Hot Topics at Communication Works South
What a day we had at Communication Works South on Wednesday 24th June. We want to say a very big thank you to everyone who came, particularly in light of the extreme heatwave we experienced on the day. It goes to show the level of commitment our SEND community has to supporting our children and young people. We’d also like to thank the team at the Charlton Athletic Football Club and the AV team from ML Executives who helped us run the day smoothly.
MC – Khamani Edwards, Student Voice Lead
Student Lead Khamani Edwards opened the day and shared how assistive technology has supported him throughout his education journey. At the age of just 19 he is an inspirational speaker and the CEO of his own business KJ’s Craft Time. He has achieved so much by having such a positive attitude to his learning, taking advice from the professionals that support him, being incredibly determined and having a great sense of humour.
Keynote Speaker – Gregor Gilmour, AT Mentor at ATtherapy
Our amazing keynote speaker was Gregor Gilmour. Gregor told how as a child with cerebral palsy he was dismissed as being someone who would never be educated or given the opportunity to learn.
He told how his parents struggled to get the support he needed. He has managed to overcome so many obstacles and shared how AAC has given him a voice, access to education and a brilliant career as an AT Mentor.
Watch the Welcome Speeches by Khamani Edwards, MC and CENMAC Student Voice Lead and Kathryn Stowell, Head of CENMAC
Watch the keynote speech by Gregor Gilmour. Gregor is an AT Mentor and Co-Manager at ATtherapy
Seminar Presenters:
We also want to thank our wonderful seminar presenters:
- Chantal Bryan OBE and Sarah Giles, Teach Us Too
- Laura Brown, Spinning World of Autism
- Danielle Moriarty, TA and her wonderful Year 5 pupil from Charlton Manor Primary School who joined CENMAC Advisory Teacher Maureen De Longhi and TA Isabelle Taylor
- Abdi Omar, The Limitless Entrepreneur who was joined by AssistiveWare, Jabbla UK, Tobii Dynavox and Smartbox.
- Claire Evans, SENCO and Charlotte Paraody, AT Lead from Middle Park Primary School and some of their fabulous pupils who joined CENMAC Advisory Teacher Carly Adkinson
- Clare Thorn, Pioneer School
- Bob Sagoo, Parent of Harchie
- Bradley Dardis, Learning Resources Consultant at LGfL
- David Howard, CENMAC
- Head of CENMAC Kathryn Stowell and Deputy Head Mary Long gave an update on the DfE’s Assistive Technology Lending Library (ATLL) and were joined by Sara Dale, SEN Advisory Service (SENAS) Manager & Physical/Medical Consultant, Trafford and Alan Davis, Assistive Technology Lead, Lancasterian School, Manchester
- Charlie Danger and Luke Thompson, CENMAC
The seminar sessions were recorded, and we will be sharing them soon.
Chantal Bryan OBE and Sarah Giles from Teach Us Too presenting
The Charlton Manor Primary Seminar Team
Exhibitors
We also want to thank all the technology companies who joined us as exhibitors for the day. It is amazing to see the range of assistive technology that is available and a great opportunity for our visitors to see technology that they might not have seen before. Thank you also to the companies who provided generous raffle prizes which were gratefully received by the winners.
> Find out more about our exhibitors
Student Art Exhibition
We hope you enjoyed the Student Art Exhibition on the way into the Exhibition Hall. We want to thank the students who lent us their amazing artworks for the day.
Student Music Performance
Ewa from Cosmo switches provided us with a musical performance at lunchtime with some of our wonderful students from Charlton Park Academy in St James’s Park Class who really enjoyed performing for our very appreciative crowd.
Alex from Pods with a visitor
Mike from Sensepilot with a visitor
Illustrating Communication Works
The whole day was documented by the fantastic graphic facilitator Pen Mendonca who illustrated key messages from the day. It was lovely to see some of the children being quite fascinated by her drawing and even joining in to help.
We will share more photos and videos with you soon. For now take a look at some of our photos of the day below.
Thanks again for coming!
Illustration: Key highlights of Communication Works 2026 in an illustrated mural by graphic facilitator Pen Mendonca.
> Download a poster for your setting
Illustration: Copyright Pen Mendonca 2026.
MC Khamani Edwards, opening Communication Works 2026 on the main stage
Gregor Gilmour, Keynote Speaker
Keynote speaker Gregor Gilmour, AT Mentor, ATtherapy
Visitors watching the speeches on the main stage
Kathryn Stowell, Head of CENMAC, giving her welcome speech on the main stage
Our wonderful visitors in front of the main stage
Abdi Omar presenting on an Universal Approach to AAC
Cosmo with students from Charlton Park Academy giving a lunchtime performance
Robert Mclaren from Policy Connect
Charlie Danger and Luke Thompson presenting on Beyond Eye Gaze
Middle Park Primary Seminar Presenters
David Howard presenting on Universally Accessible Software
Students having fun at the Pretorian Technologies display
Apogee Project display
Belinda Evans and Bradley Dardis at the LGfL display
Abdi Omar and Ber Allee enjoying lunch
Jabbla UK display
The Vault display
Student Art Exhibition
ReadingWise display
Inspiration display
International Exhibitors display
International Exhibitors – Colibri Interfaces
Busy in the Exhibition Hall
Dominic at the 1Voice display
Crick Software display
Scanning Pens display
Raffle time
Happy raffle prize winner
Khamani shaking hands with a raffle prize winner
Rob at the Sensory Guru display
Dominic at the 1Voice display
Autistic Inclusive Meets (AIM) display
Chris Peak, The Apogee Project and Bob Sagoo, Pretorian Technologies
Gustavo and Alan at the Everway display
VisionAid display
Russell Smith from Dad in a Shed
Tina Voizey at the Communication Matters display
Emily at the Neuralign display
Esther at The Vault display
International Exhibitors
Steve and Lance at the SeeAbility display
Student Artists with their art works
International Exhibitors – AbleSpeak and Kidosense
Katie at the Crick Software display
Ian at the Jabbla UK display
Charlie Danger at the Global Symbols display
Helena at the Genio display
Chantal and Sarah at the Teach Us Too display
Luke Thompson and Daniel Lawrence setting up the Jaio display
Alex at the pods display
Welcoming visitors to Communication Works at the reception desk
The Charlton Manor Primary Seminar
Gregor Gilmour on stage giving his key note speech
Cosmo Learning System on display
Kathryn introducing Gregor Gilmour’s seminar on AT Mentoring
Welcoming visitors at the reception area