Thousands of people from around the world-from entrepreneurs and tech industry executives to academics and persons with disabilities-are expected to gather in late March in San Diego to explore new ways technology can help the disabled.
Cal State Northridge’s 25th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference-the largest of its kind in the world-is scheduled to take place March 22-27 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego, Calif.
“Those who attend will be able to network with visionary thinkers, learn about innovative solutions and interact with technology that has the potential to change lives in a hands-on environment,” said Sandy Plotin, managing director of Northridge’s Center on Disabilities, which organizes the internationally acclaimed conference every year.
Traditionally, the conference has been held in the Los Angeles area. Over the years the conference has grown to about 5,000 attendees, forcing organizers to split it between two hotels. Organizers chose to move the conference to San Diego this year as a way of enabling its participants to gather in one place.
“For the first time in many years, we will be able to host the entire event under one roof, which is a win-win for everyone,” Plotin said. “The excitement has been building since we first announced the move. The proximity of active military personnel and veterans also is a wonderful opportunity resulting from the move, and we are really looking forward to reaching out to this community.”
The conference examines all aspects of technology and disability and features a faculty of internationally recognized speakers, two days of pre-conference workshops, more than 300 general session workshops and more than 140 exhibitors displaying the latest technology for persons with disabilities.
Capt. Ivan Castro, one of only three blind officers serving on active duty in the Army and the only blind officer serving in the U.S. Army Special Forces, will give the conference’s keynote address at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23.
In addition to the conference celebrating its 25th anniversary, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) will be marking its 20th anniversary of providing free services to federal employees with disabilities and wounded service members with a special event following the keynote address.
For more information about the conference or how to register, visit the Center on Disabilities’ Web site at www.csunconference.org or call the center at (818) 677-2578 V/TTY.
The Center on Disabilities at California State University, Northridge is committed to the vision of an inclusive society in which persons of all abilities have the chance to achieve their goals and experience success. Through the provision of training and research, it nurtures learning and innovation to improve the world for people with disabilities.
California State University, Northridge has more than 35,000 full- and part-time students and offers 66 bachelor’s and 53 master’s degrees as well as 28 teaching credential programs. Founded in 1958, CSUN is among the largest single-campus universities in the nation and the only four-year public university in the San Fernando Valley. The university serves as the intellectual, economic and cultural heart of the Valley and beyond.