AAATE, the Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe, organises and promotes a biennial European conference. The conference is a core activity in AAATE’s work in fulfilling its mission and its objectives.

To find an appropriate partner to organise the conference, AAATE launches this Call for Expressions of Interest to become the host organisation of the 19^th AAATE conference, to be held in the second half of 2027.

This call is part of a two-step process. Organisations can express their interest by completing the questionnaire on the next page and send it back by May 15^th, 2025, to office@aaate.net.

Promising candidatures (max. 2) will be invited by the Board of AAATE to provide a more detailed document outlining the concrete plans, the suggested dates, location, partners, etc. by mid August.

Organising an AAATE Conference

The conference is organised in close collaboration between AAATE and the Host. AAATE typically has the main responsibility for program building, review of submissions, the conference management system, registration and payment, involving the Host wherever possible and requested by the Host. The responsibility for the organisation, including the location, local logistics and the services provided by local providers, lies with the Host.

The Host and AAATE agree on the programme outline. Close and intense co-operation between AAATE and the Host is expected and a factor of success of the conference.

The programme of the conference will be composed of peer reviewed scientific papers, policy sessions, educational sessions and an innovation area for product presentations.

Accessibility is an important feature of the AAATE conference and interested host organisations should commit to meet high accessibility standards.

To allow a better understanding of the nature of the conference and a smooth organisation it is expected that one or more members of AAATE and/or attendants of preceding AAATE conferences are involved in the joint organisation committee.

Regarding the budget and financial management: As a rule, a risk sharing model will be applied, meaning that a positive or a negative financial result will be divided on a 50/50 percent basis between AAATE and the Host. Detailed agreements will be made and signed between the parties. The last three conferences have seen a positive financial result. More information can be requested by sending an email to the Secretary-General Evert-Jan Hoogerwerf (hoogerwerf (at) aaate.net).

Expression of interest in hosting the AAATE 2027 conference

Please respond to each of the following questions and send your expression of interest by May 15th to office@aaate.net.

1. Name of the candidate Host Organisation:
2. Departments or organisational units involved:
3. Main Scientific referent and contact details (email):
4. Contact person and contact details (email and phone):
5. AAATE members involved (if any):
6. Other local, national or international organisations that might be involved:
7. Suggested location (city, country, facility if known):
8. Suggested period:
9. Prior experience with the organisation of similar events:
10. Elements in favour of your candidature:
11. Risks and suggested mitigation actions:
12. Any other comments or questions: