General Guidelines for Abstract Submission


Submitting an abstract indicates that the presenter(s) agree to: register for at least one whole day’s attendance at conference and to provide a written article for the Communication Matters Journal (up to 2000 words) within the year following the conference.

We may need to limit the number of papers per presenter / organisation in order to make sure we showcase a broad programme. Please can individuals submit no more than five papers.


Abstract topics should be relevant to the aims of Communication Matters:

  • Increasing awareness, understanding and knowledge of good practice in the field of augmentative and alternative communication for the benefit of people working in the field of AAC, people who use AAC and their families.
  • Providing a forum for the exchange of information and ideas related to AAC.
  • Promoting the positive role of AAC in the empowerment of people with complex communication needs.
  • Supporting high quality research in the field of AAC.

Funded or Sponsored Papers:
These are papers sponsored or supported by commercial suppliers of AAC or assistive technology products. If your paper is sponsored, please state this on the abstract form.

Audio Visual Resources (AV):
All rooms are equipped with an internet enabled PC, data projector, screen, DVD playback and audio output to amplified speakers. If you are planning to use a Mac, please ensure you bring an appropriate adaptor.
If you have any additional AV requirements please contact admin@communicationmatters.org.uk as soon as possible.


Submission Guidelines


Please read carefully:

1. Read the Guidelines for Abstract Submission above and if you are submitting a Poster, please Download Guidelines for Poster Submission and if you are submitting a Lightning Talk, please Download Guidelines for Lightning Talks.
2. Choose the topic area (see previous page) that best suits your submission.
3. Fill in all sections of the abstract form as instructed. Your abstract should be a maximum of 300 words. If you are including references, there should be a maximum of eight.
4. To create a submission please first create a new profile through the login page above.

All submissions will be acknowledged automatically via the email provided with the abstract – please contact us if you do not receive an acknowledgement within two working days of submission. The abstracts committee will examine all submissions and will notify all applicants of the outcome via email by 7 June 2019. Accepted abstracts will be printed in the conference programme.

If you are unable to access the system, please email us at admin@communicationmatters.org.uk or call us on 0113 343 1533.

We look forward to receiving your abstract submission by the closing date of 26 April 2019.