Memorandum and Articles of Association 1 To promote

Memorandum and Articles of Association 1. To promote, undertake, encourage and provide facilities for research 2. To promote, undertake, encourage and provide facilities for the treatment and rehabilitation 3. To promote and protect the physical and mental health of people with communication disorders, particularly but not exclusively through AAC strategies 4. To promote, undertake, encourage and provide facilities for the publication and exchange of information relating to research and strategies to support people who use AAC 5. To advance the education of members and the public about AAC and needs of people with communication disorders. CM 2008

4 Targets for 2007/8 1. Focus on the Bercow Review (and other government reviews) 2. Stronger links with other charities and disability organisations CM 2008

4 Targets for 2007/8 (cont’d) 3. Ensure Communication Matters financial viability 4. Survey of Associate Membership and wider AAC Community CM 2008

Bercow Review • 2007 – November: Consultation document – December: AAC Focus Group • 2008 – January: – March: – April: – May: – July: CM 2008 Submission Interim Report Scoping Event Final submission Report published

Other Government Reviews and Activities • Reviews – Scottish AAC Funding Review Campaign – resulting in a short life working party looking at provision and support – Independent Living Strategy – Lamb Enquiry • Networking and Letters – Letters and emails with Do. H, DCSF, ODI, Scottish Government – Briefing papers with Scope, Communication Trust and alone – Meetings Do. H and DCSF CM 2008

Stronger links with other charities and disability organisations Communication Trust/Consortium Scope 1 Voice • • Individual Consortium members Communications Forum Communication Forum Scotland Foundation for Assistive Technology CM 2008

Opportunities created QCA – 4 consultations and a focus group with teenagers Communication Trust Conference speaker Becta CM 2008 Universal Home Access Advisory Group

Sub-groups • • • Funding and Finance Publications Increasing Involvement ISAAC Awareness Raising Marketing Business Planning Conference Abstracts and Planning Study Days Web Development CM 2008

Funding and Finance • Financial Planning and Budgets • Fundraising - Becta £ 3000 for Project Jubilee - Conference sponsorship - Conference fundraising CM 2008

Publications • 2 new focus on leaflets – AAC in medical settings • In conjunction with practitioners and people who use AAC – Speaking with someone who uses AAC • Originated at CM 007 • Widely consulted with people who use AAC • Press releases • Website content (the next big job) CM 2008

Publications • E-News: +/- 3000 people • Journal – Technical Editor Patrick Poon – Editor Sally Millar CM 2008

Journal development – survey response • 79% share it with others • 75% found articles relevant to them – Liked conference papers, articles, research papers and diary dates • No preference to move from paper version • Want to on-line search articles CM 2008

Increasing Involvement Developments • • • AAC Forum for people who use AAC Strand at CM 2007 and CM 2008 Leadership Development Scheme Communication Cards CM 2008

Communication Cards • Originated from CM 2007 workshop • Business or post card size • Personal information • Key Tips for Communication CM 2008

Marketing • Review of mission and vision statements • Benefits of Communication Matters activities – Roadshows – Different categories of membership – Study days and conference • Support for business planning CM 2008

Conference Abstracts and Planning • Abstract Review • Programme • Liaison with speakers What you told us. . . . CM 2008

Survey response - Symposium • 50% never been to symposium – Delegates: 2007 373 2008 444 +18% • Reasons to attend (average 3 reasons) – Equal split networking, training, exhibition • 40% have presented, 70% would consider presenting • More adult acquired focus CM 2008

Training/Education • 58 sessions • 115 individual speakers (26% of attendees) • Strands – Child – Transition – Adult – People who use AAC – Research – High Tech/Low Tech CM 2008

Plenary Speakers 4 plenary sessions – Lucy Dobson and Katrina Moore – Sarah Ezekiel – John Bercow MP – Sarah Blackstone CM 2008

Exhibition 1 Voice CALL Scotland The Communication Trust Dyna. Vox Systems Ltd Inclusive Technology Ltd Liberator Ltd The Makaton Charity Mounts & More Ltd Possum Prox. Talker. com LLC QED Ltd Scope Sensory Software International The Signalong Group Smartbox Assistive Technology Ltd Techcess Ltd Toby Churchill Ltd Widgit Software CM 2008 ACE Centre Advisory Trust Wolfson Neurodisability Service

Study Days 2008 • 2008 eyes off the ball Change of strategy for remainder 2008 • November 5 2008: ICH London Eye Gaze Day Mick Donegan Speakers - high tech and low tech Workshop Exhibition CM 2008

Study Days 2009 Jan/Feb: The Role of Story Telling and Language Development: Annalu Waller, Nicola Grove, Rolf Black London, Manchester, Edinburgh June: AM Write to Talk, PM Phonic Awareness Caroline Musselwhite from USA London, Manchester, Scotland Dates TBC: Basics of AAC in Family settings CM 2008

Road Shows – survey response • Reasons to attend – Range equipment, try things out, talk to specific supplier – 97% will definitely/probably go again • Specific comments – More needed, locations sometimes iffy, more stuff for u 5’s and PMLD – Confirm suppliers attending beforehand CM 2008

Roadshows 2007 2008 • 16 shows • 1130 delegates • Wide range venues from church halls to hotels • 10 suppliers • 15 shows • 1247 delegates • Emphasis on better quality venues • 9 suppliers with new interest CM 2008

Membership Services CM 2008 • Support the board • All membership enquiries • Conference and study days • Road shows • Financial/legal Records • ISAAC • Communication channels • Website • Journal • E-news

2008 - Montreal • Major governance review – agreed changes, bylaws to be written • Over 40 UK delegates including 8 people who use AAC • Major awards included – Words + – Ablenet Literacy Award – Fellowship CM 2008

Fellow of • Toby Churchill • Over 30 years designing and manufacturing AAC – 3 rd oldest company • Respected world wide • To be presented here tomorrow (low key) CM 2008

Benefits of membership • NGO status to UNESCO • Knowledge of international developments – Equipment – Research – Best Practice • 4 key projects – LEAD – READ – BUILD – International Awareness of AAC CM 2008

LEAD • Leadership Project by and for people who use AAC – Guidelines on what is a leader – What is needed for good communication partners – Take up board and sub-group roles • Made CM think about what we could do – The Leadership Development Programme CM 2008

READ Research, Education, Awareness and Documentation Project – Making information accessible – Global exchange of information – Promotion of research and development of AAC – Dissemination of research findings CM 2008

UK Research • Lack of crucial research – Prevalence – Evidence of need • Excellent work carried out in universities and centres • Focus needed via collaboration • Opportunity with BIG Lottery CM 2008

Communication Matters Research Strategy • Research that will underpin a statutory right of an individual to assessment of need and where appropriate the provision of AAC and ongoing support services • Research that aims to influences local and national policy and practice and leads to better services and interventions for people who use AAC by understanding their needs, the impact of specific impairments and the difference being able to communicate effectively brings • Research that promotes community learning and creates opportunities for people who use AAC and their families CM 2008

How research will happen • Collaborative bidding with institutions/organisations working in field AAC – Expressions of interest from 11 groups • Initial bid to BIG Lottery up to £ 500 k • Setting up an independent research panel – volunteers needed – Annika Dahlgren-Sandberg agreed to be an advisor CM 2008

BUILD • Supporting emerging AAC nations by sharing information • Encourage volunteers to spend time in developing countries CM 2008

ISAAC Awareness Raising • Many Stories One Voice contest – 125 entries, 34 from UK – International Youth winner Sean Lucas age 7 from Swindon – All stories on USAAC website CM 2008

Judging Process • All entries had names removed • Panel of judges – Roz Brown – Lizzie Ball – Tina Dethridge – Jayne Glass – Bernie Henderson – Toby Hewson CM 2008

Project Jubilee 23 October 6 pm – 3 authors invited to 11 Downing Street • Sean Lucas (age 11 and under group) • Beth Moulam (age 11 -18 group) • Alan Martin (Adult) – Guest speakers • Nicola Grove • and ? ? to read a story – Target media coverage – Sponsorship by Becta – Places for members (by draw) CM 2008

October 2008 • Public Story Readings – All UK stories here – Stories all on symbolworld. com http: //www. symbolworld. org/index. htm – Organise something and tell us about it CM 2008

Income/Goodwill Review of current resources: Income 2007 Profit at y/e 2007 £ 188, 496 £ 30, 000 379 Days from volunteers £ 67, 462 225 days @ £ 40, 000 salary Donated services/goods CM 2008 £ 6, 000

Sustainability • Communication Matters can have a massive impact • Input with volunteer Trustees not sustainable longer term • Time to consult CM 2008

On line survey – January 2008 • Added a set of questions – what do you want CM to prioritize? • Response rate: 438 people • Match between respondents and associate membership categories CM 2008

Priorities for Communication Matters % Priority. High Med Not Rel Low Increasing awareness PWUAAC/families 99% 85 14 2 1 Increasing awareness of AAC 97% 85 14 0 1 Lobbying 94% Education all AAC community: conference, study Days and roadshows 98% Links to government departments etc 94% Focal point for research in AAC community 92% Definite information resource for AAC and signposting 93% Workforce development via accreditation of training, networks for clinical supervision, signposting to training 90% Resources for benchmarking/evaluating BP 90% 72 67 22 31 4 1 1 1 61 48 46 33 44 47 5 7 8 1 1 1 42 48 9 1 40 50 9 1 Developing multidisciplinary working charter 84% 36 48 14 2 CM 2008

Why Communication Matters? • Established since 1986 • Communication Matters is THE national organisation for AAC • Sole focus AAC, cradle to grave • UK Chapter of ISAAC and NGO status • Strength of associate membership • Strength of trans-disciplinary approach CM 2008

