Conference Programme

Delegates will be able to choose from a large number of presentations in the conference programme. It will be a great opportunity to hear about, and be part of, the latest developments in the field of AAC.

Sessions

All sessions are categorised into three 'levels' as a guide to the type and nature of the presentation:

• Introductory sessions assume no previous knowledge of AAC

• General sessions assume participants have a knowledge of AAC, probably gained over several years, and the sessions may have more discussion time than an Introductory session

• Specialist sessions assume even greater knowledge and, in some cases, will be more participatory in nature

We have based our topic areas on the three aspects of evidence-based practice, which constitute improved outcomes for all. These aspects are:

• Best Research Evidence (from independent organisations such as education, social or health services and universities)

• Clinical & Professional Service Delivery (presented by health or education professionals or those working for other organisations for AAC users)

• Personal Stories & Case Studies (would include personal experience stories, single case studies and examples of AAC in the wider community).

In addition to platform presentations there will be poster sessions on the Monday & Tuesday and also some more participatory events.

Conference Theme

This year’s conference theme is IDENTITY.

Annual Meeting of Associate Members

Associate Members of Communication Matters can attend the 2025 Annual Meeting of Associate Members. Non-members are welcome to attend as observers but they cannot vote on resolutions or speak to the meeting. Date/time to be announced.

Programme

A Draft Timetable for the CM2025 Conference is now available. Please note this is still only a draft and is subject to change. Download Draft Timetable v1 (PDF).

The Book of Abstracts for the CM2025 Conference will be available to download here a couple of weeks before the conference.

You will be provided with a printed programme when you register in Leeds. The printed programme will include some general conference information and a copy of the final timetable. Please note that the Book of Abstracts is available online only, and we recommend reading this in advance of the conference if you can.

Sunday: The Relaxed Exhibition is open on Sunday from 13.00-15.00 and from 15.00-17.00 for those who have registered for this separate event. The Annual Meeting of Associate Members will take place virtually at 13.00-14.00 on Sunday. There will also be two workshops followed by an informal dinner for AAC users/PAs on the Sunday for those who are arriving for conference early - further details below.

Monday: Conference Registration opens at 7.30 on Monday. Monday morning starts with a welcome talk at 10.00 and the keynote presentation shortly afterwards. Parallel sessions run all day from 11.15-17.10 with plenty of refreshment breaks and lunch where you can view the exhibition and posters.

In the evening there will be a drinks reception (dress to impress!) from 19.00 at the Armouries, before a beautiful 3-course conference dinner alongside the AAC Awards presentations from 19.30-21.30, followed by dancing until 23.00.

Tuesday: Conference Registration opens at 7.30 on Tuesday. Tuesday sees the plenary presentation at 9.30 with parallel sessions running from 10.35-15.40, again with plenty of refreshment breaks and lunch (where you can view the exhibition and posters) and then tea/coffee is served as a final farewell until 16.15. 

Please note that much work has been done to ensure all the spaces we are using for the conference are accessible. For health and safety reasons, there will be a maximum number of people and wheelchair users allowed in each location. Please note therefore that this may mean you are turned away from a session that you wish to attend, to ensure it is a safe conference for everyone. Thank you for your understanding.

Sunday Afternoon Activities for AAC Users

For our Sunday afternoon activity this year at CM2025, we will be holding a double workshop in the Riley Smith Theatre for AAC users and their accompanying PAs/family members who are registered for conference and arriving on the Sunday.  

The workshop content has been guided by both the Communication Matters (CM) Survey of the membership last year and the ‘Our Futures’ project workshops with AAC users. This work found several priorities for the Board of CM: 1) A need to increase awareness around AAC and the needs of AAC users and families through general awareness raising and influencing policy and decision makers. Respondents requested basic training around how to speak up on issues affecting AAC users, and 2) A need to empower AAC users via training and education.

1) In the first workshop on 'Awareness raising and advocacy for AAC users', from 14.00 - 15.15, we will discuss what is policy, AAC user rights, how to go about raising awareness of AAC, what advocacy looks like, and what is involved in influencing the agenda with politicians and other decision makers locally and nationally. Following the discussion, we will look at some resources available to take action. AAC users who attend will be emailed a ‘toolkit’ pack with some useful information for the future. This workshop will be delivered by Dr Beth Moulam, a social policy advocate, and Professor Annalu Waller. 

2) The second workshop, from 15.30 - 16.45, will involve a session on 'Looking after myself - the capacity to be resilient and assertive'. This interactive practical session 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. We will also explore what 'assertiveness' looks like (self-advocacy) and create some useful resources for AAC users to be able to communicate 'what will help me'. This workshop will be delivered by Verity Elliott (CM Mentoring Project Co-ordinator) and Gregor Gilmour (Mentor and AAC User). 

Sunday will also involve an informal dinner for AAC users and their accompanying PAs/family members from 18.00 - 19.00 in the Refectory. 

In order to access these activities, you will need to be registered for the conference. You can choose to sign up for just one or both of the workshops - booking details available soon. 

If delegates also wish to access the free Relaxed Exhibition taking place in the Refectory on the Sunday, you will please need to register for the appropriate timeslot (13.00-15.00 or 15.00-17.00). You can also book onto this separate event as part of your conference registration.  

Please note that places are limited for the two workshops and for the Relaxed Exhibition and places are available first-come-first-served. 

For Presenting Authors

We recommend that presenting authors view our Top Tips for Presenting Video by our past patron, Martin Pistorius.

If you are presenting a Platform, Poster, Workshop, or Lightning Talk, please Download Guidelines.