It is exciting to see the quality and number of events happening every year related to our community. People with visual and/or hearing disabilities, their families, educators, health professionals and technology companies, all hold events that are a place to share experiences, discuss policy issues, plan for advocacy, improve teaching methods, learn about new technologies, etc.
This year is no different. The first event in our radar is at the end of this month and then our community will intensify its activity during the summer. We are highlighting here some of the most important events. Fortunately, there are many more conferences, seminars, and conventions all year round that provide numerous opportunities to get involve, share and learn.
January 29 - February 1
"National Federation of the Blind Washington Seminar" - Washington, DC
The Washington Seminar is an annual event of the National Federation of the Blind to introduce the agenda of blind Americans. During the Seminar the priority issues requiring congressional attention over the coming year are selected.
January 30 - February 3
"Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) Conference" - Orlando, Florida
The ATIA Conference addresses all disabilities and all types of assistive technology for all ages, from early childhood to seniors. Sessions and events embrace the education market, university-level disability services, technology for independent living, accommodations for the workplace, the needs of an aging population, and research on technology developments and outcomes.
March 19 – 23
“33rd CSUN Assistive Technology Conference” – San Diego, California
Hosted by the California State University Center on Disabilities.
April 5 - 7
“American Foundation for the Blind Leadership Conference” - Oakland, California
It covers the most pressing and relevant topics in the field of blindness and offers many opportunities to learn from the brightest minds in the field of blindness, make new connections, reunite with old friends and earn continuing education credits.
April 15 - 18
"Network of the Americas Conference" - Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Deafblind International and Perkins School for the Blind will host the first-ever Network of the Americas Conference. It is an opportunity to network, learn and have fun with leaders in the field of deafblindness from Canada, the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean.
June 11 - 13
“The M-Enabling Summit” - Washington, DC
It is an event dedicated to promoting accessible and assistive technology for senior citizens and users of all abilities.
June 29 - July 6
“American Council of the Blind 57th Annual Conference and Convention” - St. Louis, Missouri
Among the participants of the convention there will be blind entrepreneurs, students, teachers, rehabilitation professionals, attorneys, musicians, parents and grandparents. There will be people looking for work and people who use all kinds of adaptive technology; people who are interested in large print, recorded, digital and braille products; elderly people who are just learning to live with vision loss; and young people attending college and just starting new careers.
July 2- 7
"54th Biennial National Association of the Deaf Conference" - Hartford, Connecticut
July 3 - 8
“National Federation of the Blind National Convention 2018” - Orlando, Florida
Its primary function is to serve as the governing body for the National Federation of the Blind. At the convention, national officers and board members are elected by the general membership, decisions concerning the organization are made, and policies are set for the following year or years. Those who are new to blindness and parents and teachers of blind children can meet and learn from successful role models. It is also a place to make friends. In addition, the latest adaptive technology for the blind is on display.
July 11 - 15
"Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America Conference" - Arlington, Virginia
It is designed by and for people passionate about the use of assistive technology to improve the health and well-being of people with disabilities.
July 25 - 29
"Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) International Conference 2018" - Reno, Nevada
Conference Theme: Evolve. Empower. Succeed.
It is a place where vision professionals can learn about the latest information, evidence-based practices, strategies and solutions on education and rehabilitation of the blind and visually impaired.
September 24- 28,
"Closing the Gap 2018 - 36th Annual Conference" - Prior Lake, MN
Topics of the Conference will cover a broad spectrum of technology as it is being applied to all disabilities and age groups in education, rehabilitation, vocation, and independent living. People with disabilities, special educators, rehabilitation professionals, administrators, service/care providers, personnel managers, government officials and hardware/software developers will share their experiences and insights.
