With the busy holiday season upon us, we hope you can take a break from this hectic time to catch up on what’s happening at the 2008 CSUN Conference.
Everything you’ve always wanted to know about the conference is posted on our web site at www.csun.edu/cod/conf.
Keep checking this site for important dates, new information, special events, and announcements.
Registration is now open!
Please go to the web site for instructions on registration and the Pre-Conference Workshops and General Sessions schedule. Remember you must register for each pre-conference workshop you want to attend. We encourage you to “save a seat” for your general session choices at the same time.
Last year’s attendees told us this was helpful as they were able to plan their personal conference schedules.
Hold Wednesday morning, March 12 at 7:30 am as we officially open the 2008 Conference with our Keynote Breakfast featuring Jim Fruchterman, President, CEO, and founder of Benetech. As an entrepreneur, Jim has received numerous recognitions and awards. As an advocate he’s explored ways to apply technology to challenging problems facing our culture. These include literacy for people with disabilities, human rights monitoring and analysis, and benefiting persons with visual impairments and learning disabilities. Join us at the Keynote Breakfast and find out more about Jim’s vision for the field of disabilities.
We’d like to add your name to the list...there’s always time to step up and become a valuable conference partner!
We want to take this opportunity to welcome our new exhibitors to the CSUN Conference:
We also want to welcome back our returning exhibitors. The Exhibit Halls are located in both the Renaissance Montura and Marriott hotels. For a complete listing of exhibitors, please visit the Exhibit Directory on our web site.
Join us at the Opening of the Exhibit Halls for your first look at the latest AT products and services in the field.
Opening of Exhibit Halls & Continental Breakfast
Thursday, March 13
8:00 am – 10:00 am
Exhibit Hall Hours
Thursday, March 13 – 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday, March 14 & Saturday, March 15 – 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
(There are no general sessions scheduled during the Opening or on Saturday after 12:30 pm)
Come early and learn more from an outstanding group of presenters who are the leaders in their fields. We encourage you to register early for these in-depth sessions covering the latest topics in disability and technology. Seating is limited and there is a registration fee for each Pre-Conference Workshop. Below is a “quick-guide” for the pre-conference workshops. Please visit our web site for a complete listing of Pre-Conference Workshops.
Monday, March 10th
Tuesday, March 11th
Increase your knowledge from the top trainers in the field of AT. Build a long-lasting network with professionals, practioners, and newcomers to the field at our two day FastTrax ATACP (Assistive Technology Applications Certificate Program) training Monday and Tuesday, March 10th and 11th. Seating is limited. Please visit: www.csun.edu/codtraining/upcomingtrainings.html#registerto register. Register for both FastTrax ATACP and the Conference for discounted registration fees.
Featured Speaker: Ray Kurzweil
Topic: The End of Handicaps
Thursday, March 13
12:00 – 1:45 pm
Sheraton Four Points Hotel
Mr. Kurzweil will discuss how emerging technologies will be the great leveler in eliminating the handicaps associated with sensory and physical disabilities. Share the future with one of the field’s most respected visionaries.
(Reservations required; lunch provided following presentation)
The Alliance for Technology Access’ 20th Anniversary Celebration
Friday, March 14
6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Sheraton Four Points Hotel
Join ATA at their 20th Anniversary Gala in a joyous celebration of the people and accomplishments that have made a brighter future for us all. They will honor leaders and partners that have moved assistive technology forward. In celebration of 20 years of accomplishments, they will reflect on our community's investment in a brighter future for everyone. The Gala will include a reception, AT history exhibit, silent auction, awards and a program featuring Pegi Young (co-founder of The Bridge School) and Robert David Hall (Coroner, Dr. Robbins on CBS-TVs “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”).
Online registration now open! Visit: www.ataccess.org/20years
Most of you know the Center on Disabilities (COD) at CSUN as the sponsor of the Annual Conference and the ATACP Training Program. But did you know that these are just the tip of the iceberg for the COD operations?
The Center on Disabilities was founded in 1993 by Dr. Harry L. Murphy who went on to create a campus-held event that has grown in size and reputation as the largest and longest-running conference on disabilities and assistive technology - the Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference!
The COD’s mission is “Changing the world for people with disabilities” and this is demonstrated in the Center’s operations beyond the conference and training. These include our Student Services Division, two on-going grants with the Department of Rehabilitation (CATE and Workability IV), and a new award from the Northridge Petri Fund to increase academic and career success for students with disabilities.
The Center also hosts another annual event that we would like to share with you - our Awards Ceremony.
Over the last 23 years, the COD has raised almost $100,000 in scholarships for students with disabilities who have demonstrated academic, campus, and community achievements. These students are recognized at our Awards Ceremony, which continues to be a moving, meaningful and memorable event for not only the award winners, but for the donors as well. The list of donors includes past winners, former COD students, community organizations and businesses, and conference friends.
We would like to invite you to be a part of this very worthy event. A scholarship of $1,500 can celebrate a student’s hard work, motivation, and perseverance to earn a degree and is a donation to the future for all of us. You may also choose to participate in the Awards Ceremony by sponsoring an advertisement in the Awards Ceremony Program.
For more information on how you can become part of the Awards Ceremony and support a student’s success in achieving academic, personal, and employment goals, please contact: Sandy Plotin at (818) 677-2578 or sandy.plotin@csun.edu.
For more information about the Center on Disabilities, the 2008 Conference or any announcements in the Newsletter, please feel free to contact us at:
(818) 677-2578
conference@csun.edu
We wish you a joyous holiday season and A happy new year!
CSUN Center on Disabilities
Wayne Fernandes - conference@csun.edu
18111 Nordhoff St.
BH-110, Center on Disabilities
Northridge, CA
91330-8340
Phone: (818) 677-2578
Fax: (818) 677-4929