AHEAD 2026 – The 49th Annual Conference

logo for AHEAD's annual conference


AHEAD is excited to announce its 49th annual conference, as an in-person professional development and networking event. Presenters and participants from diverse fields, including education, technology, law, scholarship, and government, will gather in Providence, RI in July, and we hope to see you there!

Quick Links

Registration and Costs

Below are the 2026 Registration costs, for your budgeting purposes.

Main Conference, Wednesday - Friday

Registration Date AHEAD Members Non-Members
On or before Friday, May 29, 2026 $795 $950
After May 29, 2026 $995 $1150

  • Main Conference Daily registration (regardless of member status or timing): $395/day 
  • Students enrolled full time and emeritus members always register for the Main Conference at the low price of $425

Pre-Conferences, Monday - Tuesday

Prior to the main conference, AHEAD offers in-depth sessions on topics of particular interest, priced the same for members and non-members:

Registration Date Half day One-day Two-day
On or before Friday, May 29, 2026 $100 $200 $395
After May 29, 2026 $125 $250 $495

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN MID-MARCH

Host Hotels for AHEAD 2026 in Providence, Rhode Island

Nightscape view of Providence, Rhode Island

All conference activities will take place at the Rhode Island Convention Center (RICC).  Room blocks will open for reservations on March 16, 2026.

Host Hotels for AHEAD 2026 in Providence, Rhode Island

Headquarters Hotel

Omni Providence Hotel 
(connected to the RICC via skywalk on the second floor)
One West Exchange Street, Providence, RI  02903
Group Rate:  $229.00 + tax for single or double occupancy

Other Convenient Hotels in the AHEAD Room Block

The Graduate by Hilton Providence 
(4 minutes/2 blocks from RICC, level terrain)
11 Dorrence Street, Providence, RI 02903
Group Rate:  $199.00 + tax for single or double occupancy
 
Hilton Providence Hotel
(3 minutes/1.5 blocks from RICC, slight incline between RICC and hotel)
21 Atwells Ave., Providence, RI 02903
Group Rate:  $225.00 + tax for single or double occupancy
**Please note the Starbucks located under the hotel is not accessible, accessible coffee available in the hotel restaurant.**
 
Courtyard Providence Downtown 
(4 minutes/2 blocks from RICC, significant slope on the hotel driveway, may not be optimal for guests with difficulty traversing an incline.)
32 Exchange Terrace, Providence, RI 02903
Group Rate: $224.00 + tax for single or double occupancy

 

Topics to be Covered in This Year's Conference

This year's conference will cover many subjects important to anyone working with disabled students in postsecondary education, from disability office staff to ADA/504 Coordinators to faculty and administrators and more! 
 
No matter your institution or role, the requirements of disability law have not changed—and it’s more important than ever to stay ahead. AHEAD’s annual conference is the preeminent event to equip yourself with the latest knowledge and skills. You’ll leave empowered, ready to lead with confidence, and connected to a nationwide network of experts you can rely on when challenges arise. 
 

The Conference's over 155 concurrent sessions will cover a wide variety of topics including:

ADHD
A.I.
Alt Format Materials
Animals
Assistive Technology
Autism
Blind/Low Vision
Built Environment
Burnout
Campus Collaborations
Campus Culture
Career Services for Students
Careers in Disability Professions
Coaching
Community Colleges
Complex Accommodations 
Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Data Collection
Digital Accessibility
Disability Cultural Centers
Disability History
Disability Identity

Disabled Staff and Faculty
Disclosure of Disability
Distance Learning
Dual Enrollment
Educational Programming
Event Planning
Faculty Collaborations
Food Allergies
Fundamental Alteration 
Graduate Students
Health Science Accommodations
Hiring and Retention of Staff
Housing
Intellectual Disabilities
International Students
Internships/Off-Campus Accommodations
Leadership
Learning Disabilities
Legal Issues and OCR Findings
Math Accommodations
Medical Schools
Mental Health
Mentoring New Professionals

Multiple/Cross Campus Collaborations
Networking
Neurodiversity
New Leaders
New Professionals
Office Management/Leadership
One Person/Small Offices
Parents
Peer Mentoring for Students
Pregnant Students
Research
Self Harm/Suicidal Ideology
STEM Accommodations
Student Workers
Study Abroad
Technology
Testing
Transition to College
Universal Design (UDL)
Veterans
Vocational Rehabilitation
And more!
 

Conference Health and Safety Policy

AHEAD encourages all attendees to consistently take infection control measures such as thoroughly washing hands and containing coughs and sneezes. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, please consider other attendees' health and safety: test yourself for COVID, mask to avoid spreading germs, and avoid attending events in person until at least 24 hours after your fever subsides. 

Requesting Accommodations for the Conference

Requests for accommodations during Conference events should be made in the registration portal at the time you register for the conference. The last day to request accommodations there is June 15. If you register for the Conference after that date, please email Stephan Smith at stephan@ahead.org. Requests for hotel accommodations should be made directly with the hotel.