Friday Announcements

1. Introducing Evo, a New Intelligent Eye Tracker

From Hannah Craven, Smartbox Assistive Technology Ltd:

We are delighted to introduce Evo, a new eye tracker created by Smartbox. Powerful machine learning algorithms have been trained on real-world scenarios to deliver fast, accurate, and responsive performance. Evo joins our portfolio of eye trackers and has been developed to make AAC more accessible to everyone. Learn more on our website: https://thinksmartbox.com/evo/.


2. Spoken 1.9.4 Now Live on iOS and Android

From Evan Lauer, Spoken Inc:

Spoken – Tap to Talk AAC just released its third major update in recent months. Version 1.9.4 is available to download on Google Play and the Apple App Store right now. The update introduces Acapela voice compatibility on Android, along with new autocorrect and spellcheck toggles to give users more control.

The new release also overhauls the app for VoiceOver and TalkBack users, making it more accessible. Plus, performance has been improved to speed up word predictions and make Spoken’s user experience smoother than ever.

More details are available on the Spoken blog.


3. CP Scotland Adult Christmas Social

From Rachael Webb, Cerebral Palsy Scotland:

Tuesday 16 December 12pm-2pm.

We are delighted to be inviting adults with cerebral palsy to join us at the Cerebral Palsy Scotland Centre in Glasgow on Tuesday 16 December, from 12pm-2pm for a Christmas social lunch.

There will be a Christmas quiz, music and some bingo!

All you need to do is bring your favourite dish along on the day to share. Please let us know if you have any allergies in the comment section of the RSVP form. 

Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions by emailing [email protected] or calling us on 0141 352 5000.


4. Vacancy – Assistive Technology Clinical Specialist (SLT)

From Zoë Clarke, Barnsley Assistive Technology Team:

This is an opportunity to join a dedicated, motivated, exciting and supportive specialised assistive technology team. Our team has an excellent national and international reputation for quality, innovation and research and development. We deliver regional services for communication aids and environmental control across the Yorkshire and Humber region and are directly commissioned by NHS England as a specialised service.

This post is for a Speech and Language Therapist to work as an Assistive Technology Clinical Specialist to cover maternity leave within the team.

We are looking for candidates with experience in AAC assessment and provision but as a fixed term position this is also a great opportunity for applicants wishing to apply as a training post (Annex 21 in Agenda for Change). As a training post, you would be expected to develop the knowledge, experience and skills in assistive technology required through a period of supported experience in the role. If applying for the training post, please state this clearly on your application.

This is a fixed term post for two years. Closing date for applications is 1^st December with a provisional interview date of 16^th or 17^th December.

See the advertisement and job description for more information: Job Advert. Please contact Zoë Clarke ([email protected]) for more information.


5. Kidz to Adultz North Heads to Liverpool

From Carmel Hourigan, Disabled Living:

Kidz to Adultz North will be welcoming families, carers and professionals from across the region for a day of expert advice, practical support and inclusive fun.

Wednesday 3rd December 2025  ACC Liverpool, Port of Liverpool, Kings Dock Street, L3 4FP 9.30am – 4.00pm.

Free entry | Parking available | Fully accessible

A bigger focus for 2025: Navigating transition

This year’s event will spotlight an important new area of support across all Kidz to Adultz exhibitions: helping young disabled people and their families navigate life’s key transitions – whether that’s preparing for adulthood, accessing further education, moving into employment or gaining greater independence.

Expert-led seminars – CPD certified

Our CPD-certified seminars are a key highlight of the event. Covering all the hot topics, they’re free to attend, expert-led, and packed with useful insights for parents, carers, and professionals. The full timetable is available on our website.

This event is ideal for parents, carers, healthcare professionals, SENCOs, therapists, and anyone supporting a child or young adult with a disability or additional needs.

Register for free now and find out more here. Interested in being more involved? Contact: [email protected].


6. New Website for Communication Matters

You might have noticed that Communication Matters released its new website. It’s been a soft launch for us prior to promoting the new website to our members.

We invite you to explore the new website at www.communicationmatters.org.uk. Our intention has been to create a website that is easier for ALL visitors to navigate. We have worked with AAC users to improve the site’s accessibility. Their feedback was incredibly useful. 

Your feedback will be valuable too. Please use the Contact Us form to send us your thoughts on what’s working for you and what we could improve. There is no time limit on sending us your feedback. The website will continue to be updated and developed to better meet the needs of our members.

We will be emailing all our members with directions for accessing the Members Area of the website. In brief, members need their membership number and the email associated with their membership to register their account and verify their email address.

Send your website feedback to Communication Matters using the Contact Us form.


7. We’re Hiring! Join Communication Matters as an Administrator

We are seeking a highly motivated individual with excellent IT skills and administrative experience to support Communication Matters in achieving the charity’s mission of empowering people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

What you’ll do:

• Organise events and meetings
• Manage memberships and newsletters
• Support social media and website updates
• Help deliver our Annual International Conference

Why join us?

• Permanent, full-time role (35 hrs/week)
• Salary: £23,881 + 6% pension
• 28 days holiday + office closure at Christmas
• Based at University of Leeds (with some remote flexibility)

Joining Communication Matters means being part of something truly meaningful. As a charity, our work directly impacts lives – and so can yours.

Learn more and apply here: https://doinggoodleeds.org.uk/job/communication-matters-administrator/

Closing date: 4 December 2025


8. Communication Matters Training and Development Opportunities

• Looking After Myself – The Capacity to be Resilient and Assertive

Online event for AAC users and others interested in finding out more.

Tuesday 25^th November 2025, 2.00pm-3.30pm

Gregor Gilmour (AAC user) and Verity Elliott (CM Mentoring Project Co-ordinator)

This workshop will include gaining an understanding of some of the underlying issues that impact on our mental health and wellbeing, alongside a range of positive strategies and tools that we can use in our daily lives to help our capacity to be resilient.

• Achieving the Level 1 in Mentoring Qualification 

Online event for AAC users and others interested in finding out more.

Tuesday 2^nd December 2025, 2.00pm-3.30pm

Becky Tyler (AAC user) and Verity Elliott (CM Mentoring Project Co-ordinator)

This is an opportunity to find out more about this fully accredited and fully funded opportunity. Verity will present how this qualification can be delivered and completed in a flexible and adaptable way, the benefits and next steps. Becky will tell you more about her recent experience of completing the qualification.

The qualification can be completed in small groups or individually.

To book onto one or both online sessions, please contact Verity Elliott, email: [email protected].


9. 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).