A Welsh disability advocate and children’s author said he is ‘honoured’ to be nominated for a national arts award.
Gavin Clifton, who was born with Cerebral Palsy and severe speech impairment, has been shortlisted for the Arts Award at the Communication Matters AAC Awards 2025 in recognition of his ‘significant contribution to the arts as an assistive technology user’.
Launched in 2019, the charity’s annual awards night recognise the achievements of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) users, professionals and advocates.
AAC offers a range of strategies and tools to help people who struggle with speech. These may be simple letter or picture boards or sophisticated computer-based systems.
Gavin, 43, who uses an AAC device and AI-voice assistive technology to support his speech, is one of four AAC users nominated by a panel of judges in the category.
The Arts Award, created in memory of Alan Martin who championed the arts and creative inclusion through his work as a dancer, musician and comedian, is presented to a person, project or organisation who uses AAC (or supports people who do) and who have made a significant contribution to the arts.
The best-selling children’s author, motivational speaker and songwriter, known as ‘The Disabled Writer’, said:
“I’m honoured to be shortlisted for this award.
“I’ve spent my life finding ways to be heard in a world that often misunderstands people like me,” added Gavin, of Pentwynmawr, near Caerphilly.
“My ACC, and now AI-Voice, has become my outlet, my independence, and another way of showing that disability does not mean inability.
“It has opened doors to opportunities in storytelling, disability advocacy, and inspirational speaking that I have never been able to pursue before. With more education, understanding and patience, interactions using AAC and AI-Voice can make communication more inclusive for everyone.”
The author has published two children’s books that celebrate and embrace differences, disability, acceptance, friendship, kindness, courage and being ‘unapologetically yourself’, as well as his autobiography ‘Cerebral Palsy & Me’, recently released as an audiobook using AI-Voice software.
He added:
“Writing has always been my way of showing that difference is something to be celebrated, and I’m proud to be part of a community that champions creativity, inclusion, and representation.
“I hope my nomination shows others, especially young people with disabilities that their voice matters, their stories matter, and their creativity deserves to be celebrated.”
Gavin is passionate about raising the profile of disability and AAC through literature.
“Although there is still a long way to go, I’ll never give up advocating for a more accessible and inclusive society for all.”
Communication Matters is a registered charity that supports people of all ages and works across the UK to promote the best possible communication for people with complex communication needs.
The winners will be announced at a special evening of celebration, which takes place at the Royal Armouries, Leeds on September 8 as part of the charity’s International AAC Conference at the University of Leeds between 7 and 10th September.
