Celebrating 40 Years of Communication Matters
Royal Armouries, Leeds | 14 September 2026
We are celebrating Communication Matters’ 40th anniversary at the Royal Armouries on Monday 14 September and look forward to seeing many members, AAC users, families, friends and AAC professionals joining us for a fabulously fun and friendly evening.
Buy Tickets Here
The Celebratory Dinner is part of the International AAC Conference programme, however, non-delegates may also join the party.
Delegates to this year’s Communication Matters International AAC Conference will be able to confirm their tickets to the Celebratory Dinner as part of their complete Delegate package.
Please book your Delegate ticket(s) here or by clicking the button below.
Alternatively, if you do NOT plan to attend the Conference as a delegate, you are welcome to join us at the Celebratory Dinner by buying Dinner Only ticket(s) here or by clicking the button below.
Sign our History of CM book
We have so much to celebrate. We are updating the History of Communication Matters book to capture the achievements and progress of the past 40 years as we have worked together to break down barriers for AAC users.
To help offset the price of the publication of this special anniversary edition, we are inviting members and supporters to add their own celebratory messages to the book.
You are warmly invited to include a message:
A short message of up to 40 words (for example “Congratulations CM – 40 years of improving communication. From the Smith Family“) is £50.
If you would like to write something longer about CM’s impact, a message of up to 100 words is £75.
A short message of up to 40 words (for example “Congratulations CM – 40 years of improving communication. From the Smith Family“) is £50.
If you would like to write something longer about CM’s impact, a message of up to 100 words is £75.
Submit photos for the 40th Anniversary Book
Photos help us tell a richer and more meaningful story. If you have images that capture moments from Communication Matters’ journey over the past 40 years, we would be delighted if you would share them for possible inclusion in the History of Communication Matters, at our 40th Anniversary Celebration, or on CM’s social media channels.
You can upload your photos, along with brief descriptions and your permission for us to use them, using the form linked below. These might include snapshots from CM events, conferences or meetings.
The form includes space for captions and helpful details such as names, places, AAC methods or other context.
Thank you for contributing your photos and helping us celebrate and share the story of AAC and Communication Matters with a wider audience!
Fancy Dress: 1986
Join us as we step back to 1986, the year Communication Matters began its mission to break down barriers in AAC. The dress code is 1986‑inspired, but it’s entirely optional … you can skip it altogether, give a subtle nod to the theme, or go all out!
Take inspiration from the fashion, culture, colours, or energy of the mid‑’80s, or interpret the theme in your own imaginative way. Whether you choose something simple, clever, bold, or completely re‑invented, we can’t wait to see how you bring 1986 to life.
Have fun, be creative, and join us in celebrating the spirit of the decade in whatever way feels right for you!
Fancy dress in 2024
We last enjoyed a fancy dress theme at Communication Matters International AAC Conference 2024. Our amazing delegates, speakers and trustes brought plenty of big hair, vibrant neons and creativity to the party. Let’s do it again in September 2026!
