Co-presented by Beth Moulam and Joanna Holmes 

Workshop overview 

In this online workshop, Beth and Jo share their professional and personal experiences and combine them to present a model outlining the skills needed by different communication partners.

This workshop is FREE for AGOSCI members, non-members are welcome to purchase a ticket to attend. 

Learning outcomes

1. Understand who a communication partner is 
2. Learn how to assess the skills someone needs as a communication partner 
3. Recognise the skills that make an effective communication partner
4. Apply communication partner tips from Beth and Jo. 

Target audience

AAC users, parents, support workers and professionals. 

Workshop details 

• This is a LIVE workshop, held online via Zoom
• This workshop will run for 1.5 hours, including time for Q & A at the end 
• This workshop is FREE for AGOSCI members, non-members are welcome to purchase a ticket to attend
• This workshop will be recorded. A link to the recording and any workshop resources will be emailed to all participants. The workshop recording will also be available to purchase on demand for 12 months. 
• If you do not wish to have your audio or video recorded, please keep your camera off and microphone on mute. 

Workshop date

Monday 20 April 2026 

Workshop start times

VIC/NSW/ACT/TAS/QLD: 7pm

SA/NT: 6:30pm

WA: 5pm 

Co-presenters

Beth Moulam has had a lifelong passion to empower augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) users to fulfil their own communication potential. As an advocate, Beth draws on both her own lived experience of using AAC and assistive technology on a daily basis for nearly 30 years, combining this with post-graduate research skills in social policy.  She has a Master of Research (Distinction) in social policy from the University of York, this focused on the effectiveness of policy and provision of AAC for children in England.  Beth is a Trustee of Communication Matters; the UK Chapter of ISAAC, and Patron of 1 Voice; a UK charity for young AAC users and their families.  In 2024 Beth was awarded by Manchester Metropolitan University an honorary PhD for her advocacy work and as a Paralympian, having represented Great Britain in the sport of boccia at Tokyo 2020. In 2024 she was nominated on the Disability Power 100 list (top UK disabled influencers) as the nation’s Number 1 Grassroots and Community advocate. Beth has been speaking at international conferences and events since she was 12. In addition, she mentors, coaches and runs workshops for AAC users, families, in schools, students in higher education, and for professional groups. Beth has a book "How to live audAACiously: The ultimate lived experience guide to AAC" out on 19 November 2026. Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, it is available now for pre-order on Amazon. This is the book Beth says she wished she had growing up, a practical resource to using AAC full of hints, tips and guidance from being a child through to using AAC as an adult.

Joanna Holmes is a parent/carer, blogger and former Speech and Language Therapist (SLT). She lives in Yorkshire with her husband Drew and their daughter Lucy who has Emanuel Syndrome. She divides her time between parent caring, a blog and social media profile ‘Mummy vs AAC’, the AAC Connection Facebook group, working for Born at the Right Time and more hobbies than are probably reasonable. As an SLT, Jo worked in special schools, general paediatrics, with bilingual families, with children and adults who stammer (stutter) and with adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities. She completed an MSc in Advanced Practice in 2014. Jo has learnt more than she ever thought possible since she became Lucy’s Mummy. This has made her reflect on who the real experts are and what the role of professionals should be. She’s passionate about everyone having interactions and conversations where they feel valued and supported.

Disclosure

AGOSCI is grateful to Beth and Jo for presenting this workshop to the AGOSCI community. 

The co-presenters are not receiving any monetary compensation for this presentation. However, they may receive non-monetary benefits, including but not limited to promotional opportunities, or other in-kind support associated with their participation.

AGOSCI acknowledges that differing views and opinions may be discussed throughout this workshop and may not always align with AGOSCI philosophies.

AGOSCI is an independent body and does not endorse individual products or brands.

AGOSCI acknowledges the presence and contributions of all suppliers and resources available in the Australian and International AAC marketplace.

Registration and cancellation policy

Updated May 2025

Registration is only confirmed upon full payment of fee. Please note total ticket price will include an additional $0.69 + 0.7% per transaction service fee. To access the discounted rate for members you must be logged into your AGOSCI member account prior to registration. 

• 100% refund minus the service fee ($0.69 + 0.7% per transaction) until 60 days before event
• 50% refund minus the service fee ($0.69 + 0.7% per transaction) between 8-59 days before event
• No refunds within 0-7 days before event start date
• If the event is cancelled by AGOSCI you will receive 100% refund including the service fee ($0.69 + 0.7% per transaction)

Applications for registrations are subject to final approval by AGOSCI to ensure fair and equal access to events across organisations. Waitlist registrations will be taken upon all positions being filled.