Frequently Asked Questions about the Annual Conference

Click on a question below to see the answer.

• When is the 2012 conference?

  Preconference: October 15-16, 2012 (Monday & Tuesday)
  Preconference workshops are day-long workshops.

  Conference: October 17-19, 2012 (Wednesday - Friday)
  The Conference is a three-day event that includes over 200 one- and two-hour presentations and an extensive exhibition hall.

• What is the conference schedule?

  Preconference workshops will be held Monday, October 15 and Tuesday, October 16, 2012.

  The Conference will be held October 17-19, 2012.

  Visit our Conference schedule page (available April 1st) for more details.

• Where is the conference held?

  DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington - Minneapolis South, 7800 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, Minnesota is the official hotel of the conference. All conference activities are held at this hotel located just 10 minutes west of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

• What topics will be covered at the 30th Annual Closing The Gap Conference?

  Topics will cover a broad spectrum of technology as it is being applied to all disabilities and age groups in education, rehabilitation, vocation and independent living. People with disabilities, special educators, rehabilitation professionals, administrators, service/care providers, personnel managers, government officials, and hardware/software developers will share their experiences and insights at what has become known as the most significant networking experience of the year -- the annual Closing The Gap Conference.

  The complete event includes two days (October 15-16, 2012) of day-long preconference workshops followed by three days (October 17-19, 2012) of over 200 one- and two-hour presentations, along with many commercial exhibitors.

• Who should attend?

  • Teachers
  • Administrators
  • Speech Language Pathologists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Physical Therapists
  • AT Consultants
  • Technology Specialists
  • Consumers
  • Parents
  • Students
  • ANYONE interested in finding practical and readily available AT solutions for ALL disabilities, mild to significant, infant through adult.

• Why attend?

  Over the years, the annual Closing The Gap Conference has become known as the best educational AT conference in North America. Through shared best practices and research, networking, training, hands-on opportunities and an expansive exhibit hall, participants have found information, strategies and products that have proven beneficial and, oftentimes, unsurpassed for use in their work and in their lives.

  Participants will have numerous and unique opportunities to learn, first-hand, from experts in the field, network, ask questions, and see and try the latest AT products and strategies that best meet their specific needs. Presenters are approachable; participants are interactive; exhibitors are knowledgeable.

  Participants can also earn academic credit and CEUs.

  In the end, participants will return home with creative ideas, renewed enthusiasm and a greatly enhanced skill set that will help them easily, effectively and, oftentimes, immediately implement that which was gained through their conference experience.

• What are the fees to attend the conference?

  
  

  Online Registration Available April 1, 2012

  Registration Received	On or Before June 30	July 1 - Sept. 6	Sept. 7 - Sept. 27	Sept. 28 - Onsite
  Standard Rate	$425	$455	$495	$525
  Group Discount 5+	Deduct $30 per person
  Group Discount 8+	Deduct $50 per person
  All group registrations must be received by Closing The Gap at the same time.
  Parent Rate (A letter describing your child's disablility must accompany registration)				$275
  Full-time Student Rate (Proof of full-time status must accompany registration)				$275
  Presenter Rate				$325
  Exhibitor Rate				$325

  Single-Day and Exhibit Hall Only Registration	Price
  Thursday Only - October 18	$275
  Friday Only - October 19	$125
  Exhibit Hall Only - Tuesday evening through Friday, October 16-19	$175

  Preconference Workshops - Monday and Tuesday Oct. 15-16, 2012 (Includes Preview of Exhibits – Tuesday, October 16, 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm)	Price
  Two-Day Workshop, Monday and Tuesday, October 15-16	$490
  * Monday, October 15	$275
  * Tuesday, October 16	$275
  BUNDLE PRICING! Monday and Tuesday Bundle ($60 savings)	$490

  *Some preconference workshops carry an additional fee for materials. There is no additional fee for the Closing The Gap-issued, presenter-signed Certificate of Preconference Workshop Attendance.

  Academic Credit

  Graduate level credits are available at a cost of $150 per credit.

  CEUS

  CEUs will be offered for all conference learning sessions without charge.

  Cancellation Policy

  Cancellations must be received in writing by Closing The Gap on or before October 1, 2012. There will be a $75 cancellation fee for each one-day preconference workshop, each one-day conference registration, or each exhibit hall only registration; a $125 cancellation fee for each three-day conference registration. Replacements are welcome and must be submitted in writing.

  No refunds after October 1, 2012. Unpaid balances are due in full.

• Are there any discounted conference airline rates?

  Twelve commercial passenger airlines service the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). Conference goers are encouraged to choose the airline that best meets their needs and budget. For detailed airport information, please visit www.mspairport.com

  For those interested in flying Delta, Closing The Gap has arranged for them to offer discounted conference rates. For the lowest possible air fares, in the United States and Canada, call Delta at 800-328-1111, Monday through Friday, 7:30 am - 7:30 pm Central Daylight Time and reference the Closing The Gap Conference, I.D. code NM8QH.

• Where can I make hotel reservations?

  We have arranged for discounted rates at the conference site hotels.

• Are scholarships available?

  A limited number of scholarships are available for persons with disabilities or parents/guardians of children with disabilities. These scholarships cover registration fees for the conference only (Wednesday- Friday), and do not cover preconference workshops, food, lodging or travel. Scholarships are awarded on a first come, first served basis and one time only per person. Persons that have previously received a scholarship from Closing The Gap are not eligible.

  To apply, complete a conference registration form, indicating your scholarship request. Submit the form and attach a letter describing your/your child’s disability and telling us why you would like to attend the conference.

  Applicants will receive written notification of acceptance or denial.

• Can I receive academic credit by attending the conference?

  Yes, Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota offers Graduate-level academic credit for various levels of conference attendance.

  Visit the Academic Credits and CEUs page for complete details.

• Can I receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by attending the conference?

  Yes, CEUs will be offered for all conference learning sessions without charge.

  Visit the Academic Credits and CEUs page for complete details.

• Are CEUs available for ASHA or RESNA certification?

  AAC Institute will again provide CEUs for both the conference and pre-conference workshops. CEUs will be offered for all sessions without charge. AAC Institute CEUs that relate to the practice of speech-language pathology and audiology can be used for ASHA certification maintenance. RESNA accepts AAC Institute CEUs for ATP/ATS credential maintenance. Most state licensure systems accept AAC Institute CEUs or other forms of self-reporting. Pre-conference workshops are offered for up to 1.4 CEUs. The conference is offered for up to 2.0 CEUs. For additional information visit www.aacinstitute.org/CEUs.

  CEU details and documentation will be available at the Closing The Gap registration desk located on the second floor of the DoubleTree.

• How can I register to attend?

  • Registration will be available April 1, 2012. Click here to see rates.
  • Download registration form - Available April 1, 2012.

• How can I become a presenter?

  Closing The Gap will consider proposals for one-hour or multiple-hour sessions that describe and/or demonstrate successful applications of computer technology for persons with disabilities. Proposals are invited that report results of current applications, research, development of computer hardware, software, or adaptive devices, model programs, or procedures used by and for persons with disabilities. Proposals for sessions that demonstrate the use of software programs, adaptive devices, or the innovative use of standard computer technology are highly encouraged. Proposals should focus on practical applications rather than theoretical discourse. Proposals for open forums in which participants discuss, comment openly, and share ideas and opinions relevant to a primary subject or focus are also encouraged.

  Proposals must be received by Closing The Gap on or before 2:00 pm Central Daylight Time on Thursday, May 3, 2012.

  • Submit an Online Proposal
  • Download a PDF of the Call for Participation
  • Call for Participation

• How can I become an exhibitor?

  Exhibiting opportunites are availabe for what has become known as the most significant networking experience of the year -- the annual Closing The Gap Conference. Companies with a focus on computer and assistive technology for persons with disabilities are invited to apply for exhibitor space.

  Learn more about exhibiting.

• How can I receive a conference brochure?

  • You may request a brochure be sent to you in the mail.
  • Download a PDF of the brochure
    (Available April 1st. Please check back then.)