Friday Announcements – 15 August 2025

/in , /by

1. Predictable Users get ElevenLabs Voice for Free
2. Hackcessible 2025 Challenger Opportunity
3. Call for Participants: AAC Consultants Working with Eye Gaze Users
4. New Family Hub SEND Parent Carer Drop In – Leeds

News from Communication Matters
5. CM2025 International AAC Conference – Registration Closes Today!
6. CM Office Closed on 18-19th August
7. About Friday Announcements

 

1. Predictable Users get ElevenLabs Voice for Free

From Namrata Alandkar, Therapy Box Ltd:

We’ve expanded our partnership with ElevenLabs! Now, all Predictable users with non-temporary speech loss caused by a diagnosed disease (not just those with MND, MSA, or Mouth Cancer) can request a FREE voice clone from ElevenLabs.

Predictable is a text-based AAC app that enables people to type or select words and phrases, which are then spoken aloud using a synthesised voice. It is trusted by thousands of users across more than 40 languages. Our focus is always on making communication faster, more expressive, and more accessible for those who use Predictable.

ElevenLabs provides secure, high-fidelity voice cloning for individuals who have lost the ability to speak. Each voice is personal and private, created from a short recording and available only to its owner. For users who prefer not to use their own voice, a library of ready-made voices is also available.

Tap the following link to visit our website and request your code: https://www.therapybox.co.uk/elevenlabs. A healthcare professional must apply on your behalf and confirm your diagnosis.

 

2. Hackcessible 2025 Challenger Opportunity

From Latisha Chau, University of Sheffield:

Hackcessible is a student-lead initiative creating innovative solutions for individuals with disabled needs. We are looking for a ‘challenger’ for our upcoming programme.

Hackcessible is a six-week long competition where we ask people with disabilities, known as challengers, to share their problems and propose a challenge to students to build an assistive device or prototype to help with their needs. Running since 2018, Hackcessible brings together challengers, engineering students and designers to co-develop impactful solutions. In the last Hackcessible, we had 67 participants and eight challengers. All of them finished with a functional prototype where five of them are classified as ready-to-go.

Challengers can be individuals with a disability, their carers, friends or representatives of charities. They agree to working with us to nail down a brief for the students, but may withdraw from the project at any time. We will provide assistance with travel costs if they would like to visit the university in Sheffield. By participating, challengers are not only contributing to a more accessible world but may also receive a functional prototype to help them with their daily lives.

If you would like to take part in Hackcessible as a challenger, please fill out this form, where you can also find examples of previous challenges. For more information, contact us at [email protected]. Applications close at the end of August.

 

3. Call for Participants: AAC Consultants Working with Eye Gaze Users

From Sarah Dunn, University of Leeds:

Study researching eye gaze assistive technology, wellbeing and quality of life.

Are you a clinician, practitioner or AAC consultant who works with or has recently worked with eye gaze assistive technology users?

Can you volunteer up to one hour of your time to take part in an online interview?

You will be asked questions related to:

  • The benefits and challenges of using eye gaze assistive technology
  • How eye gaze assistive technology may impact daily life, wellbeing and quality of life

To get involved, please email Sarah (PhD researcher in Music): [email protected].

 

4. New Family Hub SEND Parent Carer Drop In – Leeds

From Hope Hargreaves, Leeds City Council:

Family Hub SEND Parent Carer Monthly Drop Ins will soon be up and running in Leeds, with a launch event in September before the drop ins start in October.

Launch Event for Family Hub SEND Parent Carer Monthly Drop In:

Thursday 4th September 9:30am-12pm Swarcliffe Community Centre, 65 Stanks Gardens, Leeds, LS14 5LS.

Meet staff from Seacroft Family Hub, Little Hiccups (parent-led support charity), mental health workers, and find out about the wide range of SEND services on offer in Leeds. There will be tea, coffee, and biscuits.

Monthly drop ins will start from Thursday 2nd October at Swarcliffe Community Centre, 9:30am-12pm, and continue on the first Thursday of each month. For more information contact [email protected].

 

5. CM2025 International AAC Conference – Registration Closes Today!

For those last-minute bookers, we wanted to highlight some exciting changes and additions taking place this year.

One notable change is the conference being shortened to two days. We will open the main conference on Monday 8th September at 9AM and close at 4PM Tuesday the 9th. While this means a slightly shorter conference than previous years, we have worked hard to consolidate the programme to offer better value with events on either side. These include:

  • Pre-Conference Relaxed Exhibition: on the afternoon of 7th September, we will be providing a time for conference delegates and the community who need a quieter and less busy space to meet with suppliers. This is a free optional event for those who wish to add it to their delegate package. Tickets will also be available to people not attending conference.
  • AAC Awards: on the evening of 8th September, we will be hosting our biennial event celebrating all forms of communication, the people who use AAC, the professionals, families and suppliers that support them. Being held at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, we are certain the awards, dinner and dancing will prove to be a fun and exciting night for all! This event is included in the full delegate registration price. It can be added to one-day and exhibition-only delegates at an additional price. Tickets will also be available to people not attending conference.
  • Post-Conference Research Study Day: this additional day on 10th September is open to conference delegates and others who are interested in research focused strands delivered by an international cohort of researchers and academics. This event can be added to all delegate packages at an additional price. Tickets will also be available to people not attending conference.

Changes to accommodation 

In another effort to offer choice and value, there are now options available for conference delegates to choose accommodation. When going through the registration process you can add on-campus accommodation at Storm Jameson, which will be added to the full conference delegate rate. You can also choose to opt-out and stay elsewhere. We have teamed up with Conference Leeds to offer delegates preferential rates at hotels within Leeds for your convenience.

Bookings close today 15th August at 23:59 BST. See prices and book online here.

 

6. CM Office Closed on 18-19th August

The CM office will be closed on Monday & Tuesday next week due to staff leave. We’ll be back to answer your queries on Wednesday 20th August. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

 

7. 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).