Since 1981, AGOSCI has been a powerful voice and a thriving community for people who do not rely on speech alone to communicate.
AGOSCI Conferences have become a beacon of connection, learning, and inclusivity, advocating for those with diverse communication needs. The conferences bring together professionals, researchers, educators, mutlimodal communicators and their families and supporters to share insights and innovations in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). But what truly defines the success of an event is the experience of its delegates.
With the most recent iteration of the Conference having just wrapped up in March 2025, we take a look at feedback from attendees from 2025, 2022 and 2019, to explore the conference through their eyes — what resonated, what inspired, and what they hope to see in the future.
A welcoming and inclusive experience
For many, AGOSCI is more than just a conference – it’s an inclusive space where accessibility is fully embedded in every experience. Delegates frequently praised the inclusive environment, with 92% in 2022 and 95% in 2025 rating accessibility as excellent or good, a noticeable improvement from the 80% who rated it excellent or good in 2019.
Another delegate from 2025 said: “This was the best conference I have been to. I really valued the lived experience voices. It was such a wonderful learning environment with different people including providers, families and clients living with communication challenges coming together to share experiences and advocacy.
Venue accessibility is of paramount importance and our venue partners at Adelaide Convention Centre were committed to creating an experience everyone could enjoy, with thoughtful planning and an easy to navigate and convenient layout. The Centre provided Floor Ambassadors for convenience to delegates upon their arrival and during their attendance.
From AAC-friendly presentations to the carefully considered venue layout, accessibility remains a core strength of AGOSCI. Delegates praised the availability of quiet spaces, the knowledge of onsite staff and communication-friendly resources.
Networking: an increasingly important component
Beyond the sessions, delegates found immense value in opportunities to collaborate with other attendees. In 2019, 74% of delegates said they made valuable professional connections; by 2025, this number had grown to 82%.
The informal networking sessions, social events, and opportunities to meet AAC users created a sense of community that many found invaluable.
“The networking sessions were invaluable — I met so many people who truly understand the challenges and triumphs in this field,” said one 2025 attendee.
And a 2022 delegate wrote: “I enjoyed being able to network with other professionals and interact with people who use AAC to communicate.”
Suggestions taken on board
The fundamental principle of AGOSCI is that communication is a human right, and the group works to break down barriers and foster understanding,
In this vein, the association welcomes the opportunity for delegates to provide ideas that support new innovative activations that help shape the conference.
2022 saw the introduction of Base Camp – a space where people could connect during the Conference, with games and entertainment including mask decorating and face painting. It was so popular that organisers brought it back in 2025.
Attendee dietary requirements focusing on food that can be blended for easy consumption is crucial for the catering brief.
This was addressed with greater consideration to menus in 2025 as well as Adelaide Convention Centre staff offering bespoke blended meals for attendees with dietary requirements as opposed to attendee-operated blending stations in previous years. This was appreciated by attendees, as one commented: “The food at the conference was EXCEPTIONAL – best conference food I have ever had. I have odd food allergies (eggs, nuts and seafood) and there were always a range of food options for me to choose from which were incredibly delicious.”
Final Thoughts
AGOSCI Conferences are a platform where knowledge meets action, where accessibility isn’t just discussed but demonstrated, and where a community comes together to drive change.
As we look to AGOSCI 2027, one thing is clear: the conference creates a space where all voices are heard and delivers on the hosts vision for a world where everyone – regardless of how they communicate – can connect, contribute, and thrive.