Friday Announcements – 31 October 2025

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1. New Widgit Symbols Now in Grid Software
2. Update from Therapy Box: Free Voice Cloning Made Easier!
3. RCSLT AAC Guidance Evaluation
4. FREE Christmas Family Fun Day – Sheffield
5. Autumn Term Meeting of AAC Exams Access Group

News from Communication Matters
6. AAC Peer Mentoring – Scotland: Information Session
7. ‘Inspiring New Ways of Thinking About Access to Technology for People with Intellectual Disability’ Study Day – 2 Weeks Left to Register!
8. Communication Matters Training and Development Opportunities – Change of Date
9. Save the Date: Sharing Best Practice Day 2026
10. About Friday Announcements

 

1. New Widgit Symbols Now in Grid Software

From Hannah Craven, Smartbox Assistive Technology Ltd:

We’re excited to share that the latest version of Grid now includes a huge update to the Widgit Symbol library, with improvements to existing symbols, and over 2,000 new symbols. This update gives Grid users access to a richer vocabulary across health, family, education, daily life, and more, making it easier to communicate about the things that matter most.

Learn more on our blog: https://thinksmartbox.com/news/new-widgit-symbols-coming-to-grid/

 

2. Update from Therapy Box: Free Voice Cloning Made Easier!

From Annie Galvin, Therapy Box Ltd:

ElevenLabs’ voice cloning program is now even more accessible! Users can create a personalized, natural-sounding voice for Predictable without entering any payment details. If you have non-temporary speech loss due to a diagnosed condition and are over 18, you qualify for this free voice clone through the ElevenLabs Impact Program.

To get started:

  • Sign up for a free ElevenLabs account at https://elevenlabs.io/
  • Apply for a voice clone via the Impact Program, selecting Therapy Box as your company name
  • Have a Speech and Language Therapist or healthcare professional confirm your eligibility through a quick form on our website https://www.therapybox.co.uk/elevenlabs-signup
  • Once approved, follow the guide on our website to create your voice and add it to Predictable.


3. RCSLT AAC Guidance Evaluation

From Elizabeth Brookfield, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists:

I am one of the project managers within the RCSLT professional guidance team. We are conducting a survey about the AAC guidance published in 2024.

  • If you are a speech and language therapist, we would like to ask you how the guidance is impacting your clinical practice and how useful you think it is for your service users.
  • If you are, or have been, seeing a speech and language therapist for your own diagnosis or a family member, we want to hear how you think that the new guidance meets your needs.

You can find the survey here: https://forms.office.com/e/Jp7MrsVFQk

This survey is open until noon, Friday 5th December 2025.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me directly by email at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing your views on this new guidance.

 

4. FREE Christmas Family Fun Day – Sheffield

From Nicole Quinn, Irwin Mitchell Solicitors:

Join us for a magical festive celebration in partnership with Irwin Mitchell and SYCANN!

Sunday 14th December, 11am – 2pm, Niagara Centre, Niagara Road, Sheffield S6 1LU.

Expect a day full of joy and inclusive fun for families and children with additional needs, including:

  • Santa’s Grotto
  • Face Painting
  • Sensory Activities
  • Boccia
  • Free Food & Refreshments
  • Plus, meet local charities offering support and resources!

Book your FREE place now: https://events.irwinmitchell.com/sheffamilyfunday2025

 

5. Autumn Term Meeting of AAC Exams Access Group

From Saffron Murphy-Mann:

Our autumn term meeting will take place online on 7th November at 1pm.

We will share our new guidance documents from KS1-KS4, and there will be discussion and best practice sharing and news of successful exam concessions.

This meeting is for parents, guardians, and professionals as well as classroom teachers, SENCos and Exams Officers who are supporting a person who uses AAC to appropriately access formal testing and exams.

If you would like to be sent a link, please email [email protected] or visit our website https://aac.examsaccess.group/.

 

6. AAC Peer Mentoring – Scotland: Information Session

Communication Matters is delighted to inform you that we have been successful in receiving some funding from National Lottery, Awards for All, Scotland.

We will be hosting an information session to tell you more about this two-year funded project along with next steps.

Session 1 is a general information session open to everyone, and Session 2 is a planning meeting for AAC users who have already completed the Level 1 Award in Mentoring.

Refreshments (tea & coffee) will be provided and if attending Session 2, please bring your own lunch.

DATE: Tuesday 18th November 2025

Session 1: 10.00am – 12.00pm (general information session, open to all)

Session 2: 1.00pm – 2.30pm (planning meeting for AAC mentors only)

VENUE: Corseford College West Scotland, India of Inchinnan, Inchinnan PA4 9LH

To confirm your attendance and for more information contact: Verity Elliott [email protected].

 

7. ‘Inspiring New Ways of Thinking About Access to Technology for People with Intellectual Disability’ Study Day – 2 Weeks Left to Register!

21st November 2025, 9.30-4pm, Irwin Mitchell Offices, Temple, London, EC4Y 0AY

Communication Matters are delighted to partner with a range of leading academic and clinical experts in intellectual disability to host this exciting event.

Following on from our previous Study Day in November 2019 (‘Where Next for People with Cognitive Disabilities & Electronic Assistive Technology?), we will offer delegates a range of plenaries and workshops to explore the state of play around existing technology for people with intellectual disability as well as the opportunity to (re)consider how to activate current and future technologies in creative and innovative ways. This is a standalone event and, although drawing on learning from the 2019 event, there is no need for delegates to have attended the previous Study Day to benefit from this one.

Attendance: £100 for non-members, £90 for members and £75 for AAC users/PAs/family members. Lunch and refreshments included.

Learning objectives, full programme and booking details can be found here. Registration closes on 13th November!

 

8. Communication Matters Training and Development Opportunities – Change of Date

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

Zoom Session for AAC users and others interested in finding out more.

Tuesday 25th 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 

Zoom Session for AAC users and others interested in finding out more.

*Now Tuesday 2nd 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 Zoom Sessions, please contact Verity Elliott, email: [email protected].

 

9. Save the Date: Sharing Best Practice Day 2026

Tuesday 31st March 2026 10.00am-3.00pm

Following the successful and enjoyable day in April this year, Communication Matters are pleased to announce that we will be hosting another Peer Support & Mentoring Project ‘sharing best practice day’ at the University of Leeds.

This event is open to all AAC users and others interested in peer support and mentoring along with finding out more about other opportunities.

More information including how to book and the programme for the day will be available soon.

In the meantime, put the date in your diary and for more information about the project, visit:
https://www.communicationmatters.org.uk/what-we-do/projects/mentoring-projects-2024/ Or contact: Verity Elliott [email protected] Tel: 07891 959048.

 

10. 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).