Join the conversation at UD26
The 8th International Universal Design Conference (UD26) will will take place from 4–6 November 2026 at the Galmont Hotel, Galway City, Ireland.
The Call for Contributions is open until 8 April 2026.
Don't miss this opportunity to share your unique perspective with hundreds of universal design and accessibility practitioners, researchers, academics and policymakers.
Why speak at UD26?
- Share your work with an international audience
- Connect with leading experts and practitioners
- Contribute to shaping conversations on the future of universal design
- Be part of a vibrant interdisciplinary community
Who do we want to hear from?
Submissions are invited from a broad range of contributors, including:
- Practitioners
- Policymakers
- Academics
- Early-career researchers
- PhD candidates
- Students
What we are looking for
We welcome contributions including:
- Practical projects
- Case studies
- Design interventions
- Implementation strategies, and lessons learned
- Examples of best practice
- Scientific/academic papers
- Workshops and posters
Presented (in person) at UD26 in any of the following formats:
- 15-minute presentations with 5 minutes for questions and answers
- Posters
- Workshops
What to do next:
- Read our conference themes, submission guidelines and key dates on our Call for Contributions web page
- Create your account using the ConfTool
- Submit your contribution for consideration by 8 April 2026.
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us at: UD26@nda.ie
About the event
UD26 will take place from 4–6 November 2026 at the The Galmont Hotel in Galway City, Ireland.
Since 2012, the International Conference on Universal Design has served as a recognised platform for sharing research, innovative practice, and lived experience across disciplines.
UD26 will continue this tradition by creating a dynamic forum for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and networking among the global Universal Design community.
We look forward to welcoming you to Galway with a céad míle fáilte (one hundred thousand welcomes).
Logo of the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design at the National Disability Authority, UD26 and University of Galway