Students shape the future of AAC with Smartbox
National Star students and former students are helping shape the future of assistive technology and AAC. During a special Smartbox event, they led workshops with technology leaders, sharing their experiences and insights on the tools they rely on every day.
A group of National Star students and former students are having a say about the future of assistive technology.
They led workshops with technology executives from around the world during a special event hosted by Smartbox.
Smartbox is a market-leading provider of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technology, designed to support communication, connection and independence for people with speech and language disabilities.
Students shaping the future of AAC technology
Eight students and seven former students, who all use electronic devices to communicate, spoke about what improvements to the technology would have the biggest impact on their lives.
Second year student Poppy, who is known as Pops, said: ‘It was important to be included in the event because I want to see the future of the AAC. Smartbox wanted to hear the views of students and ex-students about using AAC. I like to get involved with things because I’m motivated, a good communicator and I am good as a student advocate.’
Smartbox leaders learn from lived experience
Dougal Hawes, Smartbox Group CEO, said: ‘We host an annual away day each year with Smartbox leaders from around the world as a chance to pause, reflect, and remind ourselves why we do what we do. Being welcomed into National Star to hear and learn from the people who shape our technology was hugely impactful for our team. Their creativity, honesty and generosity have sparked new ideas across our organisation in so many ways. We left feeling energised, humbled, and inspired.
‘At Smartbox, we believe it’s important to design technology collaboratively with the people who use AAC. Our workshops at National Star were a brilliant opportunity to hear the stories and lived experiences of students and explore what the future of AAC should look like together. These insights will directly influence our product roadmap and help us keep pushing for communication solutions that are more intuitive, more personal and more empowering than ever.’
Last reviewed on 10/12/2025