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
  • 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 (AAC) for the benefit of people working in the field of AAC, AAC users 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 you are employed by a commercial supplier or if your conference place is being funded by a commercial supplier, then you are presenting a sponsored paper. If you have a suppliers’ email address then it is a sponsored paper. 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.
 
For Submitting Authors:
Communication Matters member, Gregor, and CM Chair, Helen, have created this useful step-by-step guide on how to submit an abstract:

 
For Presenting Authors:
We recommend that presenting authors Download IT Instructions and view our Top Tips for Presenting Video by our past patron, Martin Pistorius. Martin made this video specifically for AAC users who are going to present for the first time, but we're sure that even the most experienced presenter will find some useful tips! 

 
You can download 2023 presentation guidelines here:


Submission Guidelines


Please read carefully:
  1. Read the 'General Guidelines for Abstract Submission' above.
  2. Read the 'Privacy Statement' below.
  3. Choose the topic area (see previous page) that best suits your submission.
  4. To create a submission, please first create a 'new user' profile through the login page above.
    (Please note that even if you have submitted a paper in a previous year, you will have to create a new profile for this year). 
  5. Fill in all sections of the abstract form as instructed. Your abstract should be a minimum of 150 words and a maximum of 300 words.
    If you are including references, there should be a maximum of six. You may find these university referencing guidelines useful.
  6. IMPORTANT: Once you have clicked 'save and submit' you will no longer be able to edit your submission. If you’ve not completed your abstract select 'save and continue later'.

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 6 June 2023. Accepted abstracts will be included 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 28 April 2023 (23:59 BST).
 
 
Privacy Statement:
  • By creating a log-in and submitting an abstract, you agree to the information you include on your profile and on your abstract submission being shared with Communication Matters personnel, and with the University of Leeds conference office, for administrative purposes only.
  • Accepted abstracts will be printed in the conference programme and so, if successful, all the authors full names and organisations, along with your abstract title, abstract and references will be shared with the University of Leeds programme design team.
  • All communications will come from Communication Matters.
  • Further details about how we use personal data can be found in our Privacy Policy and the University of Leeds Privacy Policy.