Early Bird Prices On Sale Now
Communication Without Limits: Celebrating 40 Years of Communication Matters
The Communication Matters International AAC Conference is unlike any other in the world.
13-15 September 2026, University of Leeds
We look forward to welcoming you to the historic city of Leeds for an exciting event packed full of informative presentations, inspiring stories and insight into the advancing world of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
Conference Streams:
Keynote Speaker
Jeff Higginbotham PhD
Director of the Communication and Assistive Device Lab, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Looking at AAC Through Time and Interaction: Jeff Higginbotham discusses a simple but powerful idea: communication technologies don’t just help people say things—they shape how quickly, smoothly, and naturally people can take part in everyday conversation. He asks, if conversation is central to being human, how have AAC tools evolved to support better real-time connection with partners—and what priorities should guide what comes next?
About Jeff Higginbotham PhD
I earned my PhD in Comparative Studies of Human Social Interaction from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1985. Since then, I have spent most of my career at the University at Buffalo studying the conversations of people who use communication aids, with the goal of developing more socially responsive communication technologies. In recent years, my work has focused on the use of artificial intelligence in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and its potential to better support real-time interaction.
Call for Abstracts 2026
Click the logo block to go to the Abstract Submission Form.
You may also find the Abstracts Submission Form at https://hg3.co.uk/cmiac/.
Buy Early Bird Tickets Today: 13-15 September 2026
Join approximately 500 attendees for a full schedule of activities, including keynote speakers, 80+ presentations and workshops, an exhibition of the leading AAC and Assistive Technology (AT) suppliers, networking and more.
We are working hard on the 2026 conference. Please view our previous conference programmes archive below for an idea of what to expect.
Check back here for more information as it is announced!
Conference Delegate Registration Fees
Delegate Package | Early Bird Rate (until 29 June 2026) | Standard Rate (from 30 June 2026) |
|---|---|---|
Member – Full Conference | £541 | £638 |
Non member – Full Conference | £656 | £755 |
Member – 1 Day | £271 | £294 |
Non member – 1 Day | £381 | £404 |
Member – Exhibition only | £60 | £60 |
Non member – Exhibition only | £75 | £75 |
* Subsidised AAC user / family member – Full Conference | £180 | £180 |
AAC User Personal Assistant #1 – Full Conference | £0 | £0 |
AAC User Personal Assistant #2 – Full Conference | £180 | £180 |
Exhibition trade stand personnel – Full Conference | £265 | £265 |
* Subsidised AAC User places are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
Monday 14 September 2026
Find out more about our 40th Anniversary dinner – including our fancy dress theme. Tickets are available for people who only want to join the celebration and also for Conference delegates who may include the Dinner as part of their conference package at a reduced rate.
Wednesday 16 September 2026
The AAC Study Day involves two 2.5 hour workshops that complement each other with a focus on research, technology and its use in practical applications. The full day event encourages deep reflection in relation to collaboration, conversation, and design in the field of AAC.
Exhibit at CM Conference 2026
Communication Matters is excited to offer several opportunities to exhibit or sponsor at the 2026 International AAC Conference over two and a half days.
If you wish to support this conference, or would like more details about the opportunities available, please contact our Exhibition & Sponsorship Team at [email protected] or call +44 (0)1423 529333.
Conference Abstracts
The following list provides details of conference presentations in previous years.
Book of Abstracts | Conference web page | CM 2025 Conference Book of Abstracts | Conference 2025 |
|---|---|
CM 2024 Conference Book of Abstracts | Conference 2024 |
CM 2023 Conference Book of Abstracts | Conference 2023 |
CM 2022 Conference Book of Abstracts | Conference 2022 |
CM 2021 Conference Book of Abstracts | Conference 2021 |
CM 2020 YouTube Playlist for Members only – please see Members Area for link. | |
CM 2019 Conference Book of Abstracts | Conference 2019 |
CM 2018 Conference Book of Abstracts | |
CM 2017 Conference Book of Abstracts | |
CM 2016 Conference Book of Abstracts |
Events Policies
- Click for details of our Booking Terms & Conditions – Cancellation Policy.
- Click for details of our Expenses Policy.