Long Beach · 13 - 14 January 2027

Conference Program

Two days of accredited education for the professionals who assess, prescribe, supply and support complex rehab and assistive technology. Co-located with Abilities Expo Los Angeles.

9.75Hours of content across two days

0.975CEUs available to each delegate

3Content tracks running in parallel

4Content partners shaping the program

Who it's for

A professional-only conference

Every session is written for people working in complex rehab and assistive technology, and submitted for continuing education credit. The program is not designed to be consumer or family-facing.

Physical therapists
Occupational therapists
Assistive technology professionals
Speech-language pathologists
Rehab case managers
DME and equipment suppliers
Students entering the field

One hour of continuing education awards 0.1 CEUs. Accreditation is managed for us by the University of Pittsburgh, and confirmed credit values are published against each session as they are approved.

The program

Three tracks, running side by side

Tracks are how you find the right session, not where you sit. Every track runs across both days, and you can move between them freely. Select a track to see what it covers.

You'll cover

Evaluation, clinical reasoning and the mat exam
Documentation, justification and outcome measures
Funding routes: insurance, private, charitable, mainstream and DIY
Standards and specification across wheelchairs and seating
Assistive technology assessment across the lifespan

Best suited to ATPs, PTs, OTs and case managers.

You'll cover

Manual and power wheelchair set-up, adjustment and maintenance
Power wheelchair programming
Teaching wheelchair skills using motor learning principles
Seating assessment, posture care and the mat exam in practice
Power assist, drive controls and seating for asymmetries

Capacity is limited in this room. Sessions are first come, first served on the day.

You'll cover

Adaptive driving, from foundation through to intermediate practice
Adaptive sport, recreation and adaptive gaming
Smart home technology and home modifications
Job accommodations and computer access
Service animals, care partners and emotional adjustment

Relevant across every professional group on the program.

Three education tiers

Every session carries a level as well as a track, so you can build a day that matches your experience.

FoundationalNew to the topic, or refreshing the fundamentals

IntermediateConfident with the basics, building depth

AdvancedExperienced practitioners working at the edge of practice

The shape of the days

How the two days run

Session titles and times are still being finalised, but the rhythm of each day is set. Here is what your two days will look like.

07:30 to 08:30

Social breakfast

Coffee and a proper start with the people you'll spend the next two days with.

Morning

Three session blocks

All three tracks run in parallel, with 15 minute breaks between each block.

Midday

Lunch and expo floor time

A 30 minute break, with the Abilities Expo show floor open alongside.

Afternoon

Four session blocks

Breaks shorten through the afternoon. Session rooms are located next to one another so changeovers stay comfortable.

Evening

Film screening and social

An informal close to day one, open to all delegates.

Day one carries the bulk of the accredited content, with all three tracks running from breakfast through to the close of the afternoon.

08:30 to 09:30

Social breakfast

A slower start before the deeper sessions begin.

Morning

Extended two-hour session

Longer formats for the topics that need room, including hands-on workshops in the clinical skills room.

Late morning

Closing keynote, 45 minutes

The whole conference back in one room to finish.

Day two finishes at lunchtime, after which we encourage you to visit the co-located Abilities Expo and spend the afternoon on the show floor!

Topics

What we're covering in 2027

A large part of the program is already confirmed, but there is lots more exciting content in development! Filter by track to see where each topic sits.

Content booked In development

Assessment and Provision

Evaluation, clinical reasoning, documentation and every route to funding

Whole-person approach to seating and mobility Clinical practice pearls and difficult conversations Non-profits and international wheelchair provision Assistive technology assessment with RESNA Funding beyond insurance Outcome measures and documentation AI in assistive technology Augmentative and alternative communication Cognitive and sensory technologies Wheelchair and seating standards DIY and low-tech solutions Supporting ageing clients

Clinical Skills Workshop

Hands-on, limited capacity, practise on real equipment

Manual wheelchair set-up and maintenance Power wheelchair maintenance and programming Power assist options and assessment Teaching wheelchair skills and motor learning 24-hour posture care management Seating assessment and the mat exam Dynamic seating in practice Seating for postural asymmetries Custom seating tips Preventative maintenance for continuity of use

Adapted Living

Driving, sport, home, work, play and adjustment

Adaptive driving, foundation and intermediate Clinical roles in adaptive sports Rhythm as rehabilitation through adaptive tap dance Running a wheelchair clinic sustainably Smart home technologies Home modifications Service dogs and invisible disability Adaptive gaming Play and recreation Job accommodations Computer access Emotional adjustment and care partners

Topics in development are being built with presenters and content partners now. Session titles, named speakers and confirmed credit values are published as they are approved.

Content partners

Who shapes the program

The conference is built with the organisations already leading education in this field, so the content reflects current practice rather than a conference committee's guess at it.