.
7. I Love You, But it’s Time – A Short Film from Dave Young
From Dave Young, The Shouting Mute:
I Love You, But It’s Time comes from a place that’s very personal to me – exploring love, independence, and the push and pull between support and letting go, from the perspective of an AAC user. The film was created as part of the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge.
It’s also connected to my work with The Shouting Mute, where we create productions led by disabled voices to challenge perceptions and open up conversations around communication and lived experience.
It would mean a lot to me if you’d consider watching and sharing, and I’d really love to hear what you think.
Watch ‘I Love You, But It’s Time’ here.
8. Support Judy King in Running the London Marathon
From Judy King, 1Voice:
Judy King, an Independent AAC Consultant Speech and Language Therapist, is running the London Marathon for 1Voice, and needs your support!
1Voice is a charity that aims to reduce the social isolation that being unable to speak can bring, by building a strong community of AAC users, and helping older members stand as role models for new families just starting out in the world of AAC.
The funds raised will be used to help 1Voice put on their many social events, including the national residential weekend, support their role models and volunteers, and continue to expand their branch network to help AAC users and their families.
To donate to this great cause and cheer Judy on, click here.
9. Glasgow AAC Information Day – Register Now!
We’re delighted to be heading to Glasgow once more for the CM AAC Information Day 2026. This AAC Information Day is a product demonstration day supported and presented by our Commercial Members from the UK’s leading suppliers of communication aids, equipment, software and symbol systems.
The day consists of five sessions which provide information and offer up-to-date knowledge on the range of AAC products available in the UK. There will also be an exhibition period where you can try out products.
Date: Wednesday 6 May 2026.
Venue: Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel, Beardmore Street, Clydebank, Glasgow, G81 4SA.
Cost: FREE to attend! Lunch & refreshments are provided.
The suppliers attending the information day include Tobii Dynavox, Liberator, Smartbox, Acapela Group, Abilia, and Jabbla.
Bookings close on 17 April, so do book now to secure your attendance! If you have any questions, please contact the CM office at [email protected]
10. CM Conference 2026 – Early Bird Registration Open Now!
Join us in Leeds on 13-15 September 2026 for an exciting event packed full of informative presentations, inspiring stories and insight into the advancing world of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
Our conference offers a diverse programme of events that brings AAC users, their families and carers together with researchers, professionals and suppliers to learn, network, socialise and celebrate.
Early bird conference delegate registrations are now open, with the discounted ticket rate available until 29 June 2026.
Book your place now to not miss out on this great deal!
11. Voices Without Limits – Communication Club Scotland
The registrations for the first Communication Club session in Scotland have now closed, but there is a waiting list and another club session planned for later this spring/early summer.
For more information, contact Verity at [email protected]
Communication Club Scotland:
10.30am – 12.30pm, Thursday 16 April 2026
Corseford College, India of Inchinnan, Inchinnan PA4 9LH
12. 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).
