Frequently Asked Questions about the Annual Conference

Click on a question below to see the answer.

• When is the 2010 conference?

  Preconference: October 19-20, 2010 (Tuesday & Wednesday)
  Preconference workshops are day-long workshops.

  Conference: October 21-23, 2010 (Thursday - Saturday)
  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 Tuesday, October 19 and Wednesday, October 20, 2010.

  The Conference will be held October 21-23, 2010.

  Visit our Conference schedule page for more details.

• Where is the conference held?

  Sheraton Bloomington Hotel, 7800 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, Minnesota and the adjacent Hotel Sofitel, 5601 W. 78th St., Bloomington, Minnesota are the official hotels of the conference. All conference activities are held at these two hotels located just 10 minutes west of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

• What topics will be covered at the 28th 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 19-20, 2010) of day-long preconference workshops followed by three days (October 21-23, 2010) 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?

  Registration Fees

  Conference Registration - October 21-23, 2010

  (Includes Commercial Exhibits Preview -- Wednesday, October 20, 5:30pm - 8:00pm)

  Registration Received	On or Before June 30	July 1 - Sept. 9	Sept. 10 - Sept. 30	Oct. 1 - Onsite
  Standard Rate	$395	$435	$475	$505
  Group Discount 5+	Deduct $30 per person
  New! 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				$305
  Exhibitor Rate				$305

  Single-Day and Exhibit Hall Only Registration		Price
  Single-Day Registration	One-day Conference Registration Friday, October 22	$250
  	One-day Conference Registration Saturday, October 23	$125
  Exhibit Hall Only Registration (Exhibit Hall Only, Wednesday evening through Saturday, October 20-23)		$150

  Preconference Workshops - Oct.19-20, 2010 (Includes Preview of Exhibits – Wed, Oct. 20, 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm)	Price
  * Tuesday, October 19	$270
  * Wednesday, October 20	$270
  BUNDLE PRICING! Tuesday and Wednesday Bundle ($60 savings)	$480

  *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.

  NEW! RETURN DISCOUNT

  A $30 “return” discount is available to ANY past conference registrant and must be used by June 30, 2010. This discount can be used for any preconference workshop OR conference registration and is IN ADDITION to any and all other applicable discounts. If registering online, you will be required to enter code RETURN at checkout.

  
  

  Academic Credit

  Graduate level credits are available at a cost of $123 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, 2010. 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, 2010. Unpaid balances are due in full.

• Are there any discounted conference airline rates?

  Thirteen 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 NM5B5.

• 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 (Thursday - Saturday), 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 has been authorized to provide CEUs by IACET (International Association for Continuing Education and Training). CEUs will be offered for all conference learning 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 Sheraton.

• How can I register to attend?

  • Register online
  • Download registration form

• 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 6, 2010.

  Submit an Online Proposal

  • Submit Proposal Online

• 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