Summit on AI-Enabled Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies
From Innovation to Impact: The Center for Community-Driven Accessibility Technologies is designing the future of AI in disability & rehabilitation. We're connecting lived experience, research, and industry to build a community-driven AI agenda.
About the Summit
This collaborative, full-day working conference is designed to bridge the gap between technological innovation and the everyday realities of end-users in the disability community. Guided by a co-design philosophy, we aim to bring together people with disabilities, healthcare professionals, academic researchers, tech industry leaders, and state/federal stakeholders.
The summit will focus on solutions while addressing the dual nature of AI in disability care—exploring its power to transform assistive technology and rehabilitation engineering while confronting critical risks surrounding trust, privacy, and reliability. Together, we will identify critical implementation gaps, foster cross-sector research partnerships, and author a post-conference strategic report setting a community-driven agenda for ethical, accessible AI to guide development of assistive and rehabilitation technologies.
- Date: Monday, November 16, 2026
- Time: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM EST
- Location: Wood Dining Room, Iacocca Hall, Lehigh University, Bethlehem PA
- Cost: FREE to attend
Summit Highlights
- Interdisciplinary Panels: Learn how accessibility technologies are impacting life transitions, smart mobility, physical access, AI reliability, and policy governance. Hear from experts representing academia, industry, and community voices.
- Networking Lunch & Interactive Expo: Connect with potential collaborators and gather information from community partners, agencies, researchers, and service providers.
- Action-Oriented Breakout Sessions: Participate in collaborative working groups and ideation activities focused on shaping research priorities, policy integration, and joint funding initiatives.
Interested in Learning More?
We are currently gathering input from potential attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors to help customize the summit experience.
Please take a minute to complete our Interest Form. Tell us how you’d like to participate:
- Attend as a researcher, professional, or community member
- Table or Exhibit at the expo (industry, nonprofits, researchers, government agencies)
- Sponsor or Partner with CDAT to support the event