AzTAP/IHD hosts Evidence for Success Conference

Initiative Description

In 2023, the annual AzTAP/IHD Evidence for Success Conference returned to being a wholly in-person event. This was a two-day conference featuring three preconference workshops, three general sessions (opening and closing speakers and a lunchtime presentation), 70 breakout sessions, and an exhibit hall with 43 exhibitor booths (consisting of AT companies and social services/disability organizations). Thirty-three of the sessions and two of the pre-conference workshops were specifically focused on AT products, services, and ICT accessibility, with the others focused on advocacy and disability topics more generally. Collaborating partners were Arizona Department of Education (primary funder), Rehabilitation Services Administration (content/credentialing collaborator) and our parent organization NAU-IHD (technical support/marketing). The conference attracted 478 participants, broken down as follows: 261 conference attendees, 112 OT/SLP students, 18 exhibit hall only, and 87 exhibitors. Average attendance in each breakout session was 14.

Ninety-two of the attendees responded to the post-conference survey, giving the conference an overall satisfaction score of 3.73 out of 4.00 and a lot of very positive feedback in the comments/ narrative portion of the survey. Eighty-eight percent of respondents reported that they gained new information about promoting increased access, positive attitudes, and inclusion for people with disabilities during the conference; 84% agreed that they will able to use the information in their professional and/or personal life to promote access, positive attitudes, and inclusion for people with disabilities; and a significant percentage (46%) indicated that, as a result of the information gained from attending the conference sessions, they are likely to engage in policy changes.

Year of Implementation

2023

AT Activities

State

Arizona

Initiative contact information

Clayton Guffey
Clayton.Guffey@nau.edu