Image 1: Logos of the organisers: DbI and WFDB, with World Conference logo in the middle on a light blue background.
The World Federation of the Deafblind and Deafblind International have officially opened the Call for Abstracts for the International Deafblind Conference 2027.
This global event will take place from 19–23 July 2027 in Davos, bringing together persons with deafblindness, families, researchers, and professionals from around the world.
We invite everyone in the deafblind community and related fields to submit abstracts, participate, and share this opportunity widely. The goal is to ensure the conference is inclusive, diverse, and representative of all voices.
Conference Overview
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.
Who Should Apply
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
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
Abstracts must be no longer than 350 words, clearly written/audiovisual in English, and submitted by the due date of May 15th, 2026.
Abstracts should follow a clear and standardised format and structure: Background, Aim, Methods/Approaches, Results/Findings, Conclusion/Implications.
The submission should provide a statement of positionality, for example, lived experience, carer/communication partner etc.
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
- Relevance of Title
- Connection to Current Research or Practice
- Presentation approach
- Clarity of Aims
- Appropriateness of Format and Duration
- Contribution to the Field
- Representation of lived experience and low-income settings
- Inclusion of funding, ethics, and collaborators (where applicable)
Accessibility
Detailed presentation guidelines will be provided by organisers for accepted presentations to optimise accessibility for participants with vision and hearing loss.
Submit Your Abstract
👉 https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/stages/81801/submitter
Key Dates
- Abstract submission closes: May 15th, 2026
- Notification to authors: Beginning of July, 2026
- Programme release: To be announced
Be part of a global effort to share knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and support the deafblind community worldwide!