Sponsored by CSUN's Center on Disabilities (COD), the comprehensive conference is the largest of its kind in the world, presenting information about technologies for all ages, disabilities, education and training levels.

"We're looking forward with a sense of keen excitement to this year's conference," said COD Director Mary Ann Cummins Prager, "as we celebrate an annual event that was begun 20 years ago with the vision of helping to eliminate barriers to personal, academic and career success for persons with disabilities."

Scheduled as keynote speaker is Albert Cook, dean of the University of Alberta's Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine and co-author of "Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice." Cook has helped develop assistive devices and has taken part in assessing the effectiveness of technology used by persons with disabilities. Associated with the Assistive Device Service at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Cook established the graduate program in biomedical engineering at California State University, Sacramento.

More than 275 information sessions and 175 exhibits will be featured during the four-day run of the conference, typically attended by persons with disabilities and family members, special education teachers, university professors and researchers, occupational and physical therapists, clinicians, government policy makers and many others interested in the latest developments in assistive technologies.