ATIA 2026 graphic. The conference tooko place January 29-31, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. There is a picture of a person testing a piece of assistive technology and a picture of the crowded exhibit hall.

ATIA 2026 Conference Highlights

Even Mother Nature couldn’t keep the AT community apart! While snow fell in unexpected places and chilly temperatures blanketed the country, over 2,800 attendees gathered in Orlando to do what the AT community does best: learn together, support each other, and celebrate the incredible work happening in assistive technology. The conference also introduced ATIA Navigator, a new AI-powered tool that helped attendees find answers quickly and create personalized schedules, making it easier than ever to navigate the conference.

ATIA 2026 by the Numbers

  • Over 5,200 in-person and Virtual Event attendees
  • 3,000 in-person attendees
  • Over 125 exhibitors

Here are a few highlights in case you weren’t able to join us in person or want to revisit your favorite moments.

Pre-Conference Seminars: A Strong Start to the Week

Thirteen Pre-Conference Seminars kicked off the week, offering immersive learning experiences in 1.5-day, 1-day, and half-day formats. Topics included designing experiences to teach language using AAC, emerging technology that supports aging adults with disabilities, and using adaptive gaming for fun and function. These are just a few of the many engaging topics covered.

Education and Poster Sessions: 400+ Opportunities to Learn

Education sessions began Thursday and ran through Saturday, featuring 400+ education and poster sessions. Presenters shared practical strategies, research insights, and real-world applications that attendees could take back to their work and communities.

Sessions strands included Aging & AT, AT for Physical Access and Participation, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Education & Learning: Early Intervention – 12/Higher Education, Leadership, Mainstream Accessible Technologies, Research, Workplace & AT, and Vision & Hearing Technologies.

Exhibit Hall: AT Innovation on Full Display

The Exhibit Hall opened Thursday with over 125 exhibitors showcasing their assistive technology products, answering questions, and helping attendees find tools to fit their needs. The Exhibit Hall was jam-packed all week and there was so much for attendees to explore!

ATIA 2026 Celebration

After a full day of learning and exploring the Exhibit Hall, Thursday night offered the perfect opportunity to unwind at the ATIA Celebration! This year’s party included the addition of games and two talented magicians, alongside the music, desserts, and drinks that partygoers have come to love. It was an evening of laughter, connection, and community – exactly what makes ATIA special.

2026 Prentke AAC Distinguished Lecture

Congratulations to the 2026 Prentke AAC Distinguished Lecturer, Mateo Moreno! He presented Stories from the Kid with a Talking Box: The Vital Role of AAC Users in Educating Peers about AAC and Inclusion, and shared his experiences as an AAC user from a young age, what he has learned from visiting classrooms to talk with over 2,500 students about AAC, disability and inclusion. Watch the session recording

Upcoming Conference Updates: The Future is Bright (and Exciting!)

During Friday morning’s Highlights session we honored the 2026 Joy Zabala Spirit Award recipients, and made some important announcements about future ATIA conferences.

  • Mark your calendars for a shift in days for ATIA 2027. Next year’s conference will move to a Friday – Sunday format taking place on January 22-24, 2027, at the Orlando World Center Marriott.
  • In 2028 we move to a new month! ATIA 2028 will take place on February 24-26, 2028, at the Orlando World Center Marriott.
  • In 2029, ATIA is heading to Las Vegas! We’re excited to share that ATIA 2029 will be held at the Rio in Las Vegas from January 31 to February 2, 2029. It’s a fun and vibrant spot, and we can’t wait for you to experience it with us.

EdCamp Access International

Friday evening’s EdCamp Access International brought participants together to discuss conference takeaways and develop strategies to turn conference inspiration into real-world action.

Maker Day

So many interesting DIY ideas were shared at this year’s Maker Day!On Saturday, AT makers gathered to share everything from low-tech solutions to modified technology solutions and explored a wide range of creations that have helped solve challenges in the AT community. The maker community is comprised of people—high school STEM and robotics students, hobbyists and DIY electronics enthusiasts—who are interested in using their skills to create and make solutions for people with disabilities.

Brad and Dan from All Access Life were back at Maker Day with their adaptive gaming station, with Brad taking on all challengers (including our own David Dikter) in a game of Divekick.