Assistive Technology and Aging
  How do AT products impact upon the lives of seniors? What are these products? What are the physical and cognitive conditions that AT products aid in boosting the quality of life for seniors? Do AT products expand the professional careers of seniors? How? What does the future hold for seniors in the AT field? How can East and West approaches to improving the lives of seniors through technology benefit each other? Has any legislation in the East and West improved the lives of seniors in the AT areas? If so, how?
   
Assistive Technology and Education
  How much impact do Assistive Technology (AT) products have in educating children with disabilities? Where have they been successful? What constitutes success? What are the types of disabilities do these products assist? How are these products developed? Do the developers work with students with disabilities in developing these products? Where do you buy these products? Has legislation been successful in getting these products into the hands of teachers and students needing them? What is the market in the Asia-Pacific Rim for these products?
   
Assistive Technology and Employment
  How do AT products impact upon the employment of people with disabilities in all walks of life? What do the products do to enhance employment for people in disabilities? What are these products that allow a blind person to access information for employment purposes? What are other products that benefit employees with disabilities? Do Asian-Pacific Rim policies encourage the use of AT products to employ people with disabilities? Has any legislation in the Asia-Pacific Rim, Europe and the U.S. had a positive impact on employment of people with disabilities and how is AT access provided? How do you define disability? Are Asian- Pacific Rim employers aware of AT products?
   
Information and Communication Technology
  How are the Information Technology revolution benefiting people with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific Rim? What are the technologies used in the IT area to enhance opportunities for people with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific Rim? What are the market forces driving manufacturers of IT to enhance communication among people with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific Rim?
   
Assistive Technology and Quality of Life
  How do we define an enriched quality of life for people with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific Rim? Do AT products contribute to an enriched quality of life? How do they enrich one¡¦s quality of life? Where do you find these products? What is the market for these products in the Asia-Pacific Rim?
   
Assistive Technology and Web Accessibility
  How do people with disabilities access the web? Has section 508 impacted upon web accessibility worldwide? What are other driving forces behind ensuring web access to people with disabilities? What are some of the products on the market that provide people with disabilities access to the web? Has web access benefited people with disabilities educationally, socially, professionally and in entertainment? Who are the leaders in developing web access? America on-Line? Microsoft? Yahoo? Google? What businesses in the Asia-Pacific Rim lead in developing web access? What is the web market for people with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific Rim?

 

           Washington, DC -- Between October 10th to 12th, 2006, Assistive Technology News (ATN), and Concurrent Technologies Corporation Foundation (CTCF) are organizing an Assistive Technology and Prosthetic Conference in Hong Kong, China. The theme is Assistive Technologies: Expanding a Universe of Opportunities for People with Disabilities.

           The goal of the conference is to expand the awareness of the benefits of Assistive Technology products in the Asia-Pacific Rim Region.

           The conference will cover a variety of ways assistive technologies address the needs of people with disabilities in every aspect of their life and assist their families and professionals involved in their care. The individuals requiring these products need the information you possess so they can live a richer, more productive and more independent life.

           The principals of ATN-CTCF (John Williams, Howard McClintic) are seeking presentations in the Assistive Technology area, for this first of three annual events held between 2006 and 2008, from individuals with experience and expertise in these quality of life areas: Assistive Technology and Aging; Assistive Technology and Education; Assistive Technology and Employment; Information and Communication Technology; Assistive Technology and Quality of Life; and, Assistive Technology and Web Accessibility. In submitting a paper, speakers agree that their presentation may be scheduled at any time during the conference at the discretion of the Advisory Board.

           Assistive Technology manufacturers will exhibit hardware and software, but not during the breakout or plenary sessions. The manufacturers will come from the United States, Canada, Europe, Mainland China, and other Asia-Pacific Rim countries. Products benefiting individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities will be displayed. Some of the disabilities benefiting from these products include: mobility, vision, speech, hearing, cognitive and a combination of disabilities.

           The 350-word abstract must be received by August 29, 2006. Abstracts are to be sent to: Howard McClintic at mcclinth@ctcgsc.org or China_Conferences@yahoo.com . If you are selected, you will be notified by September 11, 2006. Presenters must have experience working with assistive technologies. All submitted abstracts and presentations must be in English. Summaries of each speaker's text will be translated prior to the conference and each speaker's remarks will be translated into Chinese while being delivered. The 2,000-word presentation must be submitted by August 31, 2006.

           The conference will be held at the Harbour Plaza Hong Kong Hotel in Hong Kong. For reservations, contact Howard McClintic at either mcclinth@ctcgsc.org or China_Conferences@yahoo.com .

           The attendees have an interest in AT products and are yearning to learn more. They will come from the United States, Hong Kong, Europe, Mainland China, and other Asia-Pacific Rim countries. They are people with disabilities, their families and caregivers, physicians and nurses; OTs, PTs, SLPs, rehabilitation and recreational therapists, special education teachers and administrators, direct support providers, association executives and members, advocates and government employees.

           We believe that this will be a very unique, exciting and productive Conference and we hope that you will join us.