Engage with a conference focused on increasing knowledge and action to
share practice and research efforts and findings as they relate to adapted physical activity;
broaden participation in adapted physical education/activity and continue developing and supporting educators;
share and discuss emerging research in programs and initiatives; and
build community with adapted physical activity educators, scholars, and community partners.
Join the North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity when you register for full registration. Members are
established and emerging researchers,
academics and teacher educators,
school-based curriculum leaders and teachers,
graduate students, and
anyone interested in the promotion, dissemination, and practical application of results and findings in the field of physical activity for the benefit of populations with disabilities and/or special needs.
Connect with other NAFAPA members. The conference emphasizes how a network of individuals dedicated to ensuring equitable opportunities for meaningful participation in physical activity, sport, and exercise for individuals experiencing disability across the lifespan can work together to build opportunities to address a wide variety of complex problems.
The NAFAPA conference is a forum to discuss scientific findings in the field of adapted physical activity and celebrate successes with colleagues.
Submit an abstract to present at the conference. The Call for Abstracts will be open until February 1st 2025 midnight your local time. Decisions will be sent in March 2026. We seek research paper presentations (poster and oral), building sessions, and student works in progress proposals.
See below for more detailed information.
Plan your travel to participate in the program.
Tentative Schedule Highlights
Tuesday - 11am Registration, student posters, welcome reception
Wednesday - 9am Keynote, Awards and Dinner
Thursday - 9am NAFAPA Business Meeting, 2:30pm Community Service, Cultural Excursions
Friday - 8am Coffee Hour, 12pm Farewell and Aloha to Cultural Excursions
See below for more...
Register and attend. Registration will open in February 2026 for the NAFAPA Biennial Conference which includes one-year NAFAPA membership.
Early bird rates: February to April 15, 2026
Regular rates: April 15 to July 14
Late rates: After July 14
Onsite: July 28 to 31
ABSTRACTS
Important dates:
Abstract Submission Opens: November 17, 2025
Abstract Submission Deadline: February 1, 2026
Abstract Notification: March 15, 2026
Early Bird Registration Opens: February 1, 2026
Early Bird Registration Ends: April 15, 2026
Online Registration Ends: July 14, 2026
Conference Begins: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Procedures and Deadlines for Abstract Submissions:
The deadline for abstract submission is February 1, 2026. Abstracts will then be reviewed and authors should be notified of the status of their abstract submission around March 21, 2026.
All abstracts are limited to 250 words (text only). Abstracts may be submitted for research presentations, building sessions, and student “work in progress” proposals. All abstracts should be original and relevant to adapted physical activity, education, recreation, or related fields. Please note that only the person submitting this form will be notified of the proposal's acceptance or rejection. The submitter is responsible for notifying the other presenters of the abstract's status.
Research: The research abstract should be structured according to the following: A) introduction, B) methods, C) results/findings, and D) implications/conclusions. Your abstract narrative should include the research question(s), significance of the study, description of the sample, major procedures, data analysis, and results/conclusions. Authors submitting research abstracts will be required to select their preferred presentation format of oral presentation (12 minute presentation with 3 minutes for questions), or poster presentation, or select the option of either format to provide the symposium organizers with maximum flexibility in scheduling. The organizing committee will make every effort to meet your selection preference but it is important to realize that not all preferences can be accommodated.
Current students, undergraduate or graduate who will be enrolled in Fall 2026, who are the principal author of the research abstract, may select the student poster session option to be entered in the Greg Reid Research Award competition. Note: the student posters will be held separately from the general research posters.
Building Sessions: A limited number of Building Sessions of 45 minutes with 2-4 presenters, will be selected for the program. Presenters must create opportunities for open dialogue among researchers on significant issues in Adapted Physical Activity. A minimum of 50% of the Building Session should be dedicated to group discussion, break-out activities, or other forms of active participation that create an open dialogue among the audience and speakers. This verbal presentation will not have a moderator. The abstract should address the following: A) primary issue to be presented and discussed, B) significance of the issue and session, and C) description of the session.
Student “Work in Progress Proposals: This type of presentation is intended for students who have not yet collected their study data (i.e. have not graduated in the Spring/Summer 2026), it is still a work in progress. Students may submit abstracts for a special moderated session to give an oral presentation (10 minutes) of their proposed research and get 5 minutes of feedback from scholars in the field. The abstract should address the following: A) background, B) study significance, C) study purpose, and D) the proposed sample and methods. The student must list their supervisor’s name and affiliation in the submission.
All abstracts should be submitted using the online forms available on the website. If you have any questions or concerns about the submission of your abstract, please send an inquiry to nafapa26@hawaii.edu.
Plan Your Travel
Tentative Expanded Highlights for Each Day