Course Level: Introductory

Course Runtime: 1 hour.

Course Format: E-learning – text and video.

This course is a video recording of a conference talk from Smartbox’s 24 Hours of AAC virtual conference held on 6–7 May 2026.

Description

This conference talk explores Jamie Preece's journey as a late AAC user and the impact AAC has had on his communication, independence, and participation in everyday life. Through conversation with his partner Emma and Smartbox CEO Dougal Hawes, Jamie shares how AAC opened new opportunities for self-advocacy, employment, relationships, and community involvement, while reflecting on the challenges he faced before accessing AAC.

The session also discusses re-voicing as part of a multimodal communication approach, the importance of mental health support for AAC users, and why giving people control over their own vocabulary is essential. Through his lived experience, Jamie highlights the importance of effective communication, inclusion, and ensuring AAC users can participate in society in meaningful ways.

This talk is suitable for anyone wanting to learn more about AAC. This includes professionals new to the field such as Speech and Language professionals, Educators and Occupational Therapists. It is also suitable for families and those supporting an individual on their AAC journey.

Course outline

This talk covers:

• Jamie's journey to becoming an AAC user as an adult.
• The impact of AAC on communication, independence, and participation.
• Understanding re-voicing and its role within a multimodal communication toolkit.
• The importance of mental health support for AAC users.
• Personalising AAC vocabulary and promoting self-advocacy.
• The role of communication partners in supporting AAC.
• Advocacy, inclusion, and the future of AAC.

Content disclosure: This course may use examples predominantly from Smartbox Products, other products will be included in a limited format.

Learner outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Define what “re-voicing” means.
• List at least one reason why discussing mental health with AAC users is important.
• Describe how AAC can support an individual's independence and participation in everyday life.

Completion requirements: You must complete all course content including reading all text and watching all video content. This course is assessed via a multiple-choice, five-question knowledge check at the end of the course. The pass score is 80%. You can take the knowledge check multiple times.

Instructor bios

Dougal Hawes | Group CEO for Smartbox

Dougal joined Smartbox in 2004 as part of the company's founding family. Through close collaboration with AAC users, speech and language therapists, families, and support teams, he developed a deep understanding of assistive technology and the impact of communication support. As Group CEO, he is passionate about expanding access to AAC and supporting people with communication needs around the world.

Jamie Preece | AAC User

Jamie Preece has cerebral palsy and has used AAC for the past 14 years. He communicates through vocalisations, his AAC device, and re-voicing support from his partner, Emma. Jamie is a service user representative at Barnsley Hospital Assistive Technology Department, performs stand-up comedy using his Grid Pad, teaches AAC users how to edit their systems, serves on the ISAAC Lead Committee, and contributes to AAC research projects.

View full instructor bios.

Disclosures

Financial disclosures: Jamie received a small annual honorarium from Smartbox to support internal presentations to Smartbox staff. He is also receiving an honorarium for this talk. Dougal is an employee of Smartbox Assistive Technology and receives a salary.

Non-financial disclosures: Jamie has used a device from Smartbox for a number of years supplied by the NHS assessment service. Jamie volunteers at the Barnsley Hospital Assistive Technology Department. Dougal has no relevant non-financial disclosure.