Call for Papers

Overview

AAATE is looking forward to welcoming you on September 8-10, 2027 in Mechelen, Belgium, for the 19th biennial AAATE 2027 Conference. The conference is one of Europe’s leading forums to exchange knowledge, research, innovation, policy, and practice in Assistive Technology (AT) and Accessibility.

You can download the call in PDF format here: Call for Papers

Every two years, the conference brings together researchers, experts, practitioners, AT users, educators, policymakers, service providers, manufacturers, and industry representatives from across the world. The conference provides a unique platform to share knowledge, discuss emerging developments, build collaborations, and explore solutions that promote inclusion, participation, independence, and quality of life through technology.

We welcome contributions addressing all stages of the assistive technology and accessibility value chain, including: Research, Design & Development, Production & Distribution, Service Delivery, Education & Training, and Use & Impact. Broad conference themes include but are not limited to:

  • AT for cognitive, sensory and motor disabilities
  • Emerging and innovative AT products and solutions
  • AT and education, employment, and leisure/sports
  • AT, smart environments, home automation and IoT
  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
  • Inclusive gaming
  • Accessibility across all domains and sectors
  • Universal design of products and services
  • Artificial Intelligence and disability
  • Mobility and seating solutions
  • Ageing and technology
  • AT service delivery systems, practices, quality and outcomes
  • Robotic AT
  • AT, digital health, and innovation in care
  • AT in low- and middle-income countries
  • AT in emergency settings and humanitarian crisis
  • Policy related to AT and services
  • Global challenges in access to AT
  • AT education
  • Digital skills for all
  • AT and wider social challenges (e.g. gender, environment, conflict,….)

Conference Structure

The conference offers two main strands of contributions:

Research Strand

Presentation of scientific papers showcasing research outcomes, as well as conceptual and theoretical perspectives in all disciplinary areas in the field of assistive technology and accessibility.

Inclusion Forum

  • Policy Sessions: presenting and discussing a wide range of issues in the broader context of AT and accessibility, in relation to policy and decision-making in all disciplinary areas and across sectors
  • Educational Sessions: sharing and acquisition of knowledge and skills, development of learning experiences, delivering short workshops, and sharing of educational content
  • Innovation Area: showcasing new products, prototypes, technologies or service innovations

Submission information

Presentation at the conference and publication options

Presentations on the day of the conference

  • Each accepted Research Strand Contribution will be presented in an oral session (approximately 10 min + 3 min for Q&A).
  • Each accepted Policy and Educational Session will be assigned a time slot in the programme of 60 or 90 minutes.
  • Each accepted Innovation Area Contribution will be assigned a timeslot of 25 minutes.

Publications in Conference Proceedings Volumes

Research Strand

There are two possible options for publication of the accepted Research Strand contributions.

  • Short Papers Collection from the AAATE 2027 Conference (AAATE self-publication)
    Short paper publications of 2-3 pages following the camera-ready short paper template that will be provided on the conference website.
  • Proceedings of the conference by Springer in Springer’s Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS)
    Full papers of 8-10 pages (LNCS format, including figures and references) following the camera-ready full paper template and instructions that will be provided on the conference website.
    NB: For more information about LNCS series : https://link.springer.com/series/558
    LNCS series are indexed by: Web of Science (CPCI-S), Scopus, EI Compendex, ACM Digital Library, DBLP, Google Scholar, MathSciNet, Zentralblatt MATH and IO-Port.

IMPORTANT: During submission for review, authors should indicate which type of publication they are interested in for their final paper.

Inclusion forum

Contributions to the inclusion forum will be published on the conference website, after final approval.

Book of Abstracts

For all contributions, a book of abstracts (150-200 words each) will be published for complete documentation and to support conference navigation.

Special Issue of the journal Technology and Disability

As an additional publication opportunity, the Program Committee will invite the best research-strand papers presented at the conference to submit a journal version of the work to be published in a Special Issue of the journal Technology and Disability. These will go through the journal’s review process once submitted through the SAGE system.

Other ways to get involved

Become a collaborating organisation/consortium, allowing your members and affiliates to have access to a reduced fee. Check the conference website https://aaate2027.eu for more information.

Become a sponsor, creating visibility for your company and offering discounts to your business partners. Please contact hoogerwerf (at) aaate.net to discuss options.

Become a partner organisation by contributing “in kind”. Please contact hoogerwerf (at) aaate.net to discuss options.

Why you should attend the AAATE 2027 in Belgium

Share and Contribute

Present your work to an international audience and contribute to advancing assistive technology and accessibility across Europe and beyond. Share your expertise, learn from others, and help shape future developments in the field. Join us in empowering the participation of all through the use of technology and the right of every person to access appropriate, affordable and accessible assistive and mainstream technologies.

Network, Collaborate & Learn

None of us knows everything! Together, we can remove barriers, provide opportunities, and unlock each person’s potential! The assistive technology field thrives on interdisciplinary collaboration: we interact for equal opportunities and participation for now and the future. Join the conference to keep the community growing!

Accessible and Convenient Location

Mechelen is easy to reach. Belgium is located in the heart of Europe and from Brussels Airport it takes only 11 minutes to reach Mechelen by train. Conference venues, accommodation and city attractions are within easy walking distance. Detailed accommodation options, negotiated rates, and booking information will be published on the conference website.

Enjoy

Take time to discover the rich cultural heritage of Mechelen while enjoying Belgian hospitality, historic architecture, vibrant public spaces and renowned cuisine. The conference combines academic excellence with a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere.

Conference Address and Weather Forecast

Thomas More, Campus De Vest, Zandpoortvest 60, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium
September typically offers mild and pleasant weather, with average daytime temperatures above 20°C.