# CSUN 2026 - General Information

Forty-First Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference
March 9 to March 13, 2026
Anaheim Marriott, Anaheim
California State University Northridge-Center on Disabilities

# Special Thanks

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!

- Amazon
- AudioEye
- CVent
- CVS Health
- Deque
- ETS
- Google
- Level Access
- Meta
- Microsoft
- Nike
- Vispero
- Walmart
- XR Navigation

# Save The Dates

42nd Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference - March 7 to March 11, 2027, Anaheim Marriott, Anaheim California

## Call for Submissions

Pre-Conference Workshops: August 13 to September 22, 2026

Journal Track: August 13 to September 1, 2026

General Track: September 3 to September 22, 2026

# Welcome Message

Julia Santiago
Managing Director
CSUN Center on Disabilities

Dear Conference Participants,

On behalf of California State University, Northridge, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 41st Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference. For more than four decades, the CSUN Center on Disabilities has been proud to convene this global community of researchers, practitioners, developers, exhibitors, advocates, and end users who share a common goal: creating a more inclusive world. What began as a small gathering to explore how emerging computer technologies could support people with disabilities has grown into the largest event of its kind.

The CSUN Assistive Technology Conference continues to play a vital role in providing an inclusive forum where ideas are exchanged, partnerships are formed, and solutions are brought to life. Each year, the Conference reflects the rapidly evolving technology landscape while staying grounded in its core mission to ensure that people of all abilities can live, learn, work, and participate fully without barriers. This year’s program offers a rich array of educational sessions, featured presentations, social gatherings, and networking opportunities, along with an expansive Exhibit Hall showcasing the latest tools and technologies.

The success of the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference is only made possible by the dedication of our Presenters, Attendees, Exhibitors, Sponsors, and the exceptional CSUN Center on Disabilities team who work year-round to bring this event to life. Most importantly, it is sustained by your commitment to accessibility and inclusion, which extends far beyond this week and into communities across the globe.

Thank you for being part of this extraordinary Conference community. Whether you are attending to deepen your expertise, discover new solutions, or connect with colleagues from around the world, I hope you find this year’s Conference both inspiring and impactful.

Sincerely,

Julia Santiago

Managing Director
CSUN Center on Disabilities

# 2026 Conference Schedule of Events

## Monday, March 09, 2026

- 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM Check-in
- 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM Pre-Conference Workshops
- 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM Kick-off Happy Hour

## Tuesday, March 10, 2026

- 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM Check-in
- 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM Keynote Program
- 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Kaffeeklatsch with the Keynote
- 1:20 PM to 4:00 PM Conference Sessions
- 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Exhibit Hall Preview
- 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Welcome Party

## Wednesday, March 11, 2026

- 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM Check-in
- 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM Featured Presentation: Nike
- 9:20 AM to 12:00 PM Conference Sessions
- 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM Exhibit Hall
- 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Birds of a Feather: Newcomers
- 1:20 PM to 5:00 PM Conference Sessions

## Thursday, March 12, 2026

- 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM Check-in
- 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM Featured Presentation: Google
- 9:20 AM to 12:00 PM Conference Sessions
- 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM Exhibit Hall
- 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Birds of a Feather: Accessibility & AI
- 1:20 PM to 5:00 PM Conference Sessions
- 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM Karaoke

## Friday, March 13, 2026

- 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM Check-in
- 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM Featured Presentation: Meta
- 9:20 AM to 12:00 AM Conference Sessions
- 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM Exhibit Hall
- 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Birds of a Feather: Compliance
- 1:20 PM to 5:00 PM Conference Sessions

# Conference Opening Day

Tuesday marks the official opening of the 2026 CSUN Assistive Technology Conference with a full slate of dynamic programming. Expect a lively day filled with engaging sessions and plenty of opportunities to explore, connect, and participate.

## Keynote Program

Join us at 9:00 AM in the Platinum 6 Ballroom as we open the 41st Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, bringing our community together, recognizing leadership, and establishing a shared foundation for the week ahead. The video recording of the Keynote Address will be available within one day at www.CSUNATC.TV

## Keynote Address

Keynote Speaker, Haley Moss kicks off the 2026 CSUN Assistive Technology Conference with a perceptive and impactful talk on disability inclusion.

Diagnosed with autism at the age of three, Haley Moss’ parents were told that she might not ever finish high school or earn a driver’s license. Today, she is a neurodiversity expert, educator, lawyer, and the author of several books that guide neurodivergent individuals through professional and personal challenges. Haley is a consultant to top corporations and nonprofits that seek her guidance in creating an inclusive workplace, and she is a sought-after commentator on disability rights and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Haley is determined to make the world more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities and to encourage others to embrace neurodiversity. Dedicated to giving back to her community, Haley contributes her time to the Starkloff Disability Institute, Disability Rights Florida, Florida Lawyers Assistance, and other organizations that promote access and inclusion.

