• The CM Sessions

The CM Sessions: A series of Twilight Presentations for AAC Awareness Month

Every Thursday in October 2020 – from 3.30pm (UK time) online

Communication Matters relies on income from holding the annual conference and other events to help run the charity. We support AAC users, families and professionals to get the most up to date information about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

As all our events have been cancelled this year due to the pandemic, we have decided to run a series of virtual events throughout October (for AAC Awareness Month) to help raise awareness of AAC and vital funds for the charity.

What are the CM Sessions?

The CM Sessions will have both academic and social elements and will be held every Thursday afternoon in October: 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th.

The first session (on the 1st) will be a short introduction followed by our keynote speaker (Meredith Allan) and a much-loved CM quiz! The middle 3 weeks will be jam-packed with presentations each week from professionals in the AAC field, AAC users and AAC suppliers, with each night culminating in a fun activity. The final session (on the 29th) will be a panel session with AAC users and a celebratory finale from the wonderful Sign Out Loud!

Speakers

Meredith Allan

Meredith Allan

Meredith Allan is currently President of the International Society for AAC (ISAAC) and National Treasurer of ISAAC-Australia.

Meredith worked for the Australian Public Service for almost 30 years. She is currently studying for a master’s degree, by research, at Deakin University in Melbourne. Meredith works part-time as a Communication Assessor and Disability Educator with Scope in Victoria. Meredith uses AAC to communicate and takes great joy in watching other people who use AAC become more confident and take leadership roles.

Gloria Soto, Ph.D

Gloria Soto, Ph.D

Coordinator of Joint Doctoral Program in Special Education,
Professor in Department of Special Education, and Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences,
San Francisco State University

Gail M. Van Tatenhove, PA, MS, CCC-SLP

Gail M. Van Tatenhove, PA, MS, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist Orlando, FL USA

Catia Crivelenti de Figueiredo Walter

Catia Crivelenti de Figueiredo Walter

Associate Professor of the Graduate Program in Education
Inclusive and Continuing Education Department – Faculty of Education,
State University of Rio de Janeiro

Caroline Gosling

Caroline Gosling

From The Seashell Trust - A national charity supporting children and young adults with complex learning disabilities and additional communication needs from across the UK.

Jamie Preece

Jamie Preece

Jamie’s personal story about #500mileswithoutavoice.

Emily Walsh

Emily Walsh

From ATtherapy - An independent speech and language therapy service for children and adults with neurological conditions specialising in AAC and Assistive Technology.

Verity Elliott

Verity Elliott

Project Lead for the Communication Matters Mentoring Project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund working with Creativity in Practice Ltd.

Samantha McNeilly and Will Wade

Samantha McNeilly and Will Wade

From Ace Centre - A charity specialising in AAC and Assistive Technology speaking about learning Morse Code.

Gregor Gilmour

Gregor Gilmour

From ATmentors - Gregor’s experience of mentoring during lockdown.

And Supplier Presentations from:

Social Sessions will include:

  • A CM Quiz
  • Bingo
  • DJ Oli
  • Judy King AAC Guitar
  • Sign Out Loud!
    – The theme will be crazy hats (optional but highly encouraged!), so please find a silly hat, or make your own hat, or even better make a hat using recyclable materials to wear! And in true CM style there will be a prize for the best one!

And running throughout:

  • CM Virtual Balloon Race!
    – Running from 15th-28th October. Buy your balloons now here!

Registration

Registration is now closed.

The tickets for all five CM Sessions across the whole month with full access to all of this amazing content are just £20!

Please register using the ‘Register’ link at the bottom of the page.

It is not too late to register, registration is open until the 29th October and you will be sent access to all of the past presentations.

If you think it is worth more, or if you can afford a donation on top, we would be very grateful for your support at – https://www.justgiving.com/communicationmatters

Certificates of attendance can also be made available on request.

What do I need to take part?

The afternoons will run like a series of simple webinars, so you don’t need a webcam or a microphone, you just need a computer, phone or tablet (with access to the internet and speakers) so you can just press play and listen in!

Contact details of presenters will be provided after each session so you can get in touch with them directly if you have any questions.

Some of the live social sessions may need your interaction in which case you will need a microphone (webcam optional).

What if I am busy on those days?

If you aren’t available to watch at the set times, once you have registered you will be sent the links to watch the presentations in your own time if needed. All the resources will be available online for 30 days. (However, please note that some of the fun activities may need to run live).

Sounds great! How do I sign up?

Registration is now closed.

This is all very new to us and we are working hard on the details, but a full timetable can be found across. You can register using the button below. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the CM Office on [email protected].

Please put the dates in your diary now – every Thursday in October: 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th from 3.30pm!

We can’t wait for you to join in and help #SaveCM

Timetable

You will be able to watch the presentations in your own time if needed as most of the resources will be available online for 30 days. However, please note that some of the Social Sessions will need to run live and if so, this is indicated in the ‘Time’ column.

View Timetable
Registration is now closed.

Please help us to spread the word

#CMsessions

#AACAwarenessMonth

#SaveCM

Download Flyer

Thank You

A big Thank You to MEETinLEEDS at the University of Leeds for donating their time, expertise and software to enable these events to go ahead.