World Conference 2027: Call for Abstracts

Innovate+Empower+Collaborate

Deafblind International and World Federation of the Deafblind welcome you to the International Deafblind Conference, 2027. This conference will be held from 19-23 July 2027 in Davos, Switzerland. The main themes of this conference are: Innovate+Empower+Collaborate. The conference provides an important platform for sharing knowledge, strengthening collaboration, and advancing strategies to empower the deafblind community across the life course.

The Programme Committee invites abstract submissions from anyone with an interest in deafblindness, including persons with lived experience of deafblindness and their family members, researchers, higher degree students, service providers, and professionals. We welcome submissions led by persons with lived experience of deafblindness and their families, as well as those from individuals and communities representing low‑income countries, to ensure all voices are heard.

Collaboration is central to the World Conference, and we encourage abstract submissions that involve co-design, highlight diverse experiences, and enhance innovative approaches to research, practice, and social inclusion.

Purpose of the Presentations

• To engage in knowledge building, collaboration, and innovation
• To highlight new and emerging research that advances knowledge, care, and service provision across the life course

Abstract Requirements

All workshops, oral, research, and poster presentations should align with the conference theme of Innovate+Empower+Collaborate (IEC), and at least one of the four thematic areas of:

• Communication
• Advocacy
• Health and Wellbeing
• Accessibility 

Abstract submissions from persons living with deafblindness and/or that address inclusion, co-design, and multiple perspectives in relation to the four themes will be prioritised.

Types of Presentations

Presentation options are as follows:

• Workshop (1.5 hr): Workshops are intended to foster collaboration on areas related to one of the conference themes. Workshops should be designed to provoke rethinking on an issue, challenge current practice, and should be designed to amplify diverse voices and lived experiences. Workshops will be 1.5 hours, and abstracts should be no more than 350 words.

• Oral presentations: Oral presentations form the majority of the conference program. They are part of concurrent sessions and generally grouped by theme. Oral sessions are allocated 15 minutes, with 10 minutes for questions. Abstracts should be no more than 350 words.

• Poster format: Posters provide a visual display of new techniques, programs, research, or professional innovations. Abstracts should be no more than 350 words.

• Research Shorts: These are designed to be brief overviews of current research, practice, and delivery. Research shorts are limited to 9 minutes, and abstracts should be no more than 350 words.

Submission Process

Step 1: Please review abstract guidelines (below and also on Conferences – Deafblind International DbI)

Step 2: Prepare your abstract, including a brief three-sentence biography, and author list in your chosen format (for example, written, audio/visual).

Step 3: Submit your abstract using the relevant link below. This link gives you access to the abstract management system. In this system, you can provide information on the authors, you can select your preferred presentation format and the subthemes that are relevant for your presentation and provide other relevant information. If the submission process is inaccessible, please submit via the following email: abstract@deafblindinternational.org

Abstract Guidelines (also available on Conferences – Deafblind International DbI)

1. Abstracts must be no longer than 350 words, clearly written/audiovisual in English, and submitted by the due date of May 15^th, 2026.
2. Abstracts should follow a clear and standardised format and structure: Background, Aim, Methods/Approaches, Results/Findings, Conclusion/Implications
3. The submission should provide a statement of positionality, for example, lived experience, carer/communication partner etc.
4. Authorship: The submission must nominate one contact person on behalf of their co-presenters or team and should identify all co-authors.  Abstracts should provide their affiliation(s) for each author/presenter (e.g., “person with lived experience,” and/or “academic institution,” and/or “member of the public”).

Review Process

The Programme Committee will review all submissions and select those based on our themes to create a diverse program. Notifications will be sent by beginning of July 2026.

The following criteria will be used to assess each abstract:

• Alignment of Abstract: To what extent does the presentation abstract align with the conference theme and thematic areas?
• Relevance of Title: Does the session title accurately reflect the content and focus of the presentation?
• Connection to Current Research or Practice:  Does the session reflect relevant research, practice, lived experience, or emerging needs that link with the conference theme (IEC) and one of the four thematic areas?
• Presentation approach: Does the presentation describe how they will engage the audience; isthe session description clearly written or verbalised, and easy to understand?
• Clarity of Aims:  Are the aims of the session clearly stated? Are any outcomes or key messages clearly described?
• Appropriateness of Format and Duration: Is the proposed presentation format (e.g., 1.5 hours for workshop, 9 minutes for research short, 15 minutes for oral presentation, and poster) appropriate for the topic and content presented?
• Contribution to the Field Does the session address a demonstrated need, introduce new research, or offer innovative solutions to the audience that link with the conference theme (IEC) and thematic areas?
• Does the presentation include representation of lived experience? Does the presentation represent a low-income setting?  
• Where applicable, does the submission include information about funding sources, ethics approval, and other relevant collaborators?

Accessibility

• Detailed presentation guidelines will be provided by organisers for accepted presentations to optimise accessibility for participants with vision and hearing loss.

Please click on the following link below to submit an abstract: https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/stages/81801/submitter

Key Dates

Abstract submission closes: May 15^th, 2026.

Notification to authors: Beginning of July, 2026.

Programme release: To be announced.