What if we do? What if we don’t • Don’t change – Continue to run symposium, study days and roadshows – Let slip networks made in 2007/2008 – No-one will want to be Chair in future – Another organisation may try to take AAC lead • Do change – Become a serious player, a voice to be reckoned with – Deliver in areas outlined as a priority – Role of Trustee becomes strategic not hands on CM 2008

Trustees’ Vision Doing everything we do now but even better • The information point for AAC – Journal, website, literature, physical library • Lead on awareness raising • Support for people who use AAC and families • Lead on research and strategic direction • Workforce development programme THE national organisation for AAC across UK CM 2008

People who use AAC and families Practitioner s Organisation s Communicati on Matters Supplier s CM 2008 Researche rs and Lecturers

The Trustees Actions • January: • April/May: • June/July: • September: CM 2008 Agreed action needed/Survey Draft business plan and resource plan Agreed vision/plans Info out on e: news Password to web pages to associate members for comment Research strategy Associate Members Meeting

The next steps • Employing a bid writer to make bids to Lottery Reaching Communities and Trusts NB: Time limited/maximum commitment • Additional resource committed for Patrick Poon to allow support for Chair short term • Bids to include funding for CEO, additional admin and project manager including infrastructure • Once core funding agreed carry out project work CM 2008

The cost of the plans • Focus only on core funding • Project work must wait until core funding established • Bid writer costs capped at £ 7000 (14 days @ £ 500) • Additional support for Admin £ 4000 in 2008 • Planning £ 1000 CM 2008

Next steps Look at the finances then decide CM 2008

Treasurers Report 2008 Neil Hansen CM 2008

Membership Overview 500 Total Members 464 450 431 401 414 397 400 386 379 393 354 350 300 250 Total Members 200 150 100 50 0 2000 CM 2008 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Membership, Categories & Symposium 500 450 464 431 386379 400 444437 383 362 350 299 300 265 2004 235240 250 2005 2006 2007 150 100 49 49 46 39 50 68 66 23 23 21 18 78 76 25 28 6 6 0 Total Members CM 2008 Symposium Attendees Individual Organisations Commercial Student & Retired PWUAAC & FM

2007 Accounts & Audit 2007 Accounts 1. Income Membership fees Conference- 2 -day CM Road Shows CM Journal Sales (adverts & overseas) Other Journals CM Publications Study Days Donations Bank interest Awards for All grant TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES £ 20, 550 94, 052 34, 003 2, 454 8, 459 1, 222 11, 830 2, 682 3, 243 10, 000 188, 495 2. Expenditure Capitation to ISAAC International Conference- 2 -day CM Road Shows & study days CM Journal Other Journals Administration Awards for All Grant Charity Governance Membership Accounts & audit TOTAL EXPENDITURE Change in reserve NB: due to rounding errors for pence - pound figures are not exact £ 4, 977 70, 735 33, 686 2, 277 7, 667 8, 411 10, 000 15, 763 907 4, 040 158, 463 30, 033 £ 76, 429 Assets at end of 2007 CM 2008 Assets at end of 2006 £ 106, 643

Income vs. Expenditure 200, 000. 00 180, 000. 00 160, 000. 00 140, 000. 00 120, 000. 00 Income 100, 000. 00 Expenditure 80, 000. 00 60, 000. 00 40, 000. 00 20, 000. 00 1995 CM 2008 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Change in reserves 120, 000. 00 100, 000. 00 80, 000. 00 60, 000. 00 Reserves 40, 000. 00 Reserve Value Change Allocated Reserve 20, 000. 00 1995 -20, 000. 00 -40, 000. 00 CM 2008 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

2008 Current 1. Income Membership fees Conference- 2 -day CM Road Shows CM Journal Sales (adverts & overseas) Other Journals CM Publications Study Days Donations Bank interest Awards for All grant TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES Overall estimate 5% increase on 2007 CM 2008 £ 21, 570 98, 752 35, 000 2, 500 8, 750 1, 222 3, 000 930 3, 800 175, 524 2. Expenditure Capitation to ISAAC International Conference- 2 -day CM Road Shows & study days CM Journal Other Journals Administration Subsidies pwuaac and families Charity Governance Membership Accounts & audit TOTAL EXPENDITURE Additional expenses agreed Leadership Development Programme Reprint focus on range Website development Planned expenditure for 2008 Planned overspend for 2008 £ 4, 977 78, 000 34, 000 2, 350 8, 000 8, 800 10, 000 17, 500 1, 000 4, 040 168, 667 2, 500 3, 000 2, 000 176, 167 £-643

Additional Expenditure 2008 Assets at 31. 12. 07 Reserve needed* Available for development £ 106, 436 £ 90, 000 £ 16, 436 *Cost conference/dissolving charity Add'l Admin Resource July-Dec £ Bid writer £ Development vision** £ **Research collaboration Regional Centres CM 2008 4, 000 7, 000 1, 000

2009 Budget Current Plan (no change) 2008 + inflation And subject to successful bids NEW with Core costs for paid staff CM 2008