Communication Works 2026
Reserve your free tickets!
CENMAC, Charlton Park Academy and Ace Centre are pleased to announce that our annual event – Communication Works – a celebration of assistive technology in education, is back for 2026.
Communication Works South – Charlton, Greater London
Date: Wednesday 24th June 2026
Time: 9.15am to 4.00pm
Venue: Charlton Athletic Football Club, North Stand, The Valley, Floyd Road, London SE7 8BL
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Communication Works North – Oldham, Greater Manchester
Date: Friday 22nd May 2026
Time: 9.30am to 4.00pm
Location: Oldham Event Centre, Hilbre Ave, Oldham OL2 5BL
> More information and reserve your free ticket
About Communication Works
Communication Works is an opportunity for the SEND community to come together and see first-hand how our children and young people use assistive technology (AT) and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to access the curriculum and/or communicate. It provides a platform to celebrate their achievements and for them to get seen and be heard.
Showcasing Assistive and Accessible Technology
Communication Works gives visitors the chance to see a range of assistive and accessible technology, communication tools, digital strategies and person-centred approaches.
Communication Works South
Keynote Speaker – Gregor Gilmour
We are delighted to announce that our keynote speaker for Communication Works South 2026 is Gregor Gilmour.
Gregor is Co-Manager of the mentoring service ATtherapy. Gregor is one in a team of innovative AT mentors who use AAC and support other AAC users in their journeys to be confident, independent communicators. Gregor has athetoid cerebral palsy and has used a communication aid since he was 6 years old. Gregor uses his own lived experience to help others. The position gives him a real sense of purpose as he watches the skills and confidence of his mentees grow.
Gregor originally started mentoring at 1voice after many years as a member of the service. 1voice is a fantastic charity that organises social events for individuals and families who use AAC. They provide social connection and networking for AAC users and their families at any stage of their communication journey.
In his spare time Gregor plays Boccia, attends music concerts, theatre and festivals. He enjoys meals at the pub and spending time with his family and friends. He’s a huge supporter of Manchester City and likes to attend all home games!
We can’t wait to hear about Gregor’s communication journey and his valuable role as an AAC mentor.
Communication Works 2026
Celebrating Assistive Technology in Education
Watch the highlights video from Communication Works 2024
by student Calvin Long
Head of CENMAC Kathryn Stowell and Keynote Speaker Abdi Omar on stage at Communication Works 2025
Communication Works South 2026 Keynote speaker
Gregor Gilmour
Seminar Programme
The seminar programme runs throughout the day and features special guest speakers, CENMAC’s team of Advisory Teachers, Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists alongside product experts from a wide range of assistive technology companies. Some of our children and young people participate in the seminars and demonstrate the technology showing visitors how the technology works in practice.
Communication Works South 2026
Seminar with Laura Brown – Spinning World of Autism
We are excited to announce that Laura Brown parent of Ethan, an autistic 6 year old, who is non-speaking & a proud AAC user will be giving a special seminar. AAC advocacy is now at the heart of all Laura does to fight for her son, but also for all individuals who would benefit from access to an AAC device. Based on their positive AAC lived experience as a family, Laura is now a proud AAC advocate sharing their story across the UK as a confident speaker & in various media outlets. Highlights have included speaking at the Houses of Parliament for the APPG for Assistive Technology, being Keynote Speaker at Communication Works North, an ITV news feature showing Ethan’s AAC use in action, frequent radio interviews & writing an article for The National Autistic Society all about how her family have introduced & embraced AAC.
Communication Works South 2026 Seminar Presenter
Laura Brown with her son Ethan
Exhibition Space
The exhibition space provides our visitors with a great opportunity to see the latest innovations in assistive technology.
We invite a mix of established companies as well as start-ups and give them the opportunity to showcase their products and demonstrate how they can be implemented in school or at home.
Confirmed Exhibitors for 2026
Ace Centre, AT Superstore, Ayoa, BATA, Calibre Audio, CENMAC, Communication Matters, Commtap CIC, Cosmo Learning System, Crick Software, Dad in a Shed, Digit Learning, DiscoveryEd, Dolphin Computer Access, Douglas Stewart, Genio (formerly Glean), Inspiration, Jabbla UK, Kaz Type, KJ’s Craft Time, LGfL, Liberator, Nueralign, OhBot, PODs Play, Pretorian Technologies, ReadingWise, RIX Inclusive Research Institute, Scanning Pens, SeeAbility, Sensepilot, Sensory Guru, Smartbox, Spinning World of Autism, Teach Us Too, The Apogee Project, Tobii Dynavox, Vision Aid and Widgit.
> Find out more about our Exhibitors
If you are interested in exhibiting in 2026 please contact Annabel at adent@cenmac.com for the South Event and Ryan Crowe for the North Event at rcrowe@acecentre.org.uk.
More details will be available soon so please save the dates and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky for updates.
Exhibitor Liberator at Communication Works 2025 event
The Smartbox display at Communication Works 2025
Take a look at past Communication Works Events
Click on the links below to see keynote speeches, seminar presentations and photos from past Communication Works events.
MC and Keynote Speaker Khamani Edwards
at Communication Works 2025