This page shares the Conference Programme for September 2026. It is subject to change as speakers and events are confirmed in the weeks prior to Conference. Please note that only the Presenting Authors are listed on the timetable. All Co-Authors will be listed in the Book of Abstracts.
Conference Delegates will receive details of our CM Conference App and Website to guide them through our Limitless Communication streams, meetings and events.
SUNDAY 13 SEPTEMBER, 13:00 - 19:00
Pre-Conference
Session | Speaker/Event | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
13:00 – 14:00 | Virtual Annual Meeting of Associate Members | Online | |
14:30 – 17:00 | AAC User Workshop | Riley Smith Theatre | |
14:30 – 17:00 | Relaxed Exhibition | Refectory | |
18:00 – 19:00 | AAC User / Trustee Dinner | Refectory |
MONDAY 14 SEPTEMBER: Conference Opens, 09:00 - 11:30
CONFERENCE OPENS
Time | Conference Opens | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
09:00 – 11.30 | Registration with Tea / Coffee | LUU Foyer | |
11:10 – 18:00 | Exhibition Open. Posters Displayed 10:30 – 17:00 | Refectory & LUU Foyer | |
09:30 – 10:00 | MEETING 1: Newbie’s Icebreaker Meeting. | Esther Simpson, LG08 | |
For everyone attending Communication Matters’ Conference for the first time, please come along and meet others. Hosted by Helen Hewson and Saffron Murphy-Mann, Trustees. | |||
10:00 – 10:10 | WELCOME: Andrea Sharples, Chair of Communication Matters | Esther Simpson, LG08 | |
10:15 – 11:00 | KEYNOTE: Jeff Higginbotham, Looking at AAC Through Time and Interaction | Esther Simpson, LG08 |
MONDAY 14 SEPTEMBER: Session 1, 11:15 - 12:00
Session 1
SESSION 1: 11:15 – 12:00 | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|
1.1 | Personal Stories and Case Studies | Michael Sadler, LG10 | |
More than words: How AAC opened the door to dreams and decisions.
Lachlan Barsby | |||
1.2 | Best Research Evidence | Michael Sadler, LG19 | |
Evaluating FunVis: A Functional Vision Assessment for Non-Vision Specialists Working with Children with Cerebral Palsy
Michael T. Clarke, Tom Griffiths, Jenefer Sargent, John Swettenham | |||
1.3 | Personal Stories and Case Studies | Michael Sadler, LG10 | |
Limitless and Limiting?: My daughter’s access to communication, tools, teaching, time and togetherness
Joanna Holmes – Mummy vs AAC | |||
1.4 | Exhibitor Presentation:
| Clothworkers South, G11a&b | |
Giving Voice to Identity: Ethical AI for Preserving, Creating, and Expanding Access to Personal Speech with My-Own-Voice
Nicolas Mazars – Acapela | |||
1.5 | Exhibitor Presentation | Clothworkers South, G14 | |
Making Assistive Technology Universally Discoverable. A natural language platform to support the growth of AT, its adoption and the role disabled people play in its success
Hector Minto, Lee Blemings – Kerbcut | |||
1.6 | Clinical and Professional Service Delivery – Workshop | Stage@Leeds, Stage 1 | |
Musketeers for AAC, Filmmaking and Story-sharing!
Mascha Legel, Jelle van Kleef, Chris Norrie, Annalu Waller, Nicola Grove, Gloria Soto | |||
1.7 | SUPPLIERS STRAND: ASSISTIVEWARE | Stage@Leeds, Dance Studio | |
Co-constructing Communication with Emergent AAC Users: An Interactive Workshop
Euan Robertson, Rachael Langley, Erin Sheldon – AssistiveWare | |||
1.8 | Personal Stories and Case Studies | Stage@Leeds, Alec Clegg Studio | |
“Just Because I Can’t Talk, Doesn’t Mean I Don’t Understand” by Harchie Sagoo
Bob Sagoo – The Harchie Way | |||
12:30 – 13:30 | POSTER SESSION: Posters will be displayed in the LUU foyer. Cast your vote. Lunch will be available in the Refectory. | Refectory & LUU Foyer |
MONDAY 14 SEPTEMBER: Session 2, 13:20 - 14:05
Session 2
SESSION 2: 13:20 – 14:05 | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|
2.1.2 | Personal Stories and Case Studies | Michael Sadler, LG10 | |
AAC and multimodality.
