We are excited to have you here in beautiful San Diego! This conference marks a significant gathering of educators, advocates, and community members dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities in higher education. We are thrilled to have you join us this year for 50 Years of CAPED!

Throughout the conference, you will have the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of speakers and experts, participate in informative sessions, and explore innovative strategies that promote inclusion and accessibility in higher education. We encourage you to take advantage of networking opportunities to connect with fellow attendees who share your passion and commitment to making a difference. 

What to Expect at Conference: 👀

Keynote Speakers: 

Gain insights from leading voices in the disability community.

Concurrent Sessions and Panels: 

Participate in discussions and hands-on sessions that address current challenges and solutions in the field.

Networking Opportunities: 

Meet fellow educators and advocates to share experiences and build connections. We encourage you to attend "Our Legacy, Our Futures" on Monday morning at 8 am in California Ballroom C, the President's "An Evening of Aloha" Reception on Monday night at 6 pm in San Diego Ballroom and Garden Terrace, as well as the CAPED Scholarship Fundraiser on Tuesday night at the San Diego Firehouse Museum (required to purchase tickets)! We also encourage you to attend the CAPED Interest Group (CIG) meetings happening all throughout the conference!

Accessibility Commitment: ♿

As we celebrate the milestone 50th Anniversary of the California Association for Postsecondary Education and Disability (CAPED), we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to access, equity, and inclusion. This year’s convention, themed "50 Years of Breaking Barriers," not only honors our past accomplishments but also serves as a bold promise for the future. Our vision is to foster a culture of access that is dynamic, evolving, and rooted in the interactions between people—a process that is renewed time and again.

At the heart of our conference planning is the understanding that each individual has unique needs. We are dedicated to ensuring that every aspect of the convention—from physical spaces to communication tools and attitudinal shifts—prioritizes accessibility.

The Westin San Diego Gaslamp was carefully chosen for its accessible meeting spaces and public areas, reinforcing our commitment to ease of access. 

We are fully committed to promptly addressing the needs of participants and actively invite feedback and suggestions for continuous improvement. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where every attendee can actively participate. During the convention, if you experience an accessibility barrier, please find us at the Accessibility table in the main foyer on the second floor, or contact Dr. Toni Saia, Accessibility Chair at (XXX) XXX-XXXX.

Together, let's continue to break barriers and advance accessibility in higher education.

What to Expect in the Communique: 📖

Historically, the CAPED Communique has been a printed version distributed at conference. This year, we wanted to re-imagine what the CAPED Communique could be. After surveying CAPED members, exploring technologies, and collaborating with CAPED Officer's Council, we are excited to bring you this digital version of the Communique. With Universal Design for Learning in mind, we want to bring content in a meaningful way that can be accessed by everyone in ways that are meaningful to them. We have a feedback form at the end of the Communique, please let us know how we are doing and how we can improve moving forward!

Get Involved: 👋

We invite you to share your experiences, insights, and questions throughout the conference. Your voice is vital in shaping our collective mission to promote the full and effective participation of individuals with disabilities in higher education. Join us on social media, Instagram or Facebook @caped74, or the hashtag #CAPEDConvention.

CAPED is always looking for leaders to assist with conference planning, CIG membership, submissions for the Communique and speakers at Conference. Looking for a way to get involved with next year's convention? Stay for the Convention Debrief on Wednesday, October 30th at 12:30 pm in the Harbor Room!