This page shares details of upcoming Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Study Days. Registration opens on 27 February 2026.
STUDY DAY : Wednesday 16 September 2026
9.30am – 4pm, University of Leeds
The AAC Study Day involves two 2.5 hour workshops that complement each other with a focus on research, technology and its use in practical applications. The full day event encourages deep reflection in relation to collaboration, conversation, and design in the field of AAC.
Each workshop is designed to foster active learning and pragmatic thinking, helping attendees shape a more inclusive and innovative future for AAC. Subject to numbers, delegates will attend both half day workshops, swapping rooms to their new workshop after the shared lunchtime.
09.30 – 10.00 Registration and tea/coffee
10.00 – 12.30 Session 1 including a short break
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch
13.30 – 16.00 Session 2 including tea/coffee
16.00 – 16.15 Tea/coffee and farewell
Morning Session: Co-production in Research
Presenters: Sarah Hayward and Joanna Holmes
Join us for an engaging and practical session where you will:
- Discover the foundational principles and key concepts behind co-production in research
- Engage in interactive opportunities to reflect on and enhance your own professional practice
- Leave equipped with actionable strategies and clear next steps to implement immediately
Afternoon Session: Designing AAC for In-Time Conversation
Presenters: Prof Jeff Higginbotham, Director of the Communication and Assistive Device Lab (CADL) at the University at Buffalo
This workshop will focus on the research and design challenges and strategies for developing socially-responsive and conversationally in-time communication aids
Workshop participants will learn how cutting-edge research and design techniques are used to develop conversant AAC technologies.
About our Study Day Speakers
Sarah Hayward
Sarah Hayward is a speech and language therapist with experience of working in a child development centre and special school. She holds a Research Champion role in the NHS and a lecturer post at University College London specialising in AAC and support for people with learning disabilities. Sarah’s PhD focused on collaboration with families in AAC intervention and her interests include participatory and creative mixed methods and co-production.
Jo Holmes
Jo is a parent-carer and blogger. She also works at Born at the Right Time in training and partnership development. She previously worked as a Speech and Language Therapist and, in 2014, completed an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice. Whether this training helped or hindered her life as a parent-carer remains debatable and a constant source of reflection. Since 2020, she has shared her experiences of supporting her daughter’s communication through her blog and social media platforms,Mummy vs AAC. In 2023, this work was recognised with ‘The Anthony Hewson Make A Difference Award’ at the AAC Awards. She is passionate about everyone having interactions and conversations where they feel valued and supported.
Prof Jeff Higginbotham
Dr. Jeff Higginbotham is a Professor at the Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences in the University at Buffalo, and as a social interaction researcher, he has studied the conversations of individuals with communication challenges, focusing on those who use assistive technologies such as augmentative communication (AAC) devices.
How to Book your place
This is a standalone event that takes place following the Communication Matters International AAC Conference from 13 – 15 September at the University of Leeds.
Study Day attendees can book a combined Conference & Study Day ticket at our Conference booking page.
Alternatively, attendees who want to ONLY attend the Study Day, should register their place here.
Lunch and refreshments included.
Registration opens on 27 February 2026. Registration closes on 31 July 2026 or earlier if maximum capacity is met.
Events Policies
- Click for details of our Booking Terms & Conditions – Cancellation Policy.
- Click for details of our Expenses Policy.
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.