Llinos Mock – NHS Wales | |||
2.1.3 | Best Research Evidence | Michael Sadler, LG10 | |
What factors make AAC limitless
Dr Beth Moulam – University of York | |||
2.2 | Personal Stories and Case Studies | Michael Sadler, LG15 | |
Limitless communication: A dual perspective on augmentative and alternative communication through lived experience and professional practice
Zoe David – Liberator | |||
2.3 | Clinical and Professional Service Delivery | Michael Sadler, LG19 | |
Recognising Overlooked AAC Skills Through Technology-Driven Multimodal Communication
Amy Besecker – Tobii Dynavox | |||
2.4 | Exhibitor Presentation:
| Clothworkers South, G11a&b | |
Introducing Evo Intelligent eye tracking designed around real-world AAC use
Mathias Anhalt, Rebecca Atkinson-Coyle, Oliver Waite – Smartbox | |||
2.5 | Exhibitor Presentation | Clothworkers South, G14 | |
Rehadapt and Engineering Excellence: How Thoughtful Mounting Design Enables Reliable AAC Access Across the Whole Day
Shaun McCormack – Rehadapt | |||
2.6 | Best Research Evidence – Workshop | Stage@Leeds, Stage 1 | |
Expanding Global Access to Professional Learning Through User-Led Online Education
Tracy Rackensperger, Lance McLemore, David McNaughton | |||
2.7 | SUPPLIERS STRAND: ASSISTIVEWARE | Stage@Leeds, Dance Studio | |
It’s not about Mastery: Writing Quality Goals for Emergent Communicators
Rachael Langley, Erin Sheldon, Euan Robertson – AssistiveWare | |||
2.8 | Clinical and Professional Service Delivery | Stage@Leeds, Alec Clegg Studio | |
Talkin’ Tricky Bodies. Developing Communication Partner Skills to support conversations about pain, fatigue and emotions
Amy Neville – The Pace Centre |
MONDAY 14 SEPTEMBER: Session 3, 14:15 - 15:00
Session 3
SESSION 3: 14:15 – 15:00 | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|
3.1 | Personal Stories and Case Studies | Michael Sadler, LG10 | |
Communicating Choices _ An AAC User’s experience to making complex choices when they have very minimal movement
Dan Stanton, Marion Stanton CandLE, Steve Halse , Ian Malinson | |||
3.2 | Best Research Evidence | Michael Sadler, LG15 | |
Good Grief, Good Death, Good Life: Meeting the Communication Needs of Grieving Neurodivergent Individuals
Ally Pax Arcari Mair – University of Edinburgh | |||
3.3 | Clinical & Professional Service Delivery | Michael Sadler, LG19 | |
The Assistive Technology Butterfly Effect – Small choices can shape a lifetime
Craig Brown – ATtherapy | |||
3.5 | Exhibitor Presentation | Clothworkers South, G14 | |
Accent 1400 to the Next Generation: Supporting Confident AAC Transitions and new possibilities
Mick Davies, Amy Smyth, Jenny Lawrence – Liberator | |||
3.6 | Clinical & Professional Service Delivery – Workshop
| Stage@Leeds, Stage 1 | |
Coaching Without Limits: a workshop exploring effective coaching methods for communication partner training
Kate Reader, Deborah Little, Kate Laws – ATtherapy | Stage@Leeds, Stage 1 | ||
Expanding Global Access to Professional Learning Through User-Led Online Education
Tracy Rackensperger, Lance McLemore, David McNaughton | |||
3.7 | SUPPLIERS STRAND: ASSISTIVEWARE | Stage@Leeds, Dance Studio | |
Is Modelling Enough? – Balancing Implicit and Explicit Instruction in AAC
Euan Robertson, Rachael Langley, Erin Sheldon – AssistiveWare | |||
2.8 | Clinical and Professional Service Delivery | Stage@Leeds, Alec Clegg Studio | |
Developing Supportive Communication Environments in Education: A Multidisciplinary Appreciative Inquiry in Fife
Cordelia Manson – FFACT | |||
15:00 – !5:30 | POSTER SESSION: Posters will be displayed in the LUU foyer. Tea and coffee will be available. Cast your vote. | Refectory & LUU Foyer |
MONDAY 14 SEPTEMBER: Session 4, 15:30 - 16:15
Session 4
SESSION 4: 15:30 – 16:15 | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|
4.1 | Personal Stories and Case Studies | Michael Sadler, LG10 | |
Beyond fear of becoming locked in – using technology to survive loss of vision and dexterity as a full time AAC user
AlexGowing Cumber | |||
4.2 | Clinical & Professional Service Delivery | Michael Sadler, LG15 | |
4.2.1 | Embedding Robust Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) for All: A Whole-School Journey Using Partner Assisted Scanning
Aoife McCaffrey – The Craighalbert Centre/ SCCMI | ||
4.2.2 | Literacy Without Limits: Building a National Alliance for Inclusive Literacy
Chantel Bryan – Teach Us Too | ||
4.2.5 | Developing a method for enhancing autonomy through AAC: Supporting autonomy and self-determination in individuals with Rett syndrome
Gerna G. Scholte – AAC Centre of Expertise, Netherlands | ||
4.2.6 | Getting Chatty with WordPower for the UK with Widgit!
Nancy Inman, Darlette Navrotski, Lisa Timm – Inman Innovations, Inc | ||
Meeting 2 | Parents Social – Short Welcome Meeting for Parents | Michael Sadler, LG19 | |
4.5 | Exhibitor Presentation | Clothworkers South, G14 | |
Beyond the Device: Connecting the Pieces of Powered AAC
Dee Osmond – Tobii Dynavox | |||
4.6 | Best Research Evidence
| Stage@Leeds, Stage 1 | |
Developing an AI-Enabled Tool to Support Language Learning by Children who use Speech Generating Devices: Lessons Learned and Challenges Ahead
Michael Clarke, Syed Billah, Richard He, Ehtesham Ul-Haque, Gloria Soto | Stage@Leeds, Stage 1 | ||
4.7 | SUPPLIERS STRAND: ASSISTIVEWARE | Stage@Leeds, Dance Studio | |
Increasing learning opportunities for all students: a hands-on iPad workshop
Erin Sheldon, Rachael Langley, Euan Robertson | |||
4.8 | Clinical and Professional Service Delivery | Stage@Leeds, Alec Clegg Studio | |
Pioneering AAC Access in Georgia: A Newly Established Model for Specialized Consulting Services in Schools
Sopio Nadiradze – Ministry of Education of Georgia |
MONDAY 14 SEPTEMBER: Session 5, 16:25 - 17:10
Session 5
SESSION 5: 16:25 – 17:10 | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|
5.1 | Clinical and Professional Service Delivery | Michael Sadler, LG10 | |
A Critique of Facilitated Communication From an AAC User’s Perspective
Lance McLemore – AAC User | |||
5.2 | Best Research Evidence | Michael Sadler, LG15 | |
Experiences of Augmentative and Alternative Communication use in School
Ciara Byrnes, Geraldine Moran, Dr. Michael T. Clarke, Dr. Jessica Caron, Dr. Emma Smith, Prof. Rose Galvin, Dr. Aoife Gallagher – University of Limerick | |||
5.3 | Best Research Evidence | Michael Sadler, LG19 | |
From Hype to Help: Building Responsible AI Service Guidance for AAC Professionals
Francesca Sephton – ATtherapy | |||
5.5 | Exhibitor Presentation | Clothworkers South, G14 | |
Jabbla UK – Entering a New Chapter
Ian Foulger – Jabbla UK | |||
5.6 | Best Research Evidence – Workshop
| Stage@Leeds, Stage 1 | |
I-ASC, You-ASC, We All-ASC: A practical session exploring collaborative AAC decision-making across the lifespan
Katy Latham , Yvonne Lynch, Amy Boatwright , Matthew Davidson , Thea McIntosh , Stuart Meredith , Helen Whittle , Janice Murray | Stage@Leeds, Stage 1 | ||
4.7 | SUPPLIERS STRAND: ASSISTIVEWARE | Stage@Leeds, Dance Studio | |
Teaching Generative Language Through Therapy Routines
Rachael Langley, Erin Sheldon, Euan Robertson – AssistiveWare | |||
4.8 | Clinical and Professional Service Delivery | Stage@Leeds, Alec Clegg Studio | |
Informal leadership and the commissioning of local AAC services in England: Exploring perceptions of influence and priority
Suzanne Martin – Ace Centre |
MONDAY 14 SEPTEMBER: Dinner, 18:30 - 23:00
40th Anniversary Celebratory Dinner
Time | Conference Opens | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
18:30 | Travel from University of Leeds to Royal Armouries | ||
18:30 | Drinks Reception | Royal Armouries | |
19:30 | 40th Anniversary Celebratory Dinner. Featuring Lee Ridley, DJs and 1986 Fancy Dress (optional). | Royal Armouries | |
23:00 | Carriages |
TUESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER: FINAL WORDS 09:00 - 10:00
FINAL WORDS
Time | Conference Opens | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
09:00 – 09:10 | FINAL WORDS: Andrea Sharples, Chair of Communication Matters | Esther Simpson, LG08 | |
09:10 – 10:00 | PLENARY: Gavin Clifton; The Disabled Writer: Children’s author, inspirational speaker, disability advocate, lyricist. | Esther Simpson, LG08 |
TUESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER: SESSION 6, 10:15 - 11:00
Session 6
SESSION 6: 10:15 – 11:00 | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|
6.1 | Best Research Evidence | Michael Sadler, LG10 | |
C smiles in Practice: An Early Service-Evaluation of a Co-Produced AAC Intervention for Special Education Settings
Laura Hrastelj, Jo Clark, Yvonne Wren | |||
6.2.1 | Best Research Evidence | Michael Sadler, LG15 | |
Designing an AAC Language System for a Morphologically Rich Minoritised Language: The development of Geabaire the first symbols-based AAC app for Irish | |||
6.2.2 | Best Research Evidence | Michael Sadler, LG15 | |
Applying the Rights of the Talker
Andrea Lee, Danielle Diver – Barnsley Assistive Technology | |||
6.2.3 | Clinical & Professional Service Delivery | Michael Sadler, LG15 | |
AAC Support – A Creative Approach
Bethany Cook – Kent Community Health Foundation Trust | |||
6.2.4 | Clinical & Professional Service Delivery | Michael Sadler, LG15 | |
Beyond the either or: Open access technology for integrated augmentative and alternative communication and motor speech intervention in childhood apraxia of speech
Shabana Tariq – The Shri Ram School | |||
6.2.5 | Clinical & Professional Service Delivery | Michael Sadler, LG15 | |
Bilingualism and Augmentative and Alternative Communication: a case study
Rachael Baltrusaite – CUH NHS Foundation Trust | |||
6.2.6 | Personal Stories & Case Studies | Michael Sadler, LG15 | |
AAC as communication, not an accommodation: Making AAC central in family life
Hayley Leonard | |||
6.3 | Best Research Evidence | Michael Sadler, LG19 | |
Understanding ‘Inconsistent’ AAC Use in Adult Social Care: A Realist- Informed Study of Everyday Practice
Katie Dooley Cawley, Simon Hackett, Katherine Broomfield, Helen Stringer | |||
6.4 | Exhibitor Presentation | Clothworkers South, G11a&b | |
Exploring Children’s Views about Play using Talking Mats
Laura Holmes – Talking Mats | |||
6.5 | Exhibitor Presentation
| Clothworkers South, G14 | |
AAGI: Augmentative and Alternative Gesture Interface Ver.2
Ikushi Yoda – AIST | |||
6.6 | Clinical & Professional Service Delivery – Workshop | Stage@Leeds, Dance Studio | |
GenAI in AAC systems: Developing approaches to using GenAI enabled AT and AAC systems in exam contexts
Rohan Slaughter, Tom Griffiths – University of Dundee, Saffron Murphy-Mann – SaffMannAAC | |||
6.7 | Supplier Strand Tobii Dynavox | Stage@Leeds, Alec Clegg Studio | |
Mounting Made Easy: Rehadapt’s Virtual Mounting Service in Practice
Shaun McCormack – Rehadapt | |||
Refreshment Break 11:00 – 11:30 | |||
Meeting 3 | LOCAL SERVICE MEETING: Grab a drink and head up to the mezzanine. Hosted by Kath Broomfield | Refectory Mezzanine | |
Meeting 4 | AAC USERS MEETING: The CM AAC User Focus Group are hosting coffee during break time – All AAC Users are very welcome to come along! Tea/coffee will be provided in the room. Hosted by Helen Hewson, Beth Moulam | Michael Sadler, LG10 |
TUESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER: SESSION 7, 11:40 - 12:25
Session 7
SESSION 7: 11:40 – 12:25 | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|
7.1.1 | Clinical & Professional Service Delivery | Michael Sadler, LG10 | |
Developing AI features WITH AAC users: A participatory approach
Will Wade – Smartbox | |||
7.1.2 | Personal Stories & Case Studies | Michael Sadler, LG10 | |
Don’t. Walk. Away.: A Young Researcher’s Continuing Work to Improve AAC Support in Schools
Esme Lewis-Tubb – Education Ysgol Y Deri | |||
7.2 | Clinical & Professional Service Delivery | Michael Sadler, LG15 | |
How does early play for the AAC user underpin lifelong effective communication?
Tom McDonald – AAC and Me Ltd, Dr Beth Moulam | |||
7.3 | Best Research Evidence | Michael Sadler, LG19 | |
Limitless Technology, Limitless Potential: Eye Gaze Assistive Technology for Wellbeing and Quality of Life
Sarah Dunn – University of Leeds | |||
7.5 | Exhibitor Presentation | Clothworkers South, G14 | |
Cultivating Growth: Embedding Coaching and Mentoring Across AAC and AT Services
Rachel Stevens, Tina Voizey, Suzanne Martin, Natasha Kay – ACE Centre | |||
7.6 | Personal Stories & Case Studies | Stage@Leeds, Stage 1 | |
Treating People With Respect in Healthcare: Eliminating Stereotypes
Tracy Rackensperger – University of Georgia | |||
7.7 | EXHIBITOR STRAND TOBII DYNAVOX | Stage@Leeds, Dance Studio | |
Implementing AAC with Confidence: Free Resources and Support for Schools
Dee Osmond – Tobii Dynavox | |||
7.8 | Best Research Evidence | Stage@Leeds, Alec Clegg Studio | |
A network perspective on communicative competence in AAC
Myrthe Vermeiden, Stijn R.J.M. Deckers – Radboud University | |||
Lunch Break 12:25 – 13:25 |
TUESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER: SESSION 8, 13:35 - 14:20
Session 8
SESSION 8: 13:35 – 14:20 | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|
8.1 | Clinical & Professional Service Delivery | Michael Sadler, LG10 | |
Limitless freedom of communication for individuals whilst ensuring privacy and independence in a world dominated by Big Tech
Rachel Clare – Lincolnshire Community Healthcare Services NHS | |||
8.2 | Best Research Evidence | Michael Sadler, LG15 | |
Clinical action: how do we support adults with acquired communication disability in AAC-mediated interaction?
Amy Hanschell – University of Dundee | |||
8.3 | Clinical & Professional Service Delivery | Michael Sadler, LG19 | |
A new framework for the dynamic assessment and implementation of AAC
Alice Wakefield – AAC West of England Specialist Team | |||
8.4 | Exhibitor Presentation | Clothworkers South, G14 | |
CALL Scotland Communication, Access, Literacy and Learning for children and young people with Additional Support Needs
Claire Harrison – CALL Scotland | |||
8.6 | Personal Stories & Case Studies | Stage@Leeds, Stage 1 | |
Taboo or not Taboo, that is the question, Empowering AAC users with unrestricted vocabulary
Jamie Preece, Becky Tyler | |||
8.7 | EXHIBITOR STRAND TOBII DYNAVOX | Stage@Leeds, Dance Studio | |
Future Directions in AAC: A Panel Discussion with Tobii Dynavox, Acapela, and Rehadapt
Dee Osmond – Tobii Dynavox | |||
8.8 | Best Research Evidence | Stage@Leeds, Alec Clegg Studio | |
Evaluating Early Reading Skills: Intervention Effects and Test Validation for AAC Users with Intellectual Disabilities
Line Britt Ulriksen , Marthe Bilet-Mossige – Østfold University College |
TUESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER: SESSION 9, 14:30 - 15:15
Session 9
SESSION 9: 14:30 – 15:15 | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|
9.1 | Personal Stories & Case Studies | Michael Sadler, LG10 | |
Learning From Each Other: AAC, Mentoring and Meaningful Futures
Verity Elliot – Communication Matters, Becky Tyler | |||
9.2 | Clinical & Professional Service Delivery | Michael Sadler, LG15 | |
Strengthening the connection between AAC and Assistive Technology: Emerging themes and a new planning tool
Fil McIntyre – Techability, Tina Voizey | |||
9.3 | Clinical & Professional Service Delivery | Michael Sadler, LG19 | |
Evaluating the effectiveness of the Talking Mats Licenced Trainer model in children’s social care practice
Helen Grenfell, Cheryl Hanson, Melanie Oldham, Suzannah Sammons- Stockport Family | |||
9.5 | Exhibitor Presentation | Clothworkers South, G14 | |
Service, Training And Mounting Solutions That Adapt You
Matthew Tennent, Christian Quick – SmileSmart | |||
9.6 | Clinical & Professional Service Delivery – Workshop | Stage@Leeds, Stage 1 | |
A Collaborative Design Workshop to Guide AI-Enabled Language Learning Support for Children who use Speech Generating Devices and their Communication Partners
Michael Clarke, Syed Billah, Seray Ibrahim, Richard He, Gloria Soto – Pennsylvania State University | |||
9.7 | EXHIBITOR STRAND TOBII DYNAVOX | Stage@Leeds, Dance Studio | |
Children’s Voices at Acapela Group: From First Words to Lifelong Identity
Nicolas Mazars – Acapela Group | |||
9.8 | Best Research Evidence | Stage@Leeds, Alec Clegg Studio | |
Co-designing a cross-organisational dataset attuned to people with communication support needs
Lisette van der Heijden, Theresa Truax-Gischler, Jan Niemeijer, Kaylee van Huijgevoort, Nina Wolters-Leermakers, Selsela Hasami, Stijn Deckers, Margje van der Schuit, Emma Vaillant – Koninklijke Kentalis | |||
Tea / Coffee and Farewel. 15:30 – 15:45 |
