Transforming lives at Communication Works
Thank you to everyone who came to our annual event Communication Works (#CW2025 #GetSeen) on Thursday 22nd May at Charlton Athletic Football Club. There was a real community feel to the day, and we were able to highlight the importance of giving children and young people the right assistive technology (AT) and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), so they can access the curriculum, communicate and are given a voice.
It was wonderful that so many of our CENMAC students took an active role at the event by presenting in seminars, performing on the main stage and interacting with the technology on display in the exhibition hall.
Kathryn Stowell, Head of CENMAC on stage at Communication Works introducing Keynote speaker Abdi Omar
Abdi Omar’s Keynote speech – Transforming lives
The day kicked off with a powerful speech from Abdi Omar, CENMAC’s AAC Consultant and CEO of The Limitless Minds Group UK
Abdi has taken on a crucial role in a project at Charlton Park Academy trialling Proloquo Classroom app. All the teachers, TAs, and students are being taught to use this power-based device, in a whole-school approach. Abdi talked about this rewarding experience during his keynote speech:
“Working with CENMAC has been more than a job. It’s been a journey. I’ve seen students transform. I’ve seen families gain hope and I’ve also seen something that is just as important – teachers and staff beginning to believe. Because if AAC is going to work in schools it can’t just be a student thing. It has to be a whole school thing. Everyone from the classroom assistant to the Headteacher has to understand it, respect it and know how to use it.” Abdi Omar
Keynote speaker Abdi Omar on stage in front of the crowd of visitors at Communication Works
Keynote Speaker & MC Khamani Edwards
Khamani has been a CENMAC student since reception class right through to his Film & TV course at college. We have watched him develop into such a charismatic and positive young person. We are all very proud of him.
In his keynote speech Khamani said “Assistive tech hasn’t just supported me in class, it has unlocked opportunities, it helped me chase my dreams, finish my education, and build a business.”
We asked Khamani to tell us how he felt following the event “Communication Works South was such a full-circle moment for me. To return – not just as MC for the third year, but also as a keynote speaker – at the end of my education journey, after completing my two-year Film and TV college course, meant so much. From sharing my journey living with dystonia to building KJ’s Craft Time – an inclusive craft business that champions creativity for all children – it was surreal standing on stage, surrounded by educators, students, and innovators who truly believe in the power of assistive technology. I’m so grateful to CENMAC for their support over the years, and for giving me both the confidence and the tools to share my story on that stage.” — Khamani Edwards
Keynote speaker Khamani Edwards on stage in front of the crowd of visitors at Communication Works before his keynote speech
The programme of seminars
For those of you who attended, we hope you enjoyed our full day programme of seminars. Thank you to everyone who presented. Sharing your stories and assistive technology successes helps others to see how they can better support the children and young people they are working with.
Student presenters
We are so delighted that many of our CENMAC students were brave enough to come along and show how the technology has supported them. It is no mean feat to get up in front of such a large crowd and we are very proud of all of them. Some of the sessions were recorded so we will be sharing them soon.
We want to give a massive shout out to all our student presenters and performers who did such a fantastic job at Communication Works: Ruth from Future Academies Pimlico, Luke from St Magdalene C of E All Through Secondary School, Jesse from Dulwich College, James, Shinor, Tayshawn, Taariq, Anika, Bridget, Kristian, Max, Danny, Tawhid, Tiana, Andrew, Ajani, Justin, Nathan and James from Charlton Park Academy.
Parent Session
Parents of CENMAC students Lucinda and Lucy shared their sons’ strengths – imagination and determination – and their positive experiences with CENMAC and assistive technology. They emphasised the importance of school referrals, and how tools like text-to-speech and organisation aids, along with exam support, have aided their children’s success. Both highlighted the benefits of support groups for advice and emotional support. They urged new parents and school staff to be proactive, ask questions, collaborate with schools and CENMAC, and called for more research and awareness of assistive technologies.
Presenter Claire McReynolds from New City College presenting her case study ‘Exploring with Explorer: Embedding TD Snap within the curriculum in Seminar Room 2
Student presenters demonstrating how they use Proloquo app to support their communication
Exhibition Hall
The exhibition hall was busy throughout the day, and we are very grateful to all our exhibitors. It is a fantastic opportunity for our visitors to be able to see the wide range of assistive technologies that are available to support all types of abilities.
Find out more about our exhibitors:
Ace Centre, AT Superstore, Ayoa, BATA, CENMAC, Commtap CIC, Cosmo by Filisia, Communication Matters, Crick Software, Dolphin Computer Access, Everway (formerly Texthelp), Glean, Global Symbols, Humanware, Inspiration, Jabbla UK, Jiao, KJ’s Craft Time, LGfL – The National Grid for Learning, Liberator Ltd, OhBot, OM Interactive (OMi) Paige Connect, PODS, Pretorian Technologies Ltd, RIX Inclusive Research, Scanning Pens, SensePilot, Scribeasy Ltd, SeeAbility, Sensory Guru Ltd, ShareTheBoard, Smartbox, Smile Smart, Sphinx AI – Rileybot, Stix, Tobii Dynavox and Widgit.
> Find out more about our exhibitors
And our online exhibitors:
Voiceitt, SnapType, Eglas, Switchify, Celtic Magic, AdaptedCreations and Step Up Up AT
AI Smackdown
Charlie Danger and Luke Thompson presented our first AI Smackdown. This was a fun and interactive way to look at some of new technologies using AI.
We have complied a list with some more information about each of the AI tools presented.
Luke Thompson and Charlie Danger presenting the AI Smackdown
What our visitors said about Communication Works
We were delighted to read the comments that visitors wrote on our Feedback Wall. Here are some of them:
“Such an eye-opening day! Can’t wait to share what I’ve learned with my team.”
“Was an absolutely incredible day! Thank you everyone, so organised & informative. Just Brilliant!”
“An enjoyable day and heart felt conversations. Thanks!”
“Empowering & emotive! Thank you for the inspiration. 😊”
“Blown away by the wonderful speaker! Wow!!!”
“Pleasantly surprised, really informative. Thank you so much. xxxx”
“Great to see so many young people presenting!”
“Totally inspiring – I have so many thoughts about how I want to develop AAC in my borough. All due to this fab day.”
“Thank you for giving me the confidence to just go for it with something! Great opportunity to speak to people I haven’t yet found the time to contact!!”
“Very inspiring and moving presentations! Thank you. 😊”
Thank you for coming!
We are so grateful to everyone who attended! We will be sharing more soon so please sign up for our monthly newsletter or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky to stay informed.
