On behalf of the Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AusACPDM) we invite and welcome you to the 13th AusACPDM biennial conference hosted from Hobart, Tasmania, traditional lands of the Muwinina and Palawa people, Australia 3-7 March, 2026.

The conference theme Transforming Care Across Oceans has been adopted to embrace many meanings for the AusACPDM. We recognise the host city of Hobart will require travel across many oceans for our attendees. This distance reminds us of our important work to engage, collaborate, share and translate our work widely for the biggest impact. The ocean also defines the AusACPDM regionality from Australia, New Zealand and all Pacific Nations in Oceania and our reach in education, research and practice with the world of disability. In order to transform care, we must embody the values and visions of our Academy. Treating people with developmental disabilities and their families, First Nation’s people, each other and the environment with respect, ensuring that we respond to families’ needs, requests and priorities. We invite you to connect, communicate and collaborate, before, during and after the conference to see how you can transform your care for people with disabilities across your ocean.

Our scientific program is starting to be developed in partnership with professionals across many disciplines and families and people with developmental disability. The program will offer a broad range of cutting-edge international research, best practice interventions, knowledge translation and inclusion, from both high and low resource settings.

After the success of our 2024 conference, we are excited to once again offer a fully hybrid conference. You will be able to attend in person or virtually – whatever is most beneficial for you.

For those travelling across oceans to join us in person, we are aiming to reduce our carbon footprint. If you choose to join us in person we invite you to help us do this by reducing avoidable greenhouse gas emissions and waste, plus compensating through carbon offsetting. We will help you take on this mission – stay tuned for updates on the website. This is a very special part of the world, and we must leave no footprints at the end of the conference.

You will see changes on the website as we develop the program and we will continue to update you via e-zines and web notices. Please put the Conference website on your ‘quick-links’ and sign up for our e-zines to keep informed.

We look forward to working, learning and collaborating with you.

Gaela Kilgour

Co-Chair

Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre

Leanne Sakzewski

Co-Chair

Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre