For 40 years, the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference has been the premier event for accessibility innovation, bringing together researchers, practitioners, and industry leaders dedicated to advancing inclusion.
This milestone occasion promises to offer unparalleled opportunities to explore the latest in assistive technology, connect with experts, and gain actionable insights to enhance accessibility in your work.
With registration now open, this is your chance to immerse yourself in thought-provoking discussions, groundbreaking demonstrations, and invaluable networking opportunities.
To get the most out of your experience, a little preparation can go a long way. Whether you’re attending for professional growth, to explore the latest in assistive technology, or to connect with like-minded peers, having a game plan will ensure you maximize every opportunity.
Here are five actionable tips to ensure you get the most value out of your CSUN experience:
5 Ways to Maximize Your CSUN Experience
1. Prepare for an Accessible and Seamless Experience
CSUN is designed to be an inclusive event, ensuring all attendees have the resources they need for a seamless experience. Before you arrive, take some time to familiarize yourself with the accessibility features available.
For instance, you can request ASL and CART Services during the registration process, note you must request this service by February 27, 2025, to guarantee availability. Attendees requiring a personal care assistant can include them in their registration.
Additionally, the conference venue, the Anaheim Marriott, is committed to providing accessible facilities, including accessible rooms, common areas, and special services. The conference organizers also offer materials in accessible formats upon request. Familiarizing yourself with these features in advance will help you focus on getting the most out of the event.
2. Set Learning Goals and Prioritize Sessions
Going into CSUN with clear learning goals will help you make the most of the conference. Identify the key areas you want to focus on and choose sessions that will provide the most value based on those priorities.
Whether you’re a developer, content creator, IT professional, or accessibility coordinator, focus on sessions that provide actionable takeaways. For example:
- Developers: Look for sessions on emerging tech and inclusive design that will shape future accessibility standards.
- Content Creators: Prioritize workshops that improve workflows for accessible PDFs, digital documents, and multimedia content.
- IT Professionals: Seek out insights on deploying assistive technologies at scale and ensuring enterprise-wide accessibility compliance.
- Accessibility Coordinators: Find discussions on program strategy, policy updates, and new best practices to champion accessibility within your organization.
For the first time ever, CSUN is offering a mobile event app. Use this to build a schedule that ensures you hit your top priorities while leaving room for spontaneity.
3. Take Advantage of Networking and Collaboration
CSUN isn’t just about learning; it’s about building connections that can drive accessibility innovation forward. Whether you’re looking to meet like-minded professionals, explore job opportunities, or discuss the latest industry challenges, CSUN 2025 offers multiple ways to engage with the community.
Let’s explore the various networking opportunities and highlight some key questions you can ask to make the most out of your networking experience.
Job Fair (Tuesday, March 11, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Platinum Ballroom 7-10)
Another new addition to CSUN is the job fair, taking place on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Meet with inclusive employers like Amazon, Intuit, and Sony to explore career opportunities in accessibility and assistive technology.
Questions to ask:
- What accessibility initiatives does your company prioritize?
- How does your company ensure its internal digital platforms and tools are accessible to employees with disabilities?
- What steps are being taken to integrate accessibility into your product development lifecycle?
Birds of a Feather Networking (Wednesday–Friday, Noon – 1:00 PM, Platinum 9-10 Ballroom)
Back again for 2025, the Birds of a Feather networking events give you multiple opportunities to connect with attendees who share your interests in ICT, government policy, or education.
Questions to ask:
- How is your organization leveraging digital accessibility to create more inclusive services?
- What are the biggest challenges your company or institution faces in implementing accessible digital solutions?
- What accessibility initiatives are currently in place, and how do you measure their success?
- How does your organization ensure accessibility in emerging technologies such as AI and automation?
- How do you collaborate with the disability community to enhance digital accessibility efforts?
Pro Tip: Bring business cards or have a digital way to share contact information. For instance, did you know the LinkedIn app has a QR code people can scan to instantly connect with you? You can also save your QR code to your phone’s photo gallery and share it with others by showing them your phone or by sending it in a message or email.
4. Make the Most of the Exhibit Hall
The CSUN exhibit hall is designed to be inclusive, featuring wheelchair-accessible booths and materials available in accessible formats. This is where you can discover cutting-edge tools, products, and services that will transform your approach to accessibility.
Make sure to stop by Vispero Booth #503 to connect with the TPGi team! Explore our latest accessibility solutions and innovations in assistive technology. Get hands-on with JAWS, the world’s most widely used screen reader.
Experience live demos of JAWS for Kiosk and learn how AI is advancing accessibility testing and assistive technology. Speak with our experts to discuss how we can support your accessibility initiatives.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable resources and insights to bring back to your team. Be sure to network with exhibitors to get first-hand experience with new solutions that could directly impact your work.
5. Keep the Momentum Going After the Conference
Attending CSUN is just the beginning—now it’s time to turn those insights into action. Extend the impact of your experience by implementing key takeaways from sessions into your digital accessibility strategy.
You can also share best practices and new ideas with your colleagues to strengthen accessibility efforts within your organization. Explain the techniques you learned to improve knowledge sharing in your organization. Whether it’s improving PDF accessibility, optimizing mobile apps, or integrating assistive technology more effectively, your team will also benefit from your attendance.
Following up with presenters and fellow attendees to continue conversations is a great way to build ongoing collaborations. Many presenters and exhibitors also offer additional resources post-conference, so make sure to connect while you’re at the event and subscribe to any newsletters to stay informed.
Join Us at CSUN!
CSUN 2025 is packed with opportunities to learn, connect, and grow. By planning ahead and focusing on these five areas, you’ll set yourself up for a productive and inspiring experience. We can’t wait to connect with you — register to join us at CSUN!
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