Communication Matters 2024
The Communication Matters International AAC Conference is the UK’s leading annual AAC event. Over the course of two and a half days, participants will enjoy a diverse programme of keynotes, plenaries, presentations, posters and talks. Smartbox will be sponsoring this year’s event and presenting in a number of talks and workshops. We will also have a booth in the exhibition hall and a sponsors room where you can discover more about upcoming Smartbox products and talk to our team. Developing a new vocabulary system for people with aphasia Aphasia affects approximately 350,000 people in the UK, and reflects a broad range of strengths and difficulties with communication. We have been developing new content for Grid to support people with aphasia. This talk will offer an exclusive insight into the development process, and provide a preview of this forthcoming range of content. The Grid Pad 13 design process revealed Grid Pad 13 is a sleek and powerful new communication aid packed with industry firsts and innovative new features. Join us to learn more about the development process at Smartbox and the crucial role that AAC users and professionals play in this journey. Featuring guest speaker and Grid Pad 13 product tester, Harch Sagoo. Exploring factors leading to AAC abandonment We recently carried out a research project exploring the many reasons which contribute to why someone might no longer use their AAC system, despite an ongoing need. In this interactive workshop we would like to explore as a group how we can help to reduce AAC abandonment. We are delighted to introduce the Smartbox Discovery Room at this year’s conference! Drop by Baines Wing G37 to be the first to learn about upcoming Smartbox products and schedule an appointment with our team for a tech check in or a demo of our new aphasia content. We’ll also have some exclusive Smartbox giveaways for anyone visiting our Discovery Room. Book an appointment with our team to talk through a specific question about your Smartbox device. Or maybe you want to get some advice about access methods, or want to learn about the latest content and features in Grid software. Each appointment lasts 20 minutes and will be held in the Smartbox Discovery Room. Book your place. If you want to get hand’s on with our latest grid set, book a session with Daisy, Carina and Eva from our Content team to learn more about this new vocabulary. We’ll explain more about how this grid set was developed with input from experts in the field and show you how it works. Time slots will run alongside the main conference sessions (Tuesday only). Book your place. This September we’ll be launching a new communication and learning package designed specifically for school settings. Kim from our training team and Tom from Oasis Academy will be hosting a Lunch and Learn to share more and explain how this new offer could benefit your students. Come along on Monday lunch time at 12:30 – 13:30. No need to book! In the lead up to Communication Matters, we are inviting AAC users to enter our Mind’s Eye competition. All the entries will be showcased at the conference, and the winner will be announced on 10 September. Be sure to visit the Smartbox Discovery Room (Baines Wing G37) at Communication Matters to vote for your favourite artwork. Come and chat to the Smartbox team in the exhibition hall to learn about new products, and try out our latest communication aids. We’ll be running some fun competitions and have a selection of giveaways – don’t miss out!
Smartbox Talks
Daisy Clay, Carina Woerthuis, Eva Smets
9 Sept | Michael Sadler, LG10 | 15:00 – 15:45
Adam Waits, Neil Fitzgerald, Harch Sagoo
10 Sept | Michael Sadler, LG10 | 11:40 – 12:25
Julia Scott, Daisy Clay, James Reichelt
10 Sept | Clothworkers South, G11a&b | 13:30 – 15:15
Introducing the Smartbox Discovery Room
Tech check in
Take a closer look at our new aphasia content
Lunch and Learn
Enter our Mind’s Eye competition!
How to enter?
Visit the Smartbox booth