The 2025 SPEVI conference program is now available!
A big thanks to all those who submitted abstracts and to the conference organising committee for assembling this draft of the program.
SPEVI conference has been endorsed by OMAA and will offer PD credits towards COMS recertification addressing the Core Domains of the OMAA O&M Framework.
Please note: the currently available program is subject to change and cannot be considered a final draft. We will endeavour to inform conference delegates and the SPEVI community of changes to the program as they occur.
SPEVI 2025 Conference Program, dated 15th October:
emPOWER SPEVI Braille Awareness Community Event
Following the SPEVI conference we want our SPEVI community to celebrate with the people of Brisbane, using our theme of emPOWERment to make positive change.
When: 8:00 am – 11:00 am on Thursday 16 January 2025
Where: in the Brisbane CBD, near conference venue. TBC
Following the conference close, we invite you to stay for an extra morning in the River City to emPOWER knowledge of braille in a local community event.
We need you! People with lived experience of using braille, teachers of braille, transcribers of braille, braille technology experts and all supporters of braille literacy to emPOWER braille at this community event.
With the help of our conference participants, volunteers, sponsors and exhibitors, SPEVI aims to engage the local, Brisbane community and emPOWER community awareness of the continued relevance of braille and new braille technologies. Help community members by explaining the braille code, emPOWERing community members to create braille and ultimately raise their understanding of the relevance of braille literacy in education, work and the community.
How?
We will set up booths and exhibits and talk everything braille. During the event interested passers-by and visitors will be able to produce braille on paper or stickers.
The Lego Foundation will provide a Braille Bricks experience. Brisbane Braille House will have Perkins braillers so community members can create hard copy braille, and there will be new braille technology on display. We are planning other braille related activities to engage the community. We also welcome your ideas and contributions (reach out if you have an idea!).
The involvement of braille users, braille specialists, and all educators from the SPEVI community, will help emPOWER the braille experience with the local community and will be critical to the success of this event. Together we can celebrate and get the message out about the continued importance of Braille to BOOST access to education, work, and community, and raise awareness of the need for accessibility in society.
The Brisbane City Council is keen to support this important event, in the lead up to the 2032 Brisbane Paralympics. There will be BCC staff on hand, to ask questions and perhaps start getting involved as volunteer or participant in the Games.
Be involved: SPEVI needs you!
Stay on after the SPEVI conference Thursday 16th January 8am – 11am.
Please email admin@SPEVIconference.net if you can join us or have additional ideas to add.