## The Fred Strache Leadership Award

The Center on Disabilities annually recognizes a leader who has made a significant impact in education and research. This year, we are pleased to honor Sandy Plotin.

From 2005 to 2021, Sandy Plotin served as the Managing Director for the CSUN Center on Disabilities. Over the course of her tenure, Sandy elevated and modernized the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference. Starting from her earliest years with CSUN, when the Conference was at 2 hotels near LAX, Sandy grew the Conference attracting new presenters, sponsors and exhibitors. She very quickly grasped hold of the Conference and took it to new heights over her 17 years at the helm. The Conference is all the better because of her leadership, cementing its reputation as the premier event that it is today.

The CSUN ATC Community owes Sandy a debt of gratitude for strengthening the Conference’s foundation, positioning it well for the future. We are thrilled to recognize Sandy’s leadership and the indelible mark of her legacy with the 2026 Strache Leadership Award.

## The Dr. Arthur I. Karshmer Award for Assistive Technology Research

The Karshmer Award for Assistive Technology Research is awarded annually to the author(s) of the best submission to the Science/Research Journal Track of the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference.

The 2026 recipient is Tyler Ortiz for the submission "A Multimodal AI-Powered Travel Assistant Geo-App for BLV Users."

## Kaffeeklatsch With The Keynote

Join us at 11:00 AM, in the Platinum 5 Ballroom, for a relaxed, hour-long Kaffeeklatsch with the Keynote. This informal social hour offers Attendees a unique opportunity to engage directly with Keynote Speaker, Haley Moss, and connect with fellow Conference Participants in a welcoming, conversational setting. Continue the dialogue sparked by the Keynote Address, share ideas, ask questions, and build community, all while enjoying freshly served coffee. All are welcome to drop in, connect, and be part of the conversation.

## Exhibit Hall Preview

When general sessions conclude on Tuesday, Registered Conference Participants are invited to an exclusive sneak peek of the Exhibit Hall, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Marquis and Grand EF Ballrooms, where they can explore exhibits, discover new technologies, and begin conversations ahead of the public Expo opening.

The Exhibit Hall will be open for its regular hours, Wednesday through Friday. We encourage you to visit as often as possible.

## Welcome Party

Celebrate the start of the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference at 7:00 PM in the Platinum Foyer and Platinum 5 and 6 Ballrooms, with a lively evening of music, art, and community, full of energy, creativity, and connection.

The evening features DJ B Diamond, a DJ with Down Syndrome, bringing high-energy music to the dance floor.

Guests can also explore an art exhibition presented by the City of Los Angeles, Department on Disability, highlighting works by disabled artists and offering space to engage with both the artwork and the artists.

Food and beverages will be available throughout the evening, along with opportunities to reconnect with colleagues, meet new people, and spend time with the CSUN Conference community.

# Conference Highlights

## Pre-Conference Workshops

## Journal Track

This year marks the 14th Volume of the Journal on Technology & Persons with Disabilities. Learn about this exciting research from the 2026 Journal Track authors presented during the Conference in the Elite 3 Ballroom. You can also preview the draft of the complete 2026 Journal at http://csun.at/draftvol14

## Featured Presentations

Start your Conference day with the following daily Featured Presentations. The following daily presentations are from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM, Wednesday through Friday, in the Platinum 6 Ballroom. The video recording of Featured Presentations will be available within one day at www.CSUNATC.TV

Date | Title | Description
--- | --- | ---
Wednesday, March 11th | Innovating for All Athletes | At Nike, the voice of the athlete guides everything we do. If you have a body, you are an athlete. This session highlights how athlete insight guides adaptive innovation across Nike footwear, apparel and accessories.
Thursday, March 12th | What’s New in Google Accessibility | Check out announcements from several Google teams about products, tools, and features.
Friday, March 13th | Assistive Technology at Meta: Innovations with Ray-Ban Meta and Neural Band | Join us for an engaging discussion featuring leading members from Meta, spotlighting Meta’s groundbreaking work with Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and the Neural Band.

## Birds of a Feather

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Daily in the Platinum 9-10 Ballroom

These networking events are an excellent opportunity to meet and connect with other Participants of similar interests. Attend the ones that interest you.

Date | Event | Host(s)
--- | --- | ---
Wednesday, March 11th | Newcomers Meet and Greet | Diane Delaney - ASL Flurry Shirley Ruiz - Moorpark College
Thursday, March 12th | Accessibility & AI | Ken Bigler - Intuit Ted Drake - Intuit
Friday, March 13th | Compliance in Practice | Kate Tipton - CSUN Joseph Krack - California Department of Social Services

## Social Events

Join us throughout the Conference week to socialize, connect and network with fellow Participants.

Date | Event | Time | Location
--- | --- | --- | ---
Monday, March 9th | Kick-off Happy Hour | 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM | Platinum Patio
Tuesday, March 10th | Kaffeeklatsch with the Keynote | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM | Platinum 5 Ballroom
Tuesday, March 10th | Welcome Party | 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM | Platinum Foyer, Platinum 5 and 6 Ballrooms
Thursday, March 12th | Karaoke | 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM | Platinum 6 (Karaoke is proudly sponsored by Walmart)

# General Information

CSUN Wi-Fi Network & Password: CSUNATC26

## CSUNATC Attendee Hub

The CSUNATC Attendee Hub returns for 2026! Designed to enhance your Conference experience, the Attendee Hub serves as a centralized platform for everything happening at the Conference. Make use of a wide range of tools and resources:

- Access the full Conference schedule with session details, presenter information and more
- Create a personalized Conference schedule. Mark sessions and special events that interest you and arrange your daily schedule.
- Stay connected with special announcements and chat with fellow Conference Participants.
- Access information about and connect with Sponsors and Exhibitors.

The Attendee Hub can be accessed via a web browser or downloaded via the app store for easy use throughout the conference week.

### Mobile Device

To download the CSUNATC Attendee Hub on your mobile device, follow these instructions:

1. Access the App Store or Google Play Store, search for "Cvent Events", and download the app.
2. Open the app and search for "CSUNATC26" or "41st CSUN Assistive Technology Conference" and download the event within the app.
3. You will be prompted to log-in using your information that was used during Conference registration: first name, last name and email.
4. You will receive an email and text message containing a verification code to enter into the app to complete your log-in.

### Website

To log in to the CSUNATC Attendee Hub website:

1. Go to https://CSUN.AT/AttendeeHub
2. You will be prompted to log-in using your information that was used during Conference registration: first name, last name and email.
3. You will receive an email and text message containing a verification code to enter to complete your log-in.

## Continuing Education Units

The CSUN AT Conference sessions have been approved for 2.0 to 2.8 continuing education units (CEU) by San Diego State University (SDSU). CEUs are $50 per 1.0 CEU, paid directly to SDSU (1.0 contact hour is equivalent to 10 hours of participation). The CEUs offered are general CEUs and it is the responsibility of the attendee to determine whether the CEUs can be applied toward any professional organization.

You may register for CEUs until March 21, 2026. Complete the CEU Request Form at CSUN.AT/ceu

Payments must be completed by March 21, 2026, in order to receive the CEU certificate.

## Restrooms

There are restrooms available in the Conference area of the Anaheim Marriott. Gendered restrooms are found in the Platinum Foyer hallway across from the Platinum 2 and Platinum 3 ballrooms. All-gender restrooms are found across from the Orange County Ballroom at the end of the Marquis Foyer.

## Quiet Room

New this year: Introducing a dedicated Quiet Room for Conference participants.

The Quiet Room is intended to be a calm, sensory-friendly environment where participants can take a break from noise, bright lights, and the activity of Conference spaces. This room is not available for conversations or meetings. Please help us maintain the purpose of this space by refraining from conversations inside the room, and avoid gathering or socializing in the hallway outside. The Quiet Room will be open during Conference hours, Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the Platinum 10 Ballroom.

## Maps

PDF versions of the floor plans for the 2026 CSUN Conference have been included with this book, and are available in the references folder

1. Hotel Lobby Level Overview - CSUN_2026_Hotel_Map.pdf
2. Conference Map - CSUN_2026_Conference_Map.pdf
3. Exhibit Hall Map - CSUN_2026_Exhibit_Hall.pdf

# Accommodation Services

The Accommodation Services counter is located south of the Exhibit Hall Entrances in the Marquis Foyer. Check in with the counter to connect with your requested service provider (ASL, CART, ALD). If a request was not made in advance, any on-site request is subject to availability. Please note that CART only provides real-time captioning; no transcripts are generated for distribution.

## Alternative Formats

Large print and DAISY/HTML formats are available for the Conference Program. Anyone is welcome to access the DAISY/HTML format for download at CSUN.AT/daisy or through the CSUNATC26 Attendee Hub. Large print is provided to Conference Participants who requested it during registration.

DAISY is proudly sponsored by ETS.

## CSUNATC WAYFINDING

The CSUN AT Conference offers two ways to help identify and navigate Conference locations:

### Accessible Map

Sponsored and provided by XR Navigation, Audiom provides an accessible digital map viewer that is usable visually, auditorily, and through text to identify locations of the conference area and lobby level of the Anaheim Marriott. Access the Audiom CSUN 2026 map at CSUN.AT/AccessibleMap or through the CSUNATC26 Attendee Hub.

## Dog Relief Areas

There are three dog relief areas:

1. Garden Rooms: At the entryway on east-side of hotel: EXIT doors and proceed to the immediate right.
2. Market Patio: Exit doors on the right about eighteen feet north of The Market, and proceed about sixteen feet straight ahead.
3. Platinum Ballroom One: EXIT the doors directly across from the Platinum 1 Ballroom and proceed to the immediate right.