***Update: Our 2023 conference list is now available!***
Every year, organizations across the U.S. host dozens of conferences for disability service professionals, executives, program directors, policymakers, advocates, and individuals with disabilities.
In 2022, we see many more conference organizers returning to in-person events, as well as offering hybrid options that allow people around the country to attend the event without leaving home.
Whichever way you choose to participate, attending one of these events is a great opportunity to learn and share best practices, discover the latest trends and innovations, and network with others in the industry.
We’ve compiled a list of over 30 disability service conferences and events happening in 2022. The conferences on this list cover a wide range of topics, including employment, community inclusion, education, assistive technology, legislation, and more.
To make it easier to find an event, we’ve organized this list by month including the location and the organizer’s website description. We’ll update this information throughout the year, so be sure to bookmark this page and subscribe to our email list.
Date: April 11-13, 2022
Location: Miami, FL + Virtual
Website description: “Bigger and stronger than ever before, the ANCOR community will come together for three days to elevate our past, our present, our future. Whether you join us on Florida’s Gold Coast or choose to participate virtually, we’ll come together to celebrate our community’s accomplishments, to lift up what works when it comes to solving some of today’s most pressing challenges, and to elevate our shared vision for a truly inclusive future.”
Update: Check out the SETWorks team’s top takeaways from the 2022 ANCOR annual conference!
2022 New York Alliance For Inclusion & Innovation Annual Conference
Date: April 27-29, 2022
Location: Virtual
Website description: “The theme for this year’s conference is: The View from Here… The theme, while simple, lends itself to individual interpretation. It is a reflection of where we have been the last few years during the pandemic and what it has shown us in order to see the view ahead from here. Maybe the view is muddy, maybe it’s beautiful, maybe it’s a little cloudy or it’s hopeful. Each person’s view from here is individual and we are celebrating that during this year’s conference.”
Date: May 1-3, 2022
Location: Lake Ozark, MO
Website description: “The MASWM Lake Ozark meeting May 1-3 will feature a packed agenda with training opportunities, presentations and election of officers.”
Date: May 3-4, 2022
Location: TBD
Website description: “Join PAR for our third annual Policy Conference on May 3rd & 4th! The PAR Policy Conference will bring in attendees from all over the state and the country to hear outstanding presenters in the field of Intellectual Disability and Autism to provide information, engage in Q&A sessions and facilitate forums. This two-day conference will focus on current hot topics in policy and advocacy. While we hope to hold our event in person, PAR will shift to a virtual event if it is not safe to meet in person.”
2022 Ohio Provider Resource Association (OPRA) Spring Conference
Date: May 4-6, 2022
Location: Lewis Center, OH + Virtual
Website description: “The OPRA Spring Conference is THE place to network, engage around the latest issues facing providers, find resources to benefit your organization and learn from first-rate speakers.”
The Arc Oregon 2022 Annual State Convention
Date: May 5-6, 2022
Location: Virtual
Website description: “Our 2022 State Convention will be held online using Zoom. We’re currently putting together a schedule of dynamic speakers and topics of interest to our community. Stay informed and be notified when registration opens by signing up to receive email updates.”
North Carolina Association for People Supporting Employment First (APSE) Conference
Date: May 9-13, 2022
Location: TBD
Website description: “Navigating Change in Uncertain Times”
2022 Iowa Association of Community Providers (IACP) Annual Conference
Date: May 10-12, 2022
Location: Ames, IA
Website description: “With over 400 attendees annually, the IACP Annual Conference & Trade Show is the pinnacle event of the year bringing community providers and industry professionals to central Iowa. This year’s theme is a tribute to the critical relationship and mission we share: Relentless & Resilient: We stand together.”
Ohio Association of County Boards (OACB) 2022 Spring Conference
Date: May 19-20, 2022
Location: Columbus, OH + Virtual
Website description: “We are pleased to announce that registration is now open in MemberConnect for all sessions of the upcoming, OACB 2022 Spring Conference, which will take place at the Hilton Columbus at Easton on May 19-20, 2022. The deadline to register is May 11.”
Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association (DDNA) 30th Annual Education Conference
Date: May 20-23, 2022
Location: San Antonio, TX
Website description: “We invite everyone to join us in San Antonio, TX May 20-23, 2022. By attending, you will have the opportunity to earn over 24 hours of nursing CEs, network with fellow DD nurses, and connect with our industry leading sponsors/exhibitors!”
Supported Life Institute California Statewide Self Advocacy Conference
Date: May 27-28, 2022
Location: Sacramento, CA + Virtual
Website description: “This Annual 2-day Peer-to-Peer Conference draws hundreds of attendees each year from all over California, and for the past few years, from Nevada and other Western states. Experienced self-advocates teach and mentor peers with Intellectual / Developmental Disabilities. Targeting an audience of 3/4 self-advocates with 1/4 professionals and families, the Conference is planned and implemented by and for Self-Advocates from all over the State ~ about independence, employment, citizenship, and involvement in the community.”
Missouri Rehabilitation Association (MRA) Annual Conference
Date: June 5-7, 2022
Location: Osage Beach, MO
Website description: “Our Annual Conference will be held June 5-7, 2022 at Tan-Tar-A / Margaritaville Lake Resort. This annual training opportunity gives you access to an exciting keynote speaker, relevant break-out sessions, networking opportunities with other professionals in the rehabilitation field, evening entertainment, great food, and a beautiful meeting facility.”
2022 National Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) Conference
Date: June 13-15, 2022
Location: Denver, CO + Virtual
Website description: “2022 National APSE Conference: Moving Mountains Together. Join in Denver, Colorado from June 13-15 or virtually! Registration is now open.”
The 2022 OPEN MINDS I/DD Executive Summit
Date: June 14, 2022
Location: New Orleans, LA
Website description: “The OPEN MINDS 2022 I/DD Executive Summit: Innovations In Care Delivery For Consumers With I/DD & Complex Care Needs is the “must-attend” summit event for executives at organizations serving people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). It is designed to provide both practical and cutting-edge ideas for executives who are growing their organization despite the turbulence of the past two years. This information-packed event will include ways to innovate, integrate, and coordinate services catered to the complexities of this consumer population while laying out a clear picture of the future in I/DD services.”
Association on Higher Education & Disability (AHEAD) Equity & Excellence International Conference
Date: July 18-21, 2022
Location: Cleveland, OH
Website description: “AHEAD’s annual international conference is its hallmark event. Now in its 41st year, Equity & Excellence: Access in Higher Education draws approximately 1,500 participants from around the world for a week of extraordinary professional development and networking. Presenters and participants come from diverse fields, including education, technology, law, scholarship, and government, but share a common interest in fostering equitable higher education experiences for disabled individuals.”
Missouri Association for People Supporting Employment First (APSE) Employment Summit
Date: July 21-22, 2022
Location: Columbia, MO
Website description: Coming soon! In the meantime, check out the SETWorks team’s top takeaways from the 2021 APSE MO Employment Summit.
Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) Conference
Date: August 14-18, 2022
Location: Washington, DC
Website description: “The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Conference is Advancing States’ national conference that annually brings together state, federal, and local policymakers as well as leaders who administer, manage, and deliver waiver and other HCBS programs. The purpose of the HCBS Conference is to share practices and policies that improve state systems delivering long-term services and supports (LTSS) for all ages and abilities.”
Arkansas Association for People Supporting Employment First (APSE) 7th Biennial Employment First Conference
Date: August 31 – September 2, 2022
Location: Hot Springs, AR
Website description: Coming soon!
Pacific Northwest Employment Forum
Date: September 19-21, 2022
Location: Spokane, WA
Website description: “We are pleased to announce that the Pacific Northwest Employment Forum is back and will be in person! Come join us this September in beautiful Spokane, Washington as we continue working together to expand Employment First in our states.”
California Disability Services Association (CDSA) Fall Annual Meeting
Date: September 21-23, 2022
Location: TBD
Website description: “In the fall, our members convene for a three-day conference for educational and informational sessions, networking, and to prepare CDSA for the year ahead. Members travel from all over the state and the location of the conference varies by year to promote accessibility by different regions. Member-led committees report on their work from the past year and develop plans that align with our larger goals. The Annual Meeting also offers educational sessions from industry experts, addressing the most relevant challenges our providers are facing.”
Community Employment Alliance (CEA) Fall Conference
Date: September 28 – October 14, 2022
Location: TBD
Website description: Coming soon!
2022 Missouri Association of County Developmental Disabilities Services (MACDDS) Annual Conference
Date: October 5-7, 2022
Location: Columbia, MO
Website description: Coming soon!
State-of-Science Conference on Disability Statistics
Date: October 6-7, 2022
Location: Washington, DC + Virtual
Website description: “During this two-day hybrid event, experts in disability statistics will provide, describe, and discuss the latest advancements in disability statistic science. Join us in-person or online to gain insights to new research and methods in disability data collection, analytical techniques, and advanced statistical analyses of key topics.”
Date: October 12-14, 2022
Location: Wichita, KS
Website description: “Power Up! is an annual conference designed to inspire, educate, and empower professionals who support persons with disabilities. Power Up! features a keynote speaker, breakout sessions, and networking activities featuring speakers who further innovation and progress in disability services.”
2022 Oregon Resource Association (ORA) NW Conference on Disability Services
Date: October 18-20, 2022
Location: Eugene, OR + Virtual
Website description: “Presented by ORA, is the premier regional event for professional development in disability services. This educational three-day event brings together national and regional experts, leaders of service provider organizations, state and county decision makers, and vendors of new and innovative products.”
2022 Ohio Provider Resource Association (OPRA) Fall Conference
Date: October 26-28, 2022
Location: Lewis Center, OH
Website description: Coming soon!
Date: November 10-12, 2022
Location: Denver, CO
Website description: “The Arc’s National Convention is an unmatched opportunity to connect and learn with advocates, professionals, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families. If you are interested in employment, education, advocacy, housing, criminal justice, and more – our sessions are sure to challenge, inspire, and motivate!”
California Association for Adult Day Services (CAADS) 2022 Fall Conference
Date: TBD
Location: TBD
Website description: “Details posted as soon as available.”
Disability Service Provider Network (DSPN) Annual Conference
Date: TBD
Location: TBD
Website description: “DSPN exists to support and be a resource for member providers through advocacy and education resources so they can provide the highest quality and full array of services for those with disabilities throughout Wisconsin.”
Date: TBD
Location: TBD
Website description: “The mission of the LIFE Conference is to be at the forefront of providing information, educational resources and opportunities for persons with disabilities, their families, caregivers, educators and providers. The primary goal of the LIFE Conference is to promote and support full community integration by focusing on the four areas of Legislation, Independence, Families, and Education. The LIFE Conference offers its attendees the opportunity to learn, network, and participate in sessions designed to share information with all participants, including policy makers and the general public.”
Date: TBD
Location: TBD
Website description: “RE:CON is the premier event for Michigan professionals looking to revitalize themselves in their support of individuals with disabilities and other barriers.”
New Jersey Association of Community Providers (NJACP) Annual Conference
Date: TBD
Location: TBD
Website description: Not available
Date: TBD
Location: TBD
Website description: “Every year, the PAR Solutions Conference brings together providers of Intellectual Disability and Autism (ID/A) services from across the state and country. Those who attend our conference are decision makers for their organizations (i.e. CEOs, CFOs, Directors) who are focused on solutions as they relate to intellectual disability and autism, and are interested in sharing their experiences and learning from others.”
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