Our presenters

Ann Sullivan has over 35 years’ experience in mainstream and specialist education, with a specialism in working with learners with complex needs. She is the author of the Phonics for Pupils with Special Educational Needs, a linguistic phonics programme designed for learners with a range of complex additional needs, the Pathway to Phonics programme, Access to Phonics book and A Parent’s Guide to Phonics book published by Dorling Kindersley in 2024. She is now an educational consultant, writer and trainer

Website for more information: phonicsforpupilswithspecialeducationalneeds.com

Katy is a teacher with 17 years teaching experience and holds an MA in Inclusive Education with a specialism in Assistive Technology. She has worked as a Senior AAC Consultant at Ace Centre for the last 5 years, where she specialises in supporting individuals with complex communication and access to technology needs. She is also the Partnerships and Consultancy Manager at Ace Centre, working with organisations to ensure effective implementation for AT/AAC end users.
 
Katy is also the co-author of 'AAC /Aided Language in the Classroom', a book focused on breaking down barriers for learners with complex language and communication needs.

May is a teacher, having worked in both mainstream primary and SEND schools for 10 years, where she taught pupils using a wide range of AAC.  She has been a Senior AAC Consultant at Ace Centre for 5 years, with a keen interest in training and supporting schools in how best to implement assistive technology and AAC to meet the needs of their learners with complex speech, language and communication needs, as well as complex access needs.

Natasha is an AAC Consultant and has worked at Ace Centre since 2023. Originally from Australia, she is an Occupational Therapist by background, and has called the UK home since 2018.

Natasha enjoys exploring creative, practical ways to make communication accessible in any situation and helping people of all ages find communication solutions that fit their lives, whether that’s a high-tech AAC device, a laminated alphabet chart, or something in between.

Natasha is passionate about the vital role communication plays in shaping connection, independence, and participation within daily meaningful activities (referred to as occupations in the OT world), and sees communication as an essential occupation in its own right.

Samantha is a Senior AAC Consultant and has worked for Ace Centre for the past ten years. She is an Occupational Therapist by background.

As part of the Ace Centre team, Samantha has co-ordinated the “AAC Policy: A Guide to Developing an Effective AAC Policy in Education Settings” and presented at a number of conferences including Communication Works, Communication Matters and ATIA (Assistive Technology Industry Association).

Samantha has a particular interest in complex access solutions, using technology to support learning in the classroom (she often has a switch to hand!), and using AAC to support our younger clients to participate in play activities.