2024 MAER Annual Conference

Inclusive Horizons:

Navigating Assistive Technology and Accessibility

September 19 – 21, 2024

USM Gulf Coast Research Lab, Marine Education Center

101 Sweetbay Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Sam Seavey, Keynote

Sam Seavey, founder of The Blind Life YouTube channel, is a renowned expert in assistive technology. With over 60,000 subscribers and 800+ videos, Sam provides valuable tips, reviews of assistive devices, and interviews with visually impaired community members. Diagnosed with Stargardt's at the age of 11, Sam has dedicated 30 years to researching and understanding assistive devices. He's been featured in prestigious publications like USA TODAY and WIRED Magazine, and collaborates with tech giants like Apple and Google. Sam currently manages an assistive technology program, offering training and aiming to help everyone live their BEST BLIND LIFE. Find out more about Sam and The Blind Life at theblindlife.net

Update: Are you unable to attend this year's conference but still want to join the Keynote session? Join us online (via Zoom) by registering here: Keynote Registration

Check out our other Speakers HERE ...

Conference Highlights

Groups of plastic people figurines of varying colors connected via a web of lines

Cultivate a supportive network

Create a platform for networking and sharing experiences among attendees, fostering a supportive community dedicated to advancing accessibility and inclusion for those with visual impairments.

Digital art showing a human head with an expanse of technological icons branching out above it.

Explore new/popular/current technology trends

Become familiar with those technologies that focus on the needs of the visually impaired community, as well as mitigate some of the technology challenges faced by the visually impaired community.

A child's hands holding a globe with an interconnected network of technology branching outward

Empowerment

Empower persons with visual impairments to effectively navigate and utilize assistive technologies to enable greater independence and participation in society.

Continuing Education written over a technical background.

Continuing Education Units available*

ACVREP
CRCC
Mississippi Educators
MS Board of Licensure for OT

*Applied for

The Venue

USM Gulf Coast Research Lab, Marine Education Center

A visit to the Marine Education Center takes visitors through different coastal habitats including the sensitive transition from forested bayhead to tidal marsh as seen from the pedestrian suspension bridge on campus.

Conference Rates:

(Registration closes on SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 11:59 p.m.)

Current AER Members
- - $150, Early Bird rate (on or before August 19, 2024)
  - $165, Regular rate (after August 19, 2024)
Non-AER Members
- - $175, Early Bird rate (on or before August 19, 2024)
  - $190, Regular rate (after August 19, 2024)

Students studying in the field of visual impairment, veterans, individuals with vision loss, and their family members can attend the conference FREE of charge!

CATT Sponsorship is available for up to 20 VI professionals. Click here for more details. (Deadline to apply is August 15, 2024).

Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services staff also have a special rate (please contact MAER for more information). Those in these groups who plan to attend must register for the conference.

Young man wearing futuristic sunglasses and headphones and holding a small technological device

Can't make it in person?

The Keynote address with Sam Seavey will be made available LIVE using Zoom videoconferencing platform on Thursday, September 19, 2024 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. (Central Standard Time). ACVREP credit